NPR's "Hidden Brain" episode Why Nobody Feels Rich illustrates how the awareness of inequality is a central psychological experience with a multitude of consequences.
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II. Blog Articles and Podcast Recordings |
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IV. Virtual Seminars on Saturday, April 17, 2021* |
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The Men's Group Seminar: Taking Things Too Personally
At one time or another, most of us have been told, You're taking it too personally. But I must admit I was still surprised to learn of a TED Talk on the subject (entitled "How Not to Take Things Personally") by actor/producer Frederik Imbo that has gained over 6 million views! For those of you who may take things personally, or too personally, the predominant message from the self-help world is that there is some kind of over-reaction on your part, and that what seems to have been directed specifically at you, is really not. Yet, over the years, when discussing these kinds of situations with my patients who are confronted with circumstances including termination from a job, being broken up with, or slighted in overt and significant ways, many end up saying, "just how I am supposed to not take it personally?!" The psychology underlying the notion of taking things too personally appears much more complex than what the cliché would have us like to believe. What is the threshold between taking things personally vs. too personally? And what about approaching the topic from an entirely different angle, i.e., are there things we should take personally that, for whatever reason, we do not? In the next virtual meeting of the Men's Group Seminar on Saturday, April 17, 2021 (10:15 to 11:30 AM), we will unpack the notion of taking things too personally with an eye toward distilling the most important takeaways. Some topics we will broach include hypersensitivity to criticism; common tendencies of those who take things too personally; the "it's not about you" perspective; and the role of perceived intentionality in our reactions. We will also consider the arguments of those who champion the less popular position of the need to take things personally.
To register for this upcoming virtual seminar, please see the directions below.
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The Relationship Group Seminar: The Peak-End Rule
There has been increasing interest in how peak-end theory, a phenomenon from cognitive science, may be applied to conflict resolution in couples. Peak-end theory suggests that our memory of events, and the degree to which we feel more or less resolved about an event, is largely based on two factors: (1) the "peak" emotional component of the event, and (2) the overall mood or tone at end of the experience. That is to say, how the event or situation began and all the nuanced details and phases of the experience impact one's overall feeling about what happened less so than the peak moment and the predominant feelings when the situation ended. Psychological researchers and clinicians believe that the peak-end rule can significantly influence the nature of conflict in couples and ultimately reduce the damage conflict can have on one or both partners. In the next virtual meeting of the Relationship Group Seminar on Saturday, April 17, 2021 (11:45 AM to 1:00 PM), we will explore how conflict in couples most commonly manifests and the ways in which couples attempt resolution. We will discuss the importance of recognizing and managing peak moments during conflict and consider the most effective ways of ending conflictual experiences.
To register for this upcoming virtual seminar, please see the directions below.
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The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group
This therapy group utilizes the emerging dynamics among group members, and between the group members and facilitator, as a basis from which to examine one's characteristic ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others. Our next virtual group session will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 (1:15 to 2:30 PM). The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group is a therapeutic experience and entry occurs only after a pre-group screening interview.
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* Registration Directions: If you would like to attend the virtual meeting of the Men's Group Seminar and/or the Relationship Group Seminar on April 17, 2021, please RSVP to me at 949-338-4388 or jt@jamestobinphd.com on or before Thursday, April 15, 2021. The fee is $25.00 (payable before entering the virtual meeting) and informed consent for participation in this telehealth event must be completed prior to the seminars. Please note that the Men's Group Seminar and the Relationship Group Seminar are psychoeducational in nature, not therapeutic, and do not constitute psychotherapy or counseling.
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