President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, attended the Munzur Science Path event organized by Munzur University. Speaking in the online program under the title “Education of Emotions: Living in Harmony with Yourself and Your Environment”, Tarhan made striking remarks. He noted that managing our emotions is like managing a chemical laboratory in our brain and emphasized that lack of empathy is one of the most prominent indicators of emotional intelligence deficiency.
The online program attracted significant interest from participants.
The brain is not only a thinking organ but also a feeling one…
In the program, which received attention from Munzur University’s academic staff, Prof. Tarhan highlighted that as a person matures, they are better able to maintain the balance between logic and emotion: “Until the 1990s, the concept of emotion was mostly considered a subject of poets, writers, and theologians. Even philosophy dealt with it. However, in the mid-1990s, a revolution occurred in the fields of science and psychology. The pioneer of this revolution was the Portuguese-American neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. He has a book titled Descartes’ Error. You know Descartes’ famous phrase: ‘I think, therefore I am.’ However, through his research on the human brain, Damasio revealed that the brain is not only a thinking organ but also a feeling one. He identified the brain’s structures related to emotions and provided evidence for them. These findings are still available in that book. Anyone working in psychology must read it. Descartes’ Error is a valuable work for everyone. With reference to this book, the concept of emotional intelligence emerged. Just like logical intelligence, the existence of emotional and social intelligence was acknowledged. In fact, educational scientist Howard Gardner had already developed the theory of multiple intelligences in the 1980s. According to this theory, intelligence is not singular but plural, not fixed but improvable. It is not something predetermined at birth; it can develop. Logical intelligence is related to the left brain, covering processes such as logic, reasoning, analysis, calculation, and speech. Emotional intelligence, on the other hand, is more associated with the right brain, related to emotions, excitement, music, art, and aesthetics. The prefrontal cortex establishes a balance between logic and emotions. As a person matures, they build a better balance between logic and emotion.”
“Managing our emotions is like managing the chemistry lab in our brain”
Drawing attention to the importance of medium- and long-term happiness, Tarhan explained: “Managing our emotions is like managing the chemistry laboratory in our brain. The person who best manages this chemistry lab in their brain is the most peaceful person. However, happiness and peace are not the same thing. These are related to our emotions. Aristotle, 2,400 years ago, divided happiness into two categories: pleasure happiness and meaning happiness. Pleasure happiness is short-term and tangible. Meaning happiness, however, is medium- and long-term, and people become happy when they produce meaning. Aristotle stated that the ideal is meaning happiness. Today, the brain mechanisms corresponding to this distinction have also been identified. Pleasure happiness is associated with dopamine, while meaning happiness is linked to serotonin. When serotonin decreases, a person becomes depressed; when there is a problem with dopamine, a person becomes prone to addiction. Dopamine is secreted, its effect ends quickly, and the body wants it again. Dopamine is the chemical of pleasure, while serotonin is associated with meaningful happiness. The brain requires effort and work to produce serotonin. Nowadays, there is a capitalist system that emphasizes pleasure happiness. Modernism, with the concept of happiness it offers especially to young people, has essentially returned humanity to the pleasure happiness that Aristotle spoke of. Yet, what humans actually need is meaning happiness, which is a form of happiness that requires medium- and long-term thinking and producing meaning. Meaning happiness allows the brain to secrete both serotonin and dopamine. In psychology, this is called authentic happiness.”
“One must be able to maintain a positive state of mind under all circumstances”
Explaining Seligman’s PERMA Model, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said: “The first step of the PERMA Model is Positive Emotions. One must be able to maintain a positive state of mind under all circumstances. A person should have the same inner peace whether they are in prison or in a palace, without becoming spoiled in either situation. The key is to sustain positive emotions in every condition. The second step is Engagement (Flow). You become so immersed in something that you lose track of time, that is the second step of positive psychology. If you are so absorbed in an activity that you ask yourself, ‘Where did the time go?’, then you are experiencing flow. The third step is Relationships. If you can build healthy, deep, and meaningful social relationships, you have reached the third pillar of the science of happiness. Not superficial, but qualified social bonds are a crucial element of this model. The fourth step is Meaning. Do you have an ego ideal in the work you do? Are you doing things that bring meaning to your life? How would you like to be remembered at the end of your life? Are you merely repeating a routine, or are you adding meaning to what you do? In our language, the word ‘spiritual’ actually means ‘meaningful.’ When a person adds meaning, that is, a spiritual dimension, to their work, it becomes lasting. The emotional state settles into a logical framework, and the brain internalizes it. Without meaning, the brain cannot make that emotion permanent or place it into order. The fifth and final step is Achievement. This is the feeling of accomplishing small things. Yet the modern capitalist system emphasizes only grand achievements: ‘Win this, obtain that.’ Ten people compete, three win, seven are left unhappy. Such a system does not make people happy. This is why globally, rates of violence, depression, suicide, and addiction in schools are increasing. The system cannot offer people true, meaningful happiness.”
“If we want happiness, we must manage the pharmacy in our brain well”
Emphasizing the importance of emotional literacy, Tarhan noted: “If we want to make our emotions happy, we must manage the pharmacy in our brain well. Our brain can program itself. For example, if someone says, ‘I will wake up at 4 a.m.’ and is truly determined, they can wake up exactly at 4 a.m. without an alarm. However, if they say, ‘It doesn’t matter if I wake up or not,’ they most likely won’t wake up. Because the brain programs itself accordingly. This feature exists only in humans, not in other living beings. Therefore, whatever we program ourselves for, our brain perceives, positions, and connects in that direction, and responds accordingly. In psychology, this is called the self-fulfilling prophecy. It has both positive and negative aspects. There’s a beautiful story about this: Mary’s Hat. A young, unhappy girl in New York one day walks past a newly opened hat shop and goes inside. She tries on a hat. A little girl in the shop says, ‘What a beautiful hat! It looks great on you.’ Other customers agree: ‘Yes, it really suits you.’ The girl feels happy, buys the hat, and leaves the shop. On the way, everyone smiles at her; at work, people open doors for her; even the taxi driver treats her kindly. All day long, she feels unusually happy and positive. At home, her mother says, ‘My dear, you look so beautiful today!’ The girl asks, ‘Mom, how do you like my hat?’ Her mother replies in surprise, ‘What hat? You’re not wearing one.’ The girl looks in the mirror and realizes she forgot her hat, but what made her day beautiful was not the hat itself, but her belief that it suited her. Because she thought positively, she felt happy, and when she was happy, those around her treated her positively. This story shows us that however we program our brain, our emotions and behaviors will follow. Positive thinking creates a positive personality and attitude. That is why we must be emotionally literate. We must be able to read others’ emotions, but first and foremost, we must be literate of our own emotions.”
“Serotonin provides meaningful happiness”
Addressing the two main features of dopamine, Tarhan said: “One of the brain’s stress hormones is cortisol. The brain secretes a hormone called ACTH, which triggers the secretion of cortisol. Cortisol is then released from the adrenal glands. In addition, there are also ‘love hormones.’ Dopamine is one of them, secreted during love. Dopamine has two key features. First, it provides strong focus. The word ‘love’ in Arabic comes from the root meaning ‘ivy.’ Just as ivy clings tightly to where it wraps, a lover clings to the beloved. Even to the point of wanting to die together, as in the case of Leyla and Mecnun. The second feature of dopamine is that it completely focuses a person. As poet Ümit Yaşar Oğuzcan wrote: ‘I looked at the sun, Ayten; I looked at the clock, Ayten; everything I looked at was Ayten, Ayten…’ In such a state, a person can think of nothing else. Dopamine creates this, that is, an intense focus and a sense of intoxication. However, if love is a mature love, if a person feels secure in not losing the beloved, and the relationship is based on trust and depth, and then serotonin is added. Serotonin provides meaningful happiness. This kind of love is called mature love. On the other hand, love directed toward someone unattainable is called impossible love or pathological love. The love of Leyla and Mecnun is of this type.”
“If control is in our hands, there is no need to fear technology”
Reminding that artificial intelligence tends to treat naïve people like children, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said: “When a person is ill, for example when their leg is broken, the whole body is not put in a cast, but only the leg is. However, in psychiatry, it’s different. When someone has a problem, they are often given medications that affect the entire brain. Ideally, however, only the impaired area of the brain should be treated. This is called personalized treatment. In this regard, we now have new opportunities, such as genetic testing. Compared to before, our options have greatly increased. For instance, studies are being conducted using radio frequency (RF) waves to restore the functioning of impaired brain regions. This method can also affect and change hormones. Yet since human beings are conscious creatures, the control lies with them. You cannot force a person to do something against their will. That is why humans have free will, that is, the freedom to say yes or no. The same should apply to technology. If the control is in our hands, we do not need to fear technology. If you are naïve, artificial intelligence will treat you like a child. It will study you and think, ‘This person is too naïve,’ and will try to manipulate you. However, if you ask artificial intelligence the right questions, it will know its place. AI cannot have emotions, and it is impossible. Because emotions are related to mirror neurons in the brain. Emotions cannot be mathematically modeled. Thoughts can be mathematically modeled, information can be accessed, but emotions cannot yet be modeled mathematically. Hopefully, they never will. If they are, it might mean the end of humanity.”
“Lack of empathy is one of the most obvious signs of low emotional intelligence”
Stating that low emotional intelligence mainly stems from lack of empathy, Tarhan explained: “Lack of empathy is defined as Type B personality. Among the four major personality types, this group is characterized especially by narcissistic personality disorders. Narcissistic individuals see themselves as special, important, and superior. They look down on others and are arrogant. Their haughty, condescending attitude is evident in their behavior. They cannot tolerate criticism and cannot empathize. Type B also includes antisocial personalities. These individuals are prone to crime, easily lie, and manipulate those around them. There are also borderline personalities, who experience rapidly changing moods like ‘four seasons in a single day.’ Histrionic personalities also lack empathy and are insincere. The common feature of all these personalities is lack of empathy, and they are considered the most dangerous personality types. Living with such a person is like trying to share a sack with a cat, and it is extremely difficult. However, if one must live with them, there are various strategies and tips for coping with difficult personalities. Such people almost turn those they live with into psychologists. They are truly challenging personalities. That is why lack of empathy is one of the most obvious signs of low emotional intelligence.”
Anxiety is actually stress…
Speaking about three human personality models, Tarhan said: “What we call anxiety is actually stress. There are three types of people: sponge type, Teflon type, and rubber type. Sponge type people are anxious, complaining, and negative. They constantly whine, cry, and spread negative energy. Like a sponge, they absorb everything, but eventually collapse. These individuals are generally depressive, unhappy, and constantly secrete stress hormones. As such, they are more prone to many illnesses. They are known as Type A personalities. Teflon type people, on the other hand, are the opposite, that is, indifferent, selfish, and carefree. They only think of themselves. They are like a Teflon pan, and nothing sticks to them. They don’t get burned themselves, but they can burn those who come into contact with them. Yet Teflon has a weakness: once it is scratched, it becomes useless. Likewise, these individuals are very sensitive to criticism. They think, ‘I am perfect, how can you criticize me?’ They cannot tolerate failure and sometimes even consider suicide when they fail. The capitalist system fuels this personality type because its mindset of ‘win, consume, demand more’ supports such behavior. Rubber type people are the most ideal group in stress management. Like rubber, they stretch under stress but return to their original form afterward. This is called psychological resilience or psychological flexibility. These individuals can think flexibly and adapt to situations. In psychology, this ability is called cognitive flexibility.”