Psychoanalytic Theories News

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Individualistic Psychology and Group Behavior: Why Do Individuals Act Differently in Crowds?

Human behavior often changes in the presence of others. Individuals who appear calm, reserved, or cautious when alone may behave more boldly, emotionally, or even aggressively in crowds. Such transformations are commonly explained through the concept of group psychology, which assumes that individuals lose their personal characteristics and become absorbed into a collective mind. However, the individualistic psychology perspective challenges this assumption by arguing that groups do not possess an independent psychological existence. Instead, what is described as group behavior emerges from changes in individual cognitive, emotional, and perceptual processes within a social context. From this viewpoint, crowds do not override individual psychology; rather, they alter how individuals perceive responsibility, evaluate risk, interpret social cues, and regulate emotions. This article examines crowd behavior through the lens of individualistic psychology, focusing on how individual mental processes operate differently in collective settings. Drawing on everyday examples from Türkiye, the study aims to explain crowd-related behavioral changes in a clear and accessible manner while maintaining academic rigor.

Kadir Duman

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Piaget as a Key to Understanding the Child’s Mind

Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory explains how children actively construct knowledge through schemas, assimilation, accommodation, and equilibration. By outlining developmental stages and their educational implications, the theory shows why learning must align with cognitive readiness and remains central to constructivist education.

Kadir Duman

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

How Green Spaces Shape Well-Being

The places where people live may influence more than their physical health. Growing research in environmental psychology suggests that access to green spaces can also be associated with psychological well-being. New European evidence is examining how parks, vegetation and greener neighbourhoods shape people's everyday experiences of stress, connection and quality of life.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

The Psychology of Workplace Well-Being

Work is more than a source of income. It can provide structure, social connection, purpose and a sense of belonging, but workplace conditions can also create significant psychological pressure. New European research is placing greater emphasis on how workload, communication, job insecurity and organisational culture shape employees' mental well-being.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Social Media and Youth Happiness

Social media has become a central part of young people's everyday lives, but its relationship with happiness is more complicated than a simple question of screen time. New European and international research suggests that the effects of social media depend on how young people use these platforms, their social environment and the type of engagement they experience online.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Why Loneliness Is Rising in Europe

Loneliness is increasingly being understood not simply as a private emotional experience, but as a broader psychological and social issue. New European research shows that younger generations are particularly vulnerable, while changes in social life, digital communication, work patterns and community structures are reshaping how people experience connection.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Financial Hardship May Shape Cognitive Ageing

A long-term UK study suggests that persistent financial adversity during adulthood is associated with poorer cognitive performance in midlife and signs of later brain ageing.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Dopamine Alone May Not Explain Anhedonia

European researchers argue that anhedonia should no longer be understood as a single dopamine-related problem, calling for a more multidimensional approach to reward and motivation.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Psychiatric Diagnoses Show a Reliability Problem

A large international study led by researchers in Denmark found that psychiatrists agreed on the same diagnosis in only about 55% of cases, raising questions about psychiatric classification.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Social Jet Lag May Be Linked to Teen Anxiety

New research from the University of Southampton suggests that irregular sleep schedules between weekdays and weekends may be associated with higher anxiety levels among adolescents.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

How Uncertainty Shapes Human Behavior

Psychological uncertainty can influence emotions, decision-making and behavior. New research shows that uncertainty is not always harmful and may also support curiosity, attention and learning.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Rethinking Psychological Theory

Psychology is entering a period in which some of its most familiar concepts are being reconsidered. Rather than assuming that constructs such as emotion, personality, motivation, or intelligence have fixed meanings across people and situations, emerging theoretical work is asking whether psychological concepts are inherently dependent on context, language, culture and perspective.

Ipek Tuncer

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Development Theory divides human life into eight stages, each involving a psychosocial conflict that must be resolved. Positive resolution of these conflicts promotes healthy personality development and adaptation, while negative resolution can lead to psychological difficulties. The theory provides an important framework for understanding development, identity formation, and social adaptation across the entire lifespan, from childhood to old age.

Kadir Duman

Psychology · Psychoanalytic Theories

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s theory remains a central reference in motivational psychology due to its integrative perspective—bridging biological, psychological, and social dimensions.

Kadir Duman

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