As humans we live in our Minds The

As humans we live in our Minds

The mind is its own place And in itself can make a hell of heaven or a heaven of hell Milton The Mind is its own place

Dimensions of the Mind Cognitive Dimension Affective Dimensions of Mind – Thinking Feelings – Desires

Thinking – Feeling – Wanting – Action

Cognition & Affect

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 Four Examples – Thinking – Feeling – Action

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… Something I feel strongly about

Thinking Feeling Wanting Doing – arrows between them

Feelings – Desires change through thinking

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. Webster’s Definition of Egocentric

Egocentric Thinking v Humans do not naturally consider the rights and needs of others. v Humans do not naturally appreciate the point of view of others. v 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 v Though egocentric thinking is flawed, it can be successful in achieving what it is motivated to achieve. v 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: v Corporate Executives ensure that expected earnings of the company or overstated v Corporate Executives that spend money frivolously v Educators who justify practices by saying “It is best for students. ” v “If I didn’t do it, someone else would. ” v “Mine is better, because, because…”

The “Unsuccessful” Ego v v v v Defensiveness Irritable Anger Depression Resentment Indifference Alienation