All About Psychology Newsletter
Haven’t We Met Before? On Doppelgangers And Perception. The Virtual Barber Shop. Persons or Science? A Philosophical Question. Asking for a friend.
A very warm welcome to the latest edition of the All About Psychology newsletter—the official newsletter of All-About-Psychology.com, a website providing comprehensive information and resources for psychology students and educators since 2008.
Haven’t We Met Before? On Doppelgangers And Perception
Imagine finding not one but three lookalikes who could easily pass as your twin! This article dives into the fascinating world of doppelgängers and explores why some people seem to have “twin strangers.” From the phenomenon of face blindness to the extraordinary skills of super-recognizers, it uncovers how our unique face-recognition abilities shape our perception of resemblance. Could there really be someone out there who looks just like you? Read the article in full here to discover the psychology behind lookalikes and what "face space" tells us about identity and perception.
The Virtual Barber Shop
If you've already come across the virtual barber shop on YouTube, you'll know what to expect and appreciate just how cool it is. If you haven't experienced the virtual barber shop before, you'll love it, but before you let Luigi loose on your hair, a word or two to explain what it's all about.
This excellent audio clip produced by QSound Labs which you are about to hear is an example of a binaural recording. Binaural means to hear with 2 ears and as such a binaural recording allows you to listen to sound the way your brain processes the acoustic information it receives.
What's So Special About A Binaural Recording?
Well, according to Aaron over at the Binaural Airwaves Blog, "...it is the most perceptually realistic recording technique in the world for humans. By capturing sound the way we hear as humans, our brains can most easily understand the subtle complexity of the sound and make sense of it."
How To Listen To The Virtual Barber Shop For Full Effect
1. It's essential you listen through headphones.
2. Turn the volume up.
3. Close your eyes while you listen.
4. Eliminate all other sound (kids, pets, TV etc.).
You can listen to the virtual barber shop via the YouTube video below but for maximum effect I'd recommend downloading the virtual barber audio file.
Psychology Classic
Fascinating insight into the thinking of one of the most influential and eminent psychologists of the 20th Century. Carl Rogers describes this particular paper as "a highly personal document, written primarily for myself, to clarify an issue which has become increasingly puzzling." An issue he describes as follows:
As I have acquired experience as a therapist, carrying on the exciting, rewarding experience of psychotherapy, and as I have worked as a scientific investigator to ferret out some of the truth about therapy, I have become increasingly conscious of the gap between these two roles. The better therapist I have become (as I believe I have), the more I have been vaguely aware of my complete subjectivity when I am at my best in this function, and as I have become a better investigator, more "hardheaded" and more scientific (as I believe I have) I have felt an increasing discomfort at the distance between the rigorous objectivity of myself as scientist and the almost mystical subjectivity of myself as therapist.
You can read this classic paper in full via the following link.
Persons or Science? A Philosophical Question
Psychology Q&A
Question submitted to the All About Psychology Q&A page, followed by a submitted answer.
Is there a term for when people pretend to get advice for a "friend" when the advice is really for them? And what are the psychological issues at play when someone is reluctant to admit that they need help with a problem?
The behavior of seeking advice for oneself but disguising it as seeking advice for a "friend" is commonly referred to as "proxy seeking" or "proxy question asking." This term describes the act of presenting a personal issue or concern as if it pertains to someone else to maintain a sense of anonymity or to avoid vulnerability. Proxy seeking is not uncommon, and it can be an indication of certain psychological issues at play:
Fear of Judgment or Stigma: Some individuals may be reluctant to admit they need help due to a fear of being judged, criticized, or stigmatized for their problems. By posing the question as if it's for a friend, they can gauge reactions without revealing their own struggles directly.
Protecting Self-Image: Seeking help can be perceived as a sign of weakness by some individuals. They might be concerned about preserving a self-image of competence and self-sufficiency, so they use the "friend" as a buffer to avoid any potential negative impact on their self-esteem.
Emotional Avoidance: Addressing personal problems can be emotionally challenging, and some individuals may attempt to avoid facing their emotions or vulnerabilities by focusing on someone else's situation.
Difficulty Expressing Vulnerability: Admitting one's need for help or support requires being vulnerable, which can be uncomfortable for some people. Using a proxy allows them to indirectly explore their concerns while maintaining emotional distance.
Fear of Dependency: People may fear becoming overly reliant on others or being seen as burdensome. Asking for advice for a "friend" can be a way to explore their own issues while maintaining a sense of independence.
Lack of Self-Awareness: In some cases, individuals may not fully recognize their own emotional struggles or the need for help. By focusing on a "friend's" situation, they may indirectly gain insight into their own challenges.
It's important for counselors and psychologists to be attuned to proxy seeking behavior during counseling sessions. Encouraging open and non-judgmental communication can help create a safe space for clients to share their concerns honestly. Establishing a strong therapeutic alliance based on trust and empathy can also encourage clients to be more forthcoming about their own experiences.
When someone is reluctant to admit they need help, the counselor can use therapeutic techniques such as active listening, empathy, and gentle exploration of their concerns to help them feel understood and supported. Gradually, the client may feel more comfortable revealing their true needs and challenges, allowing for a deeper and more effective therapeutic process.
Proxy seeking can be a starting point for addressing deeper psychological issues and fostering personal growth and self-awareness. By creating a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic environment, counselors can help clients feel more comfortable opening up about their struggles and working toward positive change.
Psychology Q & A is open to everyone and is designed as a space for those with an interest in psychology to both give and receive help. So, if you have a psychology-related question, feel free to ask! And if you believe you can answer any of the questions posted, I encourage you to share your insights. Please note that any content generated by psychology Q & A is provided for informational purposes only. It does not signify that I endorse the material provided or the views expressed. None of the information within psychology Q & A should be considered a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Thanks for Reading
That's it for this newsletter but before you go, I'll leave you with Jane Austen nailing the concept of humblebragging in Pride and Prejudice, first published in 1813!
Nothing is more deceitful, said Darcy, than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.
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