Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Purpose-driven life provides lasting happiness”

The 6th “Psychology Talks with Prof. Nevzat Tarhan” event, organized by Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Psychology Department, Psychology Club and Positive Psychology Club, was held. At the event, which attracted significant interest from participants, Tarhan emphasized that digitalization holds both opportunities and risks, stating that individuals must be the captains of this process. Tarhan stated that while the digital world supports development when used correctly, uncontrolled use leads to uncertainty, anxiety, and distraction, drawing attention to the importance of being open to criticism and psychological resilience, especially for young people. Tarhan expressed that Generation Z is not a lost generation as commonly believed, but rather consists of questioning individuals with a strong sense of justice, adding that in the digital age, a meaning-oriented life provides more lasting happiness compared to pleasure-oriented approaches. 

The event, held at Üsküdar University South Campus Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall, was attended by the President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Prof. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, as well as faculty academics and students.  

“It is necessary to be the captain of digital systems”

Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that digitalization offers significant opportunities, began his speech by saying; “Currently, humanity has a major advantage. Everyone on a global scale can instantly become aware of what is happening. The widespread adoption of the communication age is thus beneficial to humanity. While digitalization may seem like a threat at first glance, it actually harbors important opportunities. If we turn digital systems into our assistants, they will serve us. However, if we become their assistants, they will become the guiding force. Therefore, it is necessary to know digital systems better than anyone else, use them more effectively, and be their captain. When we achieve this, it should not be forgotten that we possess a strong civilizational infrastructure. Turkish society, in this respect, has a deep-rooted history. For example, while the United States has a history of approximately 250 years, Russia’s history extends back about 900 years, Germany’s 1,200 years, and Arab societies’ 1,400 years. The appearance of Turks on the stage of history dates back approximately 2,500 years. In this sense, we have a more ancient culture. Moreover, we possess a multi-layered and rich civilizational heritage, nourished not only by our own roots but also by Central Asia, Persian culture, the Arab world, and the Byzantine Empire. This gives us an advantage in catching up with the current era. Despite this, our biggest shortcoming is self-confidence. The thought of ‘We cannot do it’ dominates, yet we can easily succeed. Young people, especially, are quite strong in this regard. Although Generation Z is often criticized and may have conformist or egocentric aspects, they are also very affectionate. Their expectations of innocence are high, and their sense of justice is strong. Therefore, it is not correct to describe Generations Z and Alpha as lost generations; on the contrary, they are a questioning and thoughtful generation.”

“The truly lost generations are those closed off to criticism” 

Tarhan, stating that development is possible when criticism is seen as a gift; “It is necessary to view criticism not as a threat but as a gift. Only in this way can development be possible. In my opinion, the truly lost generations are those who are closed off to criticism. Mindsets that see themselves as greater, special, and superior have not survived throughout history, ending up in the dustbin of history. This situation brings about a process that can be defined as success blindness. This resulting blindness leads to errors, and ultimately, both leaders and societies pay heavy prices. Nevertheless, societies always have the potential to rise again. This rebirth also has a historical and cultural equivalent. Simurg, or the Phoenix, is a figure found in Persian culture and known to us as the Hüma bird. According to legend, it burns repeatedly, perishes, and is reborn from its ashes. This narrative actually symbolizes the capacity of individuals and societies to regain strength after experiencing destruction. This situation is used as a metaphor in Positive Psychology. Humans develop not when they give up saying ‘I am defeated,’ but when they continue their journey by learning from the difficulties they experience. This process is called post-traumatic growth in the literature. In other words, individuals can continue their existence more strongly by creating new meanings after negative experiences.”

“Digitalization increases uncertainty”

Tarhan, stating that the uncertainty caused by digitalization creates unease; “Digitalization and artificial intelligence, which we encounter on a global scale, carry a similar potential impact to the transformation brought by the printing press and electricity in human history. It is not possible to stay out of this process. However, considering the price of not adequately catching up with electricity and the Industrial Revolution in the past, we must not repeat the same mistake this time. If we can correctly grasp artificial intelligence and integrate into the process, we can not only catch up with the future but also have the opportunity to shape it. On the other hand, digitalization has globally increased uncertainty. Uncertainty is one of the most difficult situations for the human brain to tolerate. This situation is similar to walking in a forest full of unknowns. You cannot predict what will emerge from where, and this creates a constant state of unease. The possibility of encountering danger at any moment keeps one alert and restless. Today, there is a similar atmosphere. The lack of clarity about what tomorrow will bring drives individuals and societies into anxiety. In an environment of uncertainty, people find it difficult to take risks, the desire to invest decreases, and predictability weakens. When predictability disappears, the human brain begins to operate in a threat-focused mode. Defensive reflexes come to the forefront, and individuals tend to protect what they have. This situation is also reflected in decision-making processes. For example, instead of pursuing new opportunities, an individual invests in areas they perceive as safer. This approach is particularly evident in military culture. In wartime environments, the perception of threat is paramount because quick and decisive actions are required. However, transferring this mental framework to civilian life can create an effect that limits innovation and development processes.” he said.

“Can contribute to the emergence of positive developments…”

Tarhan, mentioning the existence of a mechanism that encourages consumption; “Digitalization also brings superficiality. Another important effect is the increase in comparison. Competition is inherent in the capitalist system, and this competition leads people to constantly compare themselves with each other, especially through social media. Thoughts like ‘They have it, I should have it too,’ or ‘If I don't have it, they shouldn't either,’ damage individuals' self-confidence. At the same time, a mechanism that encourages consumption is formed because the system is built on increasing consumption. However, digitalization should not be viewed solely in terms of its negative aspects. When used correctly, it can also pave the way for the spread of well-intentioned and benevolent approaches. In other words, digitalization does not have to produce negative outcomes; on the contrary, it can contribute to the emergence of more positive developments for humanity. Indeed, looking at historical processes, a similar cycle is observed. Evils increase, the negative consequences of this increase become visible, and then the value of goodness is better understood. With this awareness, goodness rises again. From a sociological perspective, this cycle has been observed to repeat throughout history,” he said.

“If mental maturity is insufficient, the risk of being swayed increases”

Tarhan, also touching upon the negative effects of digitalization; “For individuals aged 18 and under, who are not yet fully mentally mature and whose frontal lobe development is incomplete, the impact of digitalization can be more negative. If there is parental supervision and guidance, children can learn from this process and benefit, using digital tools in a more purpose-oriented way. However, if mental maturity is insufficient, the risk of being swayed by digitalization increases. Therefore, digitalization poses a great test for humanity today. Such intense exposure to information creates a difficult situation for brains that have not yet completed their development. While the half-life of information used to be about 30 years, today we see this period reduced to 2–3 years. Similarly, there is a significant decrease in attention spans. In the past, students' attention in a classroom setting would typically drift after about 15 minutes, whereas today, this period is observed to have dropped to 2–3 minutes. Studies in neuroscience and communication reveal that digitalization, especially through the habit of scrolling, increases distraction. Children and adolescents, in particular, constitute the highest risk group at this point. Tablets given without control can cause children to get lost in the digital world. Clinical observations show that problems related to screen exposure have significantly increased compared to the past. This situation is also closely related to family structure. In cases where family ties are weak, a safe communication environment cannot be established, and parents cannot develop a common language, children become more susceptible to the negative effects of digitalization. Therefore, what is decisive here is not only the technology itself but also how it is used and what kind of guidance is offered to children.” he stated.

“When parental leadership is lost, the child takes control”

Tarhan, mentioning the concept of digital exposure; “One of the most important elements brought by digitalization is digital exposure. However, in some children, especially in cases of school refusal, there is a striking situation: the weakening of the parents’ influence over the child. When parental leadership is lost, the child takes control. In such situations, the child’s criterion becomes ‘What I like is good, what I don’t like is bad.’ Similarly, a viewpoint largely based on ego satisfaction develops, such as ‘If it suits my interest, it’s right; otherwise, it’s wrong.’ At this point, what is decisive is the individual’s introspection skill. People who can evaluate themselves and analyze their own emotions and thoughts are less affected by the negative impacts of digitalization. However, if this skill is not developed, the individual can become a victim of digitalization. Therefore, it is of great importance for a person to have a goal and to strive for self-improvement. Today, meaning and purpose-oriented approaches are more prominent against the negative effects of digitalization. In this framework, psychological resilience needs to be developed to avoid becoming a victim of digitalization. Significant steps have been taken in this regard in the United States. Training aimed at developing psychological resilience is provided to students, especially at the high school level. This approach aims to strengthen individuals' coping skills with difficulties, making them more resilient against the risks brought by the digital age.” he said.  

“One must embrace difficulty for meaning-based happiness”

Tarhan, stating that meaning-based happiness should be preferred over pleasure-based happiness; “It is necessary to act by separating pleasure from happiness. Today, digital life largely emphasizes a pleasure-oriented philosophy of life. Yet, this distinction is not new; Aristotle divided happiness into two approximately 2,500 years ago: Hedonic happiness and Eudaimonic happiness. Hedonic happiness is based on pleasure, built on instant gratification and enjoyment. In neuroscience today, this is also explained as a type of happiness associated with dopamine. The field of neuroscience offers an important framework at this point. Dopamine-based pleasure leads to hedonic adaptation over time. An individual begins to need increasingly more stimuli to experience the same level of pleasure. Dopamine receptors in the brain adapt and change accordingly, resulting in a search for higher doses of pleasure. Initially, pleasure pathways that functioned like a narrow path eventually transform into a wide highway. This situation sets the stage for addiction processes, also defined as reward deficiency syndrome. Digital addictions are also categorized among behavioral addictions, such as gambling addiction. In this process, while the dopaminergic system becomes dominant, the serotonergic system, which is associated with more balanced and long-term well-being, remains in the background. In this context, an individual who prefers meaning-based happiness must be willing to embrace challenges and think long-term. Because lasting satisfaction arises not from instant pleasures but from the effort to build a meaningful life,” he concluded.

The program, which was met with great interest by the participants, concluded with a group photo.