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Understanding the Emotional and Psychological Impact of Divorce on Children

By General, Psychology

Children’s lives can be turned upside down with the divorce of their parents, and children have been known to react differently to this. Parents, on the other hand, need to know these effects in order to support their youth in such a time of distress.

Feelings of Loss and Grief

When children lose their families, there is an impending feeling of loss that they have to deal with, which is oftentimes overwhelming. This feeling by itself can cause anxiety and stress, particularly with the amalgamation of worrying about the transition along with the uncertainty of their future, relocation, etc. Children are also impacted heavily during times of parental conflict, which takes the feeling of loss further.

Anger, Resentment and Guilt

Children often love both parents equally, and with the divorce, they might develop resentment and anger towards either one of their parents or both. Young children take this a step further and believe that the need to search for a scapegoat for their separation makes them the reason behind it, which fuels more anger and rage inside them.

Behavioral Changes

Another dysfunction that stems out of aggressive behavior is the need to rebel against society as a means of coping with the trauma, sometimes leading to antisocial behavior—withdrawing from social interactions, which in turn fuels a feeling of loneliness. Children also tend to struggle with their academics because concentrating in the classroom becomes increasingly difficult with the amalgamation of social discomfort and stress.

Societal Interaction Issues and Future Relationships Could Develop Trust Issues

Divorce in unison, along with more than one needing to stop wanting the negotiations, might lead to feeling scared of abandonment.

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Impact of Cultural Differences on Psychology

By General, Psychology

Culture plays a vital role in shaping human psychology, thus creating behavioral, cognitive, or emotional differences among individuals. Psychology, embracing this global perspective, needs to understand the effect of culture on mental processes.

Culture offers the context by which individuals view their world. It defines the values, beliefs, and norms that will guide all actions. For instance, in many parts of Asia, collectivist cultures place emphasis on group harmony, family ties, and community welfare. In contrast, individualistic cultures in Western countries focus on personal achievement, independence, and self-expression. The cultural context will influence approaches to problem-solving, communication, and emotional regulation. People from collectivist cultures tend to suppress personal desires for the sake of group harmony, while those from individualistic cultures tend to prioritize personal fulfillment.

Culture also plays a part in mental illness. Conceptions of mental disorders and their signs also vary between cultures. In a way, where Western cultures can pathologize mental health illnesses, others place the etiology on spiritual and social planes. For example, where emotional displays are considered improper, depression could be portrayed in terms of bodily distress such as headache or general weakness. In such instances, diagnostic and treatment procedures have to be culture specific.

Cross-cultural psychology, which would explain the nuances of such variance, cautions against ethnocentrism when it comes to psychological science. Most of psychology’s research has been undertaken in WEIRD societies; therefore, theories devised from such works cannot be quite universally applicable, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs may hardly strike a cord in a place that puts community and dependency over self-realization.

Cultural competence is essential for effective psychological practice. Psychologists and researchers must consider clients’ backgrounds, including language, culture, traditions, and societal values. This understanding fosters trust and improves treatment outcomes, minimizing misdiagnosis.

In an interconnected world, the acknowledgment and respect of cultural differences are very important for advancing psychological research and practice. By embracing diversity, psychologists can develop inclusive frameworks that ensure equitable and accessible mental health care for all. Culture is not just a backdrop; it is a central element shaping human experience, and recognition of this is key to understanding the complexities of the human mind.

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THE ROLE OF NEUROTRANSMITTER IN EMOTIONAL REGULATION

By General, Psychology

Regulating or controlling emotions is important in survival; a lack of emotion regulation has an effect on both psychological and physical well-being, which can lead to anxiety, sadness, depression, stress, poor interpersonal relationships, and also in professional failure. Neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating emotions.

A neurotransmitter is a bodily chemical messenger that transmits signals between the neurons, glands, and muscles. Through inhibitory and excitatory neural activation, the neurotransmitter is released from a neuron to the presynaptic cleft and diffuses to the postsynaptic cleft. Postsynaptic neurons receive the signal and respond. Neurotransmitters have various roles along with mood regulation and reaction. Different neurotransmitters and their variety of roles not only play an individual’s emotion regulation but also a balanced interaction of multiple neurotransmitters. 

Serotonin, known as a pleasure neurotransmitter, plays an effective role in regulating mood, appetite, anxiety, and sleep. Irritability, depression, and anxiety are associated with low levels of serotonin in neurons. Antidepressants work by increasing the serotonin level in the brain to regulate the emotions. 

Dopamine is related to fear, anger, rewards, and feelings of pleasure. A high level of dopamine in the brain leads to schizophrenia. Dopamine often works with serotonin to balance emotions and play an important role in motivation. 

Gamma-aminobutyric acid helps to reduce anxiety and enhance relaxation. Low levels of GABA activity lead to insomnia and anxiety disorders. Glutamate is another neurotransmitter that regulates overall brain functions like learning and memory. The excess level of glutamate activity can lead to depression and other mood-related disorders. Both maintain a balance between excitation and relaxation. 

Endorphins are neurotransmitters known as natural painkillers that contribute to a sense of happiness and psychological well-being and are released during laughter and exercise. 

Norepinephrine contributes to regulating arousal, alertness, and attention. Has played both hormone and neurotransmitter messengers. Lack of norepinephrine is associated with symptoms like depression. 

Neurotransmitters play a pivotal role in defining the intrinsic process of emotion regulation. Each neurotransmitter conveys a supreme role, from serotonin’s stabilizing effect on mood to GABA’s relaxing properties and the effects of dopamine on motivation and reward. Ongoing advanced study and neuroscience research continue to uncover exclusive biochemical pathways, which can lead to innovative treatments and therapies to enhance emotional well-being. 

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The Psychology of Altruism: WHY DO WE HELP OTHERS?

By General, Psychology

Helping is an act of kindness. Assisting another person in the task they are primarily interested in; however, this can be executed upon request or voluntarily. Altruism is considered an act of selflessness where an individual chooses to help without expecting anything in return, in whatever form. Being a social animal who lives by the principles of survival of the fittest, the altruistic behavior contrasts with the nature of homosapiens. Yet, the scientific community has various aspects put forward to make the understanding of altruism easier for the layman. 

Kin Selection

Kitayama, in 1994, through research work, demonstrated how humans have an inclination to help those who share or exhibit the slightest genetic similarity with themselves. Evolutionary psychologists suggest that the altruistic tendency is deeply rooted, as the innate behavior to build networks, groups, and socialize relies on the basis of helping and trust. This would help promote group dynamics, reduce unhealthy competition, and foster social balance.

Empathy as a motivator

The empathy-altruism hypothesis explains how empathy becomes the strongest motivator of behavior. C Daniel Batson, father of the above-mentioned hypothesis, delineates the brain’s reward system functioning, explaining how oxytocin and dopamine create a helper’s high. This enables us to feel others’ pain and urges us to relieve them of the same. The principle of reciprocity and responsibility suggests that we help others based on what we may get in return as well as our willingness to help them. Keating and colleagues also discuss another plausibility of why people choose to help. It is simply the vicarious joy of helping others. It makes us feel good about ourselves.

Negative State Relief Model

With a great amount of consensus on all that is discussed above, there are contrasting views. Humans decide to help just to make them feel less burdened by the guilt that they did nothing. The supporters of this model state that empathy is not necessary for helping. Unhappiness drives helping behavior. The slightest disturbance in the psychological equilibrium pushes an individual to behave in order to attain balance. Irrespective of the ability to feel empathy, the innate tendency to feel hedonic does the job in these cases. 

If prosocial behavior is driven by internal gratification or external appreciation as motivating factors, does altruism exist in its true sense?

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