As humans we live in our Minds

As humans we live in our

Minds

The Mind is its own place

Milton

The mind is its own place

And in itself

can make

a hell of heaven

or a heaven of hell

Three Functions of Mind

Dimensions of Mind – Thinking Feelings – Desires

Dimensions of the Mind

Cognitive Dimension

Affective Dimension

Thinking – Feeling – Wanting – Action

Cognition & Affect

Four Examples – Thinking – Feeling – Action

If I think that I don’t need a college degree to get a good job, I will feel satisfied with a high school education. Therefore I will not pursue higher education.

If I feel humiliated in the classroom because I think I have been treated unfairly by the teacher, I will avoid actively participating in group discussions

Four Examples – Thinking – Feeling – Action

If I think that learning should be easy, I will feel frustrated when it is difficult. Therefore I will avoid difficult learning situations

If I value what I am learning, I think that it is relevant to my life. Therefore I will feel excited about learning

Something I feel strongly about

Think of something you feel very strongly about.

The powerful emotion I feel is…

The thinking that leads to this powerful emotion is…

As a result of the thinking and emotion, I want to…

Thinking Feeling Wanting Doing – arrows between them

Feelings – Desires change through thinking

Webster’s Definition of Egocentric

Egocentric (as defined by Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary):

Having little or no regard for interests, beliefs or attitudes other than one’s own; self-centered.

Egocentric Thinking

Humans do not naturally consider the rights and needs of others.

Humans do not naturally appreciate the point of view of others.

Humans become explicitly aware of egocentric thinking only if specially trained to do so.

“The world would be a lot better place if everyone else just thought like me.”

Two Motives of Egocentric Thinking: Get what it wants, Validate its thinking

Thoughts, Feelings, Desires – Rational or Irrational Chart

The “Successful” Ego

Though egocentric thinking is flawed, it can be successful in achieving what it is motivated to achieve.

We see many persons of power and status in the world – successful politicians, lawyers, businesspeople, and others that are skilled in getting what they want and are able to rationalize unethical behavior with great sophistication.

Successful Ego Examples:

Corporate Executives ensure that expected earnings of the company or overstated

Corporate Executives that spend money frivolously

Educators who justify practices by saying “It is best for students.”

“If I didn’t do it, someone else would.”

“Mine is better, because, because, because…”

The “Unsuccessful” Ego

Defensiveness Irritable Anger Depression Resentment Indifference Alienation