A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @ jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @ thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @ thepsychologyofyour20s For business: [email protected]
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs functions as a flawed, oversimplified model that misrepresents the original intent of human motivation. The iconic pyramid structure, popularized by management consultants rather than Abraham Maslow himself, incorrectly suggests a linear progression of needs that gatekeeps self-actualization...
The nine-to-five work structure often feels inherently misaligned with human needs, leading to disillusionment and burnout, particularly for those whose personality types—such as analysts or explorers—thrive on autonomy rather than rigid routine. This lifestyle frequently results in "role engulfment," where professiona...
Superstition serves as a psychological mechanism for managing anxiety and uncertainty rather than a literal attempt to control outcomes. Rituals, ranging from knocking on wood to carrying lucky charms, provide a sense of agency and emotional regulation when individuals face unpredictable situations. While often dismiss...
Unrequited love often stems from powerful biological and psychological mechanisms rather than a simple lack of willpower. Dopamine, functioning as an anticipation chemical, creates addictive loops when combined with intermittent reinforcement, where inconsistent attention keeps the brain fixated on potential rewards. T...
Behavioral change requires moving beyond reliance on finite willpower and motivation, which often fail when faced with environmental and relational obstacles. Success hinges on building self-efficacy—the belief in one’s capability to overcome challenges—and creating tactical conditions that make desired behaviors easie...
Hobbies serve as a critical component of well-being, particularly for individuals in their twenties navigating the transition into career-focused adulthood. Beyond mere leisure, engaging in hobbies—whether casual, serious, or project-based—mitigates the stress of work-centric identities and provides necessary cognitive...
Peter Pan Syndrome manifests as a pathological fear of growing up, characterized by an avoidance of adult responsibilities, a lack of long-term planning, and a persistent desire for perpetual youth. Coined by psychologist Dr. Dan Kiley, this behavioral pattern often stems from overprotective or permissive parenting, wh...
Self-hatred functions as a maladaptive, internalized survival mechanism rather than a sustainable driver of success. Often rooted in childhood experiences of criticism or conditional affection, this internal narrative creates a cycle of perfectionism, anxiety, and self-sabotage that erodes long-term confidence and resi...
Cannabis consumption interacts directly with the human endocannabinoid system, influencing mood, appetite, and memory through the psychoactive effects of THC and the broader pharmacological profile of CBD. Individual responses vary significantly based on genetics, personality, and environmental context, often amplifyin...
Processing emotions effectively requires moving beyond intellectual understanding to fully experiencing feelings in their raw form. Many individuals remain emotionally stunted because they rely on "bodyguards"—secondary emotions like anger or jealousy—to mask deeper, more vulnerable states like fear or loss. Common avo...
Friendship fallouts represent a significant life-defining pain, often lacking the societal support structures afforded to romantic breakups. These conflicts typically manifest as slow fizzles, miscommunications, or intense blow-ups. Ego and the fear of vulnerability frequently prevent reconciliation, as individuals pri...
The pressure to be extraordinary in one's 20s creates a chronic sense of inadequacy, fueled by social media, the "gifted child" phenomenon, and a relentless drive for external validation. This pursuit often leads to achievement adaptation, where success fails to provide lasting satisfaction, ultimately killing organic ...
Anxiety functions as a survival mechanism rather than a path to fulfillment, causing the brain to prioritize threat detection and over-predict negative outcomes. This process, often fueled by fear generalization, creates a cycle where ambiguous situations trigger disproportionate stress responses. Neurochemically, this...
Dopamine functions primarily as a neurochemical of motivation and anticipation, driving the pursuit of rewards rather than generating happiness or pleasure. While often mischaracterized as a "pleasure hormone," its actual role involves forecasting potential rewards, which sustains goal-directed behavior. Beyond motivat...
Getting out of a "funk" requires distinguishing between temporary, situational malaise and chronic depression, as the former leaves one's capacity for pleasure intact. This state often stems from cumulative stress, a lack of novelty, and mood-congruent perception, where negative expectations filter reality to confirm a...
The human drive for social acceptance stems from an evolutionary need for group safety, causing rejection to trigger neural responses identical to physical pain. This deep-seated desire often leads to people-pleasing, which fragments one's sense of self and creates chronic exhaustion. The "spotlight effect"—the mistake...
The belief that the human frontal lobe reaches full maturity at age 25 is a scientific myth rooted in misattributed research. Early studies on brain development, specifically those conducted by Jay Giedd, only examined subjects up to age 21, yet the 25-year-old threshold gained prominence during US legal debates concer...
Growing up on the internet creates a unique psychological landscape where personal identity and formative mistakes are permanently documented for a massive audience. Early YouTube creators navigated this transition from organic, bedroom-based content to a professionalized industry without the benefit of modern digital ...
The perception that everyone has a mental health diagnosis stems from a combination of improved recognition, reduced stigma, and evolving diagnostic criteria rather than a sudden biological epidemic. While depression and anxiety rates have risen sharply, increases in neurodivergence diagnoses reflect a long-overdue soc...
Anxiety about the future, particularly for those in their 20s, manifests as a combination of global existential threats and personal life instability. This pervasive fear often triggers catastrophizing, a cognitive habit where the brain attempts to gain control by obsessively rehearsing worst-case scenarios. Rather tha...
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