Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, pointed out the importance of investing in emotions, which hold a very significant place in relationships.
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that it is possible to manage emotions that closely affect many interactions from individual relationships to social life, saying, “In neuroscience, the first step in managing emotions is self-awareness, that is, knowing oneself. The second step is self-management. It is about being able to manage one’s psychological resources. The third step is social awareness. This includes empathy and relationship management.” Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, pointing out the importance of investing in emotions, said, “We can liken this to a pool. The bigger the pool, the bigger ‘your capital’ is. However, that pool needs to be fed with clean water. Every person has benevolent and malevolent emotions within them. It is necessary to keep benevolent emotions strong and nurture them. We also need to educate malevolent emotions.”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that emotions began to be categorized scientifically after the 90s, saying, “A revolution occurred in psychology. Since emotions were in a scientific category, it was thought that they should have numerical indicators, meaning they should be measurable and evaluable, and many research and studies were conducted on these. With neuroimaging methods, evidence was presented on how these emotions create effects in the brain.”
The frontal lobe of the brain is the captain's bridge
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that humans are born with the ability to manage emotions, saying, “The learning region in the human brain is the frontal lobe. We also call this the captain's bridge. The training of this part of the brain begins with the birth of the child. That is, controlling desires and impulses is learned.”
Nevzat Tarhan: “Benevolent Emotions Should Be Nurtured in the Emotion Pool”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, also pointing out the importance of investing in emotions, said, “We can liken this to a pool. What is the basic principle in resource management? Input control, output control, and enlarging the pool. The bigger the pool, the bigger ‘your capital’ is. This means you are emotionally strong. However, that pool needs to be fed with clean water. We shouldn't mix lies into the pool; we need to be honest. Every person has benevolent and malevolent emotions within them. It is necessary to keep benevolent emotions strong and nurture them. We also need to educate malevolent emotions.”
Lack of Empathy is Behind Evils
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the first step in managing emotions in neuroscience is self-awareness, that is, knowing oneself, saying, “The second step is self-management. It is about being able to manage one’s psychological resources. The third step is social awareness. There is empathy. There is relationship management. Currently, the issue humanity has become most impoverished in is empathy. When we look at the background of the greatest evils modernity has brought us, the increase in crime, violence, and suicide, we see a lack of empathy. What does someone lacking empathy do? They look at events only from their own perspective. They don't realize the emotions of others. They don't realize the needs of others. Selfishness is the opposite of empathy.”
Nevzat Tarhan Highlights the Importance of Sharing Emotions in the Family
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, also pointing out the importance of sharing emotions and proper communication in the family, said, “There should be no superior-subordinate relationship at home; there should be a horizontal relationship. Family members should sit down and discuss ideas. There should be harmony among family members, just like in a team. What exists in a team? Team spirit. Team spirit also creates emotional sharing. Sharing sorrow, sharing love, sharing events... If this sharing exists, a team is formed. A team is not just a partnership focused on self-interest. For peace to exist in the family, there must also be emotional sharing.”