Continuing with Episode II of my series on the psychology of Star Wars, this week Anakin’s son, Luke, deals with difficult emotions, like his father did, but in a totally different way. He develops a strong emotional center thanks to social connections and support.
Episode I: How the Jedi Created the Anakin Darth Vader Transformation
It all starts with Anakin, the Boy Wonder of his time. It’s less about science fiction and more about something so many of us have trouble addressing: emotions.
Another Case in the Annals of Injustice: An Open Letter to a Montana Judge
A Montana judge in the Cherice Moralez rape case not only allows the rapist to receive minimal punishment but also blames the victim. Perhaps an open letter detailing his mistakes will help him understand rape culture, acknowledge his own role in it and do better.
The Challenges of Being Gifted
Although there are differing opinions on what constitutes giftedness, one common definition is obtaining a score of 130 or higher on an IQ assessment like the Stanford-Binet or the WISC. That score is 2 standard deviations from the mean of 100 and roughly 3-5% of the population falls within that area. Thus, one reason why gifted people often feel very different is because they are. But there are signs to look for even without considering test scores. Gifted people tend to exhibit faster development, heightened sensitivity, originality and a high level of intellect. Being gifted is wonderful but it also …
Pop Goes the Culture: Giving Generations a Way to Connect
In addition to missing the shared popular culture, the electronic generations are missing out on genuine interactions and social skill development. As a result, they may struggle to find their shared identity, and figure out how to come together when an uncertain future dictates that they need to do so.
Time is Not On Our Side Because We’re All “Mom Enough”
Doctors of all stripes (unfortunately, this most definitely includes psychologists) have blamed moms for everything, from causing schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, to chastising them for being ambitious (stage moms), being overprotective (helicopter moms), and emasculating male children (mama’s boys). Some moms even get blamed for the father’s addictions or abuse because they didn’t fight hard enough to stop it.
Overscheduling and Anxiety Go Hand in Hand
Given this emphasis on accomplishments, overscheduling seems to many parents like the right thing to do. However, the side effects to this are disturbing. Physicians are seeing a rise in overuse injuries in younger kids and mental health professionals are reporting an increase in anxiety at earlier ages.
Glee-ful Conversations With Children About Diversity
For all its faults (and there are many), Glee is a show that isn’t afraid to take chances. It does not shy away from controversial topics, nor does it depict an unrealistic view of who comprises our population. Instead, it showcases diversity of all kinds in a natural way, versus presenting it through Very Special Episodes.
Life Defined: The Meaning of Life
Although popular culture is often banal, there is worthwhile meaning embedded in this television show, including some Zen lessons on letting go of resentment, seeking justice instead of revenge, managing anger, achieving acceptance when times seem dark, and recognizing our life connection with others.
Our Relationship to Conflict: Lessons from The Pacific
One of the best things I’ve learned during my training in counseling psychology is that there are healthier reactions to conflict. One such reaction is to gain understanding and empathy for the other person or situation.