The 8th International Positive Psychology Congress, organized by Üsküdar University with the theme “Search for Meaning in a Digitalizing World,” concluded after a two-day intensive scientific program. Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan from the Psychology Department of Üsküdar University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, who both undertook the academic coordination of the congress and participated in the closing session, drew attention to the concepts of social cohesion and social isolation in her closing presentation. Emphasizing that social cohesion means living together in brotherhood, Turan stated that social cohesion is like a forest. Turan also noted that social exclusion corresponds to real physical pain and mentioned the World Positive Psychology Congress to be held in Turkey in 2027.
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Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan: “Social cohesion means living together in brotherhood”
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On the last day of the congress, held at the Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan, in her presentation titled “Social Isolation or Social Cohesion?” discussed the neurobiological and psychological dimensions of human relationships in the digitalizing world.
“I am in that sweet fatigue of a wedding house”
Dr. Fatma Turan, making evaluations on the last day of the congress, said: “For two days, our congress truly took place in a festive atmosphere. We talked about Anatolian wisdom, our own values, our culture; I believe we left nothing unsaid academically. I feel like it's a wedding house. You know that sweet fatigue at the very end of a wedding; you try to catch up with many things, you want it to be completed beautifully, you want beautiful memories, and now we are exactly there.”
“Social cohesion is like a forest”
Explaining the concept of social cohesion with a metaphor from nature, Turan drew attention to the culture of living together in her speech. Turan said: “When I think of social cohesion, the first things that came to my mind were trees and forests. Social cohesion is just like a forest. Forests have a characteristic; trees also have different characteristics within themselves. Not all forests have only the same type of trees. Many different species live together. But each has a very important feature: Each finds a living space, a beauty related to life, and an opportunity to develop itself in that forest. This is very valuable.”
“Eyes betray the most, eyes don’t lie”
Referring to the characteristic features of people who form healthy bonds and the biological reflection of sincerity, and spoke about the traces of true love on the face. Turan said: “A person with inner peace is not in conflict with the world; they are relaxed and calm. They are not afraid of being alone but can also form healthy bonds. You can understand this from their gaze and eyes. As an emotion worker, I can say, ‘Eyes betray the most. Eyes don’t lie.’ When one smiles, the smiling of their eyes is scientifically called ‘Duchenne smile.’ In a sincere smile, the corners of the eyes wrinkle, the cheekbones rise, and the eyes sparkle. This expresses true love.”
“Social exclusion is a physical pain”
Explaining the neural correlate of social exclusion in the brain with neuroscientific data in the digitalizing world, Turan said: “Social exclusion activates the ‘anterior cingulate cortex’ region in the brain. This shows that social exclusion corresponds to real physical pain at a neurobiological level. Social cohesion is not about being with millions of people or getting hundreds of ‘likes.’ It is being able to say, ‘I have a headache, I want to drink coffee with someone I love,’ and calling that person.”
“Like a forest, in brotherhood and freedom…”
Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan concluded her speech with an academic wish, bidding farewell to the participants with these words: “As a singular, free, and self-reconciled adult, who lovingly preserves the child within throughout life, I wish you to be able to live together in brotherhood and freedom, just like a forest, with healthy relationships and social cohesion.”
“World Positive Psychology Congress” to be held in Turkey in 2027!
Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan, at the end of her speech, thanked the entire university administration, stakeholders, and students, especially Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, and shared her excitement for the World Positive Psychology Congress to be held in Turkey in 2027.
