Prof. Tarhan: “Luck is where intelligence meets opportunity”

President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan was a live guest on the program "Yolun Başındayken" (At the Beginning of the Road) with Assoc. Prof. Görkem İldaş, broadcast on HABERTÜRK TV. Tarhan gave important advice to candidates on "University Selection and Making the Right Choice". Drawing attention to the scientific foundations of the inner voice, Tarhan evaluated the effects of digitalization and artificial intelligence on the social and emotional skills of young people. Emphasizing the importance of setting a strong purpose and acting in line with strategic goals for success, Tarhan noted that luck does not come on its own but emerges at the intersection of intelligence and opportunity. 

President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan gave important messages in the program regarding young people's career planning, psychological resilience, and the education system.

“Inner voice is our brain telling the closest probability to the truth, even if it cannot prove it at that moment”

President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan drew attention to the scientific foundations of the inner voice, explaining that it is not a random emotion but a navigation mechanism developed by the brain through experiences. Tarhan said; “The emphasis on inner voice is very important. In fact, it has a scientific basis. In a study, a notebook containing pictures is distributed to an experimental group. A note with small text saying 'Who is the luckiest person?' and 'You won 300 dollars when you read this text' is placed. It is observed that people who notice this text are described as 'lucky', and four common characteristics emerge in these individuals: having a positive outlook, listening to their inner voice, being able to remain calm in the face of events, and being open to new experiences. In fact, luck does not come on its own; it emerges at the intersection of intelligence and opportunity. This is where the inner voice comes into play. What is called the inner voice is actually coordinates formed in our brain. Just as a tennis player considers the sun, wind, and speed when hitting the ball, our brain calculates the most accurate probability as a result of thousands of experiences. What is called the inner voice is our brain telling the closest probability to the truth, even if it cannot prove it at that moment. The first answer that comes to our mind is often the result of this quick probability calculation by the brain.”

“We are in a period where all three are experienced very rapidly”

Evaluating the effects of digitalization on human psychology, Tarhan stated that young people, in particular, face a significant risk in terms of social and emotional skills. Tarhan said; “Pleasure, speed, and ambition… We are in a period where all three are experienced very rapidly. This is what digitalization brings. The 'always want more' mentality, the competitive structure taught by the capitalist system, and the 'consume-earn-consume' cycle have created a sense of rivalry that weakens people's feeling of contentment. Within this system, people have become hasty and impatient. There is a serious loss of competence in terms of social and emotional skills. While academic success increases, social and emotional success is negatively affected. There are two important reasons for this. One is the disruption caused by the pandemic, and the other is artificial intelligence. These two developments have affected the human brain's learning speed and navigation features. Artificial intelligence is now defined as the 'fourth reality'. After physical reality, fantasy reality, and dream reality, there is now artificial intelligence reality. Especially when adolescents become too engrossed in artificial intelligence, their emotional and identity boundaries can be disrupted. Artificial intelligence psychoses, digital attention deficits, and learned autism-like conditions can emerge.”

“A person with a purpose locks onto their purpose”

Emphasizing that young people should determine a strong life purpose, Tarhan drew attention to the importance of acting in line with strategic goals instead of short-term pleasures. Tarhan said; “A person with a purpose locks onto their purpose, placing others in second and third priority. It is necessary to have a strong purpose. People with meaning and purpose can manage their emotional skills and regulate their emotions. Once the purpose is strong, a plan can be made. A strategic goal plan should be created. Goals should be considered as short, medium, and long-term. Acting only with the goal of winning that day is wrong; short-term goals are usually pleasure-oriented and temporary. After medium and long-term goals are determined, short-term plans are made for those goals. The big goal is the determinant here. One must think like a war commander; if the strategy is wrong, small victories gained have no meaning. Questions such as 'What kind of person do I want to be at the end of my life, what profession do I want to pursue, what kind of career do I aim for?' should be answered. Accordingly, time management and budget management should be done. Resource management is not just money management; it is also managing time, life energy, social, and psychological capital. Resources should be used balanced and wisely with input control, output control, and a pool-expansion approach.”

“Success is not never falling, but being able to get up and walk again after falling”

Stating that the difficulties experienced throughout history have strengthened social resilience, Tarhan said that success is about the ability to get back on one's feet. “This geography has struggled with great difficulties for centuries. It dealt with the Mongols, experienced periods of interregnum. Then, figures like Sheikh Edebali, Mevlana, and Yunus Emre emerged, and then the Ottoman Empire was born. There was hardship, there was effort. Later, the Republic of Turkey was founded. This geography managed to overcome all these difficulties. Here, success is not 'never falling', but being able to get up and walk again after falling. The right meaning must be attributed to success. Attributing short-term meaning is wrong. The greatest threat the human brain perceives is uncertainty and unpredictability. When there is uncertainty about the future, distrust emerges. When there is distrust, the brain constantly operates in 'fight-or-flight' mode; it cannot take risks, cannot develop, and only tries to maintain the current situation. Therefore, the most important element in management is to build trust and keep the feeling of hope alive. When there is a trust-oriented education system, school climate, company management, and societal climate, people can foresee the future, take risks, make investments, and plan.”

Bad world syndrome…

Stating that the rising negative perception in society can lead to results such as avoidance, depression, and aggression among young people, Tarhan said; “Turkey is not getting worse compared to the past; it is getting better. However, our expectation level has risen. A negative perception has formed in society and among individuals. In non-transparent environments, people suppress their emotions and exhibit avoidance behavior. There is what communicators know as 'bad world syndrome'. When in this state of mind, people behave in three ways. Some want to escape the environment, some develop despondency and depression, and some become aggressive. We observe one of these three behaviors in young people. Digitalization and social media are also among the important factors that feed this bad world syndrome.”

“A revolution is happening in the world education system”

Stating that a major transformation is taking place in education systems worldwide, Tarhan emphasized that psychological and moral competencies, alongside academic success, should also be developed. Tarhan said; “Currently, a revolution is happening in the education system all over the world. Especially in the USA, there are (SEL) Social Emotional Learning high schools. These are defined as trauma-sensitive high schools. To reduce school violence, suicides, depression, and mental health disorders, young people are given three competencies along with academic education. The first is academic competence: knowledge and learning skills. The second is psychological competence: a person's ability to manage themselves, to self-reflect, and to empathize. The basic principle taught to leadership candidates is: 'If you want to manage people, you must first manage yourself.' Those who cannot manage themselves cannot manage others. Self-control, self-awareness, and introspection are the foundations of psychological competence. The third is moral competence: being able to use learned knowledge for good. Elon Musk's statement 'Intelligence has become very cheap, character has become very expensive' describes this period very well. This is an example of a strong sociological reading.”