Understanding Holistic Development

Holistic Development

• Focuses on the complete well-being of an individual, integrating emotional, physical, social, and intellectual aspects.
• Emphasizes the interconnectedness of various dimensions of a person's life.

Origins of Holism

• Concept of holism and gestalt introduced by Jan C. Smuts in the 1962 book "Holism and Evolution".
• Holism in nature refers to the idea that natural systems and their properties should be viewed as wholes, not merely as a collection of parts.

Gestalt Psychology

• Defined by psychologists as a principle that emphasizes that the whole is different from the sum of its parts.

Contributions of Descartes

• Contributed to human understanding by emphasizing reason and the scientific method, laying groundwork for modern philosophy and psychology.

Importance of Holistic Perspective

• Viewing humans holistically allows for a comprehensive understanding of behavior, mental processes, and interactions that shape an individual’s experience.

Aspects of Holistic Development

• Five aspects include emotional, social, environmental, intellectual, and physical development, all contributing to a well-rounded individual.

Basic Emotions Research

• Paul Ekman identified seven basic emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, disgust, and contempt.

Classification of Emotions

• In 2014, the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Glasgow classified basic emotions into different categories based on physiological responses and psychological impact.

Definition of Emotion

• According to Smith (1973), emotion is defined as a complex psychological state involving three distinct components: a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response.

Feelings vs. Emotions

• Dr. Antonio R. Damasio differentiates between feelings as the conscious experience of emotions, which are fundamentally bodily responses.

Basic Human Drives

• Psychologists refer to basic human drives in terms of fundamental needs that motivate behavior, including survival, reproduction, and social connection.