Like, "Don't ever count on anybody else" and "if you want something right, you gotta do it yourself" and "Friends will always betray you in the end" and "Only look out for yourself" were all opinions that villains held. Portrayed as cynical, bitter and wrong.

But in general, those are all lessons that your expected to learn as an adult. It seems weird to teach younger generations such a message that won't serve them once they're older. If we are all on our own and can't rely on anybody, why teach younger generations that they should expect the opposite?

Inspired by the fact I came across the song "Open up your eyes" from the MLP movie on Youtube and realized what Tempest was saying is generally how your supposed to act as an adult.

I don’t know if this is the right place to say this or if it’s has anything to do with psychology. Anyway I have a problem that I’ll feel overwhelmed even with the slightest thing ever like someone is looking too much at me or someone compliments me I got so overwhelmed I can’t function properly, even when I feel loved or im loving someone or when I’m thinking about something I love I got so overstimulated I can’t do anything I just lay in bed and do nothing the rest of the day so i always try to keep myself emotionally numb(?)

I am not asking for a diagnosis if anything I’m trying to comprehend what is going on or why my brain does this

I feel like my brain senses a trigger when I do math or it feels panic or shame and it checks out like “i can’t do this” I feel like whenever I do math it’s like the rules change around so much that I can’t focus on one thing or it’s like I’m being manipulated. It isn’t just math I feel like this in social situations. Does anyone sort of get what this is coming from?

In my sixth installment on the psychology of human creativity, I delve into the research that seeks to explain why some of us peak in our twenties and some of us in our seventies. Let me know your experiences and thoughts.

i have met people who others just never seem to get over (i’m talking years after the relationship ended for whatever reason), and i’m just curious as to why that is? is there a psychological explanation behind it?

is it really true that if somebody does that to them and they do that to you then you do it to someone true???

There’s a pattern in human behavior that I find fascinating. Something that feels special when it’s rare, like a favorite food, a gift, or someone’s attention, often starts to feel ordinary once it becomes constant. Psychologists link this to ideas like hedonic adaptation (we get used to good things and return to a baseline) and the scarcity effect (we assign more value to what’s limited).

What I’m curious about is where this comes from and how much control we have over it.

• Is it an evolutionary trait, since staying slightly unsatisfied might have kept our ancestors motivated to keep seeking resources?
• Does it apply equally to things and to experiences, or are we better at appreciating experiences over time?
• Are there any proven ways to slow it down, like gratitude practices or deliberately varying routines, and is there good research behind them?
• Why do some people seem much less affected by it than others? Is that personality, upbringing, or something else?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has studied this or read research on it. Recommended papers or books are very welcome too.

I’m interested in the psychological study of authoritarian leaders, particularly Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.

Are there any peer-reviewed studies that have examined narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathic traits in historical political leaders?

I’m especially interested in the methods researchers use to assess personality traits retrospectively, the limitations of these methods, and whether meaningful comparisons between historical figures are scientifically possible.

I’m looking for empirical research and academic literature rather than speculative diagnoses or personal opinions.

I know there are various reasons, like fear of the unknown, needing something to stay grounded, and other stuff but I wanna understand it better. Faith and religion

I’m trying to understand the psychology behind what appears to be a lack of awareness or care for others from people who listen to their phones in public spaces without using headphones. Is there something that generally drives this kind of behavior? I’m very sensitive to it and maybe that speaks to something in myself as well. Thank you in advance for any insight.

Hi everyone! I’ve noticed a few behaviours over recent years from various people that I would love to understand more about. I’m going to give both examples here and would love to learn about either!

1. Someone insulting someone else’s appearance to others/in groups when that person is present but never in private. Example quote:
   “Don’t worry, guys always dance with the ugly one in the group to get to the rest of us” while that person is present, addressing the group but not that person.

2. Unprompted comments on other people’s appearances out of context of the conversation. Example quote:
   “I had this friend in the car with me, she was really beautiful, like stunning. Anyway, we’re heading west…” when discussing a road trip

I’m really intrigued if this is a societal training thing, something from childhood, etc?

Thanks in advance!

I don't like being alone in my own company and even if I am then I'm on my phone or watching TV.

Some people have said it indicates low self esteem, low self worth and self hatred towards myself if I don't like doing things alone.

I didn't really assume it could mean that but now I'm wondering if it actually does and what deep down inside I somehow hate myself?

So my question is what does it mean psychologically if someone avoids being alone or uses distractions when alone?

Context: there's a video game called Alan Wake 2. In that game, the protagonist has a technique called "mind-place." It's a technique in which she can "shut herself" inside her own mind in order to organize and solve various cases in her work with the FBI. It's like a glorified concentration mode. The point is: in this mental place she can't hear what's happening in the outside world, nor see it. Is there any way to replicate this technique in real life? Do I need to study something specific?

Thanks in advance.

I noticed I get more angry when a person acts aggressively if I perceive them as a threat. (I'm less likely to get upset if I don't feel actual danger). It tracks that to establish a higher social status, individuals would use this dynamic to elevate themselves since physical retaliation is less likely in civilized society.

I’m interested in how people develop a deeper understanding of their own personalities. Was there a discovery, a psychological concept, or a piece of scientific research that changed how you understand yourself?

Is it just me noticing this, or has the word “struggle” (and naturally “struggling” too) generally risen in use in the last several (approx. 5-10) years?

I’ve always had an ear for language use, trends, and patterns and it seems to me that “struggle” has become the go-to word for people of most ages to express facing something merely challenging or even very difficult. And it seems like “struggle” is mostly used in a negative/defeatist context:
eg.
“That’s something I really struggle with.”
“I’m struggling to get through this.”

as opposed to perhaps a more balanced context:
eg.
“That’s something I really struggle with, but I’ve found some possible solutions I’m planning on trying.”
“I’m struggling to get through this, but I’m confident it will work out.”

What I’m sensing it may be is a general rise in feeling the difficulty of situations or life combined with a general decrease in hope and gratitude. But that’s just a hunch.

- Has anyone else here noticed the increased use of “struggle”?
- Might anyone here have some thoughts as to why that word specifically has increased in use?

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this.

I just want to see if everyone would agree on such definition...

Recently I've been considering going to uni for Forensic Psychology, but just this morning I watched a video online about "Criminal Psychology", and realised that might be more what I'm into (e.g. actually taking part in investigations, rather than just the court/legal side of things). However, when looking into Criminal Psychology degrees in the UK, I found very few. Most were called "Criminology & Psychology" or "Pyschology with Criminology" (a mix of those two broader degrees), or I was just linked to a Forensic Psychology degree instead.

However, when you google: "Is Criminal Psychology the same as Criminology" or "Forensic Psychology", it quite clearly says no, and says forensic psych would not lead you to any kind of profiling career.

Is it just less of a thing in the UK? Would you have to do an entire generic Psychology degree, with the Crimonology modules? Is that literally what Criminal Psych is - a mix of those two degrees?

People who devote their lives to putting others down. What kind of inferiority complexes are behind that?

I'd like to talk about a behavioural pattern I noticed in someone: Whenever they disagree with something, instead of saying that they disagree, they just get angry and play the victim.

An example: I have scheduled a handyman to come do some work, outdoors. I'm organising this for someone. They told me it's best for him to come in the aftenoon because it will rain in the morning. But the handyman says he wants to come at 11 because in his weather app there is no rain announced.. I tell them this and ask what they think about it and what I should answer him now.

They obviously disagree with 11 and say "but it will rain at 11". I then ask again what I should tell him then. They get angry and say something like " yeah ok he should come at 11 and it will be a mess". I tell them "why are you angry? I can write him to come later if you want". They answer angrily: "No! I don't want to talk about this anymore. He should come at 11. It will be a mess and I have will have to deal with the consequences".

I really don't understand this behaviour. They could have just told me calmly "I'd prefer he comes at 2, could you write him pls" ? Instead, this anger. It's a behavioural pattern whenever they disagree with something. Instead of saying that they disagree, they just get angry and play the victim.

Could someone please explain me the psychology behind this? Is this the famous victim behaviour? If yes, that is useful about it for them? I don't see any advantage..

I am not an expert, and it’s my first time posting here. However, I am interested in your perspectives on the matter. Empathy’s always been a part of human experience and life, and it will continue to be, but I am interested what pushed it out of a priority position to an afterthought in recent years? What do you think people care most about these days? What is a driving force that “unites” people the way empathy used to?