You attract what you are, not what you want. The Universe always balances itself out. Hence, Yin and Yang is everywhere we look and everywhere we cannot see.
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The ‘Triune Brain’ theory by Neuroscientist Paul MacLean — an evolutionary perspectiveThe ‘Triune Brain’ theory by Neuroscientist Paul MacLean — an evolutionary perspective
In the 1960s, American neuroscientist Paul MacLean formulated the ‘Triune Brain’ model, which is based on the division of the human brain into three distinct regions. MacLean’s model suggests the human brain is organized into a hierarchy, which itself is based on an evolutionary view of brain development. The three regions are as follows:
- Reptilian or Primal Brain (Basal Ganglia)
- Paleomammalian or Emotional Brain (Limbic System)
- Neomammalian or Rational Brain (Neocortex)
At the most basic level, the brainstem (Primal Brain) helps us identify familiar and unfamiliar things. Familiar things are usually seen as safe and preferable, while unfamiliar things are treated with suspicion until we have assessed them and the context in which they appear. For this reason, designers, advertisers, and anyone else involved in selling products tend to use familiarity as a means of evoking pleasant emotions.
Fact. Truth. Belief. They are related but distinct. Here’s a clear explanation showing how they differ and interact:Fact. Truth. Belief. They are related but distinct. Here’s a clear explanation showing how they differ and interact:
1. Fact
Definition:
A fact is something that is objectively real and can be proven to be true. It exists independently of what anyone thinks or believes.
Example:
- It is a fact that Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere.
Key Points:
- Facts don’t change based on opinion.
- They can be verified with evidence (e.g. scientific data, observation, reliable records).
- Facts are the foundation upon which truth claims and beliefs can be tested.
2. Truth
Definition:
Truth is a quality of a statement or belief that accurately reflects reality or fact.
Example:
- “Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere” is a true statement because it corresponds with the fact.
Key Points:
- Truth depends on alignment with facts.
- Truth is often expressed in language or claims (“That’s true”, “That’s not true”).
- Something can be true even if no one believes it (e.g. the Earth orbited the Sun even when most people thought otherwise).
3. Belief
Definition:
A belief is something a person thinks or accepts as true, whether or not it actually is.
Example:
- Someone might believe that kangaroos can be kept as pets in all Australian states — but that belief isn’t necessarily true or factual.
Key Points:
- Beliefs are subjective — they vary between individuals and cultures.
- A belief can be true or false, depending on whether it aligns with facts.
- People often act based on their beliefs, regardless of whether they are accurate.
How They Interact
- A belief can be true or false:
→ If your belief aligns with fact, it’s true.
→ If not, it’s false — even if sincerely held. - Truth depends on fact:
→ A statement is true if it correctly describes a fact. - Facts stand alone:
→ They are not changed by belief or opinion.
Albert Ellis’s “Irrational Belief’s about Life” and Self-stereotypingAlbert Ellis’s “Irrational Belief’s about Life” and Self-stereotyping
Albert Ellis, in his Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), identified a number of dysfunctional beliefs that people often hold. Ellis intentionally adopts extreme views to emphasize how people often exaggerate their perspectives irrationally. He referred to this tendency as “awfulizing,” where we negatively overgeneralise situations. This behaviour can stem from a strong desire for certainty, causing us to perceive things in extreme terms rather than viewing them as part of a nuanced spectrum. Consequently, this leads to the formation of self-stereotypes.
A self-stereotype refers to the process of applying generalised beliefs or stereotypes about a group to oneself, especially when one identifies as part of that group. For instance, if someone belongs to a specific cultural or social group (gay men) and internalises the commonly held stereotypes about that group (partying and casual sex), they may unconsciously start viewing and behaving in ways that align with those generalisations.
