Gently Down The Stream

Navigating the Literary Labyrinth

Category: psychology

human needs and desires

behavioural science / psychology / Social Science

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Human needs and desires explored with Maslow’s theory.

Man is a perpetually wanting animal, no question about that. It is interesting to know what precisely prompts or motivates humans to behave in a particular manner at any given point of time. The explanation would be plenty and descriptive. The experts from different domains, like the evolutionary biologists or the psychologists or the philosophers, would have their share of insights and knowledge, deciphering the same.  This post is a glimpse into Abraham Maslow’s views and Hierarchy of needs theory, and his perspective on human needs and desires. Goal-based motivation The Squirrel is threatening to take down the internet connection...

Caveat to Conformity and Obedience

behavioural science / Psychological Experiments / psychology / Social Science

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Conformity, obedience and relevant studies.

Evolution taught that belonging is the safest way for survival and to fit in any group, conformity and obedience is the best bet instead of being different from the rest. Animal conformity as social learning The roots of conformity and obedience are deep and vast. As evidence suggests, it’s presence is seen in other species of animals and very young humans. The conformity or imitation in nonhuman is studied by various biologists suggesting that imitation is the basis for cultural evolution, cultural transmission of learning and tool formation. Monkey see monkey do A chimp is likely to copy an action...

paying attention to inattentional blindness

behavioural science / psychology / Social Science

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Pay attention to inattentional blindness

Pay attention is one of the aptly composed phrases, which needs to be earnestly explored, more so than ever in this tech-friendly era, where chances of getting distracted by are enormous. The surge and complexity of modern life are overpowering to render individuals blind and deaf to the things that occur around them. Not wide, but a tunnel vision We hold on to the mistaken belief that we pay enough attention to, and therefore should notice and remember the world around us much more than we do. Looking without seeing Have you ever thought of how we perceive, remember and...

honesty a sinking social trait

behavioural science / Interesting Facts / psychology / Social Science

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Honesty, a sinking social trait

We come across reports of deception and corruption almost every day that it doesn’t affect or surprise us anymore. The news varies from the trivial accounts of towels being stolen from hotel rooms to profound large-scale financial scandals.   How as a society, or as a country, we came to be tainted by this much widespread dishonesty? How we see ourselves  We consider ourselves to be honest, honourable people—rational thinkers with a built-in moral compass and the capacity of understanding of what’s right and wrong. The illusion of one’s morality  Do you think that the dishonesty we witness in our society...

behavioural science / cognitive dissonance / fables and sayings

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Cognitive dissonance in sour grapes

People generally use the saying “Sour grapes “ as a disdain expression to point out disapprovingly of those opportunities that slipped through their fingers or to mention the unfulfilled goals and dreams. While their mind may be reeling under unpleasantness and envy, outwardly people balance their behaviour in a manner that reduces their inner turmoil. A peek into the Aesop’s fable. Not intending to narrate the whole story of Fox and grapes here, but in a nutshell, once the fox realised that the mouth-watering “sweet” grapes were not quite attainable, he gives up his efforts, muttering “sour grapes “ and...