Psychology Module 1: The Collective Self

Study Notes

Represents individual subjective experiences and uniqueness.
Composed of traits, behaviors, hobbies, interests, aspirations, and goals.
Distinguishes a person from others and operates independently of relationships and group memberships.

Tripartite Composition: Encompasses cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects.
Thoughts: Include various mental activities such as wishes, plans, predictions, judgments, and memories. May consist of words, images, or sensory experiences.
System 1 and System 2 Thinking:
- System 1: Fast, intuitive, emotional, and automatic, needing less cognitive effort.
- System 2: Slow, deliberate, reflective, analytical, and complex, requiring more effort and attention.

Defined as strong conscious mental reactions, like anger or fear.
Basic Emotions: Seven fundamental emotions characterized by strong subjective experiences.

Schachter-Singer Theory: Emotions arise from two components:
- Physiological Arousal: Body’s physical response (e.g., heart rate increases).
- Cognitive Interpretation: Understanding the cause of physiological changes based on environmental context.

Magnification and Minimization: Distortion where situations are viewed in extreme terms, either exaggerated or trivialized.
Arbitrary Inferences: Drawing conclusions without supporting evidence, leading to negative thoughts like "catastrophizing" or "mind reading."
"Should" Statements: Focus on rigid expectations and rules that may not align with actual situations.

Utilize System 1 and System 2 thinking in decision-making and understanding emotions in various scenarios, like feeling threatened while walking alone at night.