The Psychology of your 20s

Most of us have an idea of the person we would like to become - more confident, more successful, healthier, calmer, more disciplined. But where did that ideal come from? And is it actually ours? In this episode, we explore the psychology behind the real and ideal self, asking what happens when the person we are feels increasingly distant from the person we think we should be. Watch on Netflix: HERE We explore: Where the idea of the real and ideal self comes from The role of congruence for self-esteem and well-being How conditions of worth can disconnect us from what we truly want The difference between Rogers’ real/ideal self and Winnicott’s true/false self How to differentiate your ideal from your ought self How to identify goals to reflect your own values Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: [email protected]  Our favourite sources:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jad.12111 https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0033-295X.94.3.319 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144518301396?via%3Dihub  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of the thousands of psychology papers I’ve read for this podcast, these are five I think every 20 something should know about. Today, we’re exploring the research that could change how you think about feeling behind, getting rejected, finding love and chasing success. We discuss: The two types of quarter life crisis and what each can teach us Why your 20s don’t have to be the best years of your life How rejection can increase your desire to take control Why your friendships deserve as much attention as your romantic life The hidden cost of tying your self-worth to money Five studies, five massive themes for our 20s and so much to take away. Listen now! Read the studies: https://doi.org/10.1177/2167696818764144 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3332527/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12097955/ https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075251321385 https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167220910872 Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: [email protected]  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do certain things stop us in our tracks? A beautiful sunset, a painting, even the way light shines through the window in the morning. Where does this sense of beauty actually come from? Does it exist objectively in the world, or is it something our brains create? In this episode, we explore the psychology behind what makes something beautiful, and how the brain processes aesthetic experiences. Watch on Netflix: HERE We explore:•        The function of the aesthetic triad•        Why experiencing beauty can feel rewarding•        Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder?•        Why familiarity, culture and personal experience can change what we find beautiful•        How nature generates a sense of awe•        Why we see beauty in ugliness•        Why we need to look for more beauty in the everyday Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: [email protected]  Our favourite sources:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24768244/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3130765/ https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-21454-002  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a culture increasingly organised around productivity and individual choice, many of our repeated behaviours have become about efficiency rather than meaning. In this episode, we explore why even very small rituals - a meal, a walk, a song, a candle - can give shape and significance to ordinary life, particularly in our 20s. Watch on Netflix: HERE We explore: Why rituals aren’t just religious or spiritual Why performing rituals is an integral part of human behaviour How rituals create belonging and maintain relationships How predictable rituals can provide an anchor during uncertainty, overwhelm and periods of change Why our 20s may particularly benefit from rituals The importance of ritualising endings Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: [email protected]  Our favourite sources:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1088868317734944 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S109051381500077X https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00084298241238680 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1545-5300.1992.00151.x  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do some people seem to move from relationship to relationship with barely any time in between, and why does being single feel almost impossible for them? In this bonus episode, we’re diving into the psychology behind relationship hopping (aka serial monogamy) and what’s really happening when someone craves commitment quickly, struggles with time alone, or keeps repeating the same cycle with different partners. We explore:•        The role of attachment in serial monogamy•        Why artificial closeness is so appealing•        The pull of the infatuation cycle•        The brain chemistry of love, reward and attachment•        What this pattern can teach us about self-growth Happy listening! Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: [email protected]  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.