The Psychology of Beauty

But how do we perceive beauty and why are some people or objects considered more beautiful than some others? Psychological tests have considered symmetry and proportion as extremely important in the perception of beauty. Beauty is also more holistic than specific as a beautiful object is judged as a whole package that is appealing rather than judged on the basis of its parts. Freudian or psychoanalytic explanations of beauty are scarce but psychoanalytic concepts could be used to consider our judgment of beauty as a projection or wish fulfillment so people attractive to us are typically ones who we admire or who in some way represent our own desires and fancies. One of the best things about the scientific field of psychology is that there is such a vast array of potential research and thus so much unexplored territory. Every stimulus in our environment can be studied in relation to the mind and, if given the proper measures, empirical conclusions could be drawn about each one of them. For this reason I have decided to touch on a potential topic of psychology that is probably not so high on the priority list for experimental psychologists - and this is the topic of haircuts. "Wabi Sabi" (pronounced "wah-bee sah-bee") was formalized as the Zen Buddhism tea ceremony evolved. Zen Buddhism originated in India, traveled through China in the 6th Century, and to Japan in the 12th century. The ancient wisdom of Wabi Sabi practitioners helps today's busy home makers with interesting interior design ideas. Wabi Sabi interior design followers learn to relax, take time appreciate the beauty and simplicity of natural design, and to know that their home doesn't need perfection to bring joy, which compares to our research findings in residential Design Psychology. One of the main reasons that most people do not achieve their ultimate goals and dreams in life is because they are emotionally and psychologically unequipped to handle the loneliness and isolation that is required to evolve to the next level of success. When friends call and beg you to go out to the movies, get a bite to eat, or hang out at your favorite club you will be forced to decide whether or not spending time with them is the best use of your time, given that you have 2 exams and a research paper due within a week. Most of us will make the wrong decision many times before we do what is ultimately best to achieve our goals. In most households we find items that decorate the walls such as paintings and prints that please our eyes and minds. This is just part of the process of living our lives. In our lives we would probably never consider hanging a blank sheet or canvas in a picture frame on any of our walls within our living areas. Though the frame may, within its own right, be a work of art but the inside of the frame is totally blank and it doesn't look well hanging on that wall. Not until a picture or print of some sort is placed in that frame will it look appropriate. A great deal of psychological study has been placed in the realm of figuring out what it is about board games which makes us, as people, so devoted and loving of the activity. What exactly is it about the brain that makes it so attached to the activity of competing against each other to solve a problem and win the game? A great deal of it relates to the way that we, as humans, have grown over time and both the value that we place on certain ideals and the deficiencies that we try to make up for in our daily lives. Board games offer us a chance to fulfill many of these needs and because of this, they have maintained a place in our culture for quite some time. Women often wonder what exactly it is that makes men fall in love. There have been many theories over the years, focused on everything from good cooking to frequent love-making. Almost universally, every attempt to discover what makes men fall in love fails when it focuses on such superficial aspects of relationship-building. The simple truth is that there is nothing mysterious or magical about making a man fall in love - but there is a secret psychology involved in the process. That psychology is something with which every woman should be familiar. A simple way to slow down and enjoy life is to have greater Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. Positive psychology researchers define this character strength as "the ability to find, recognize, and take pleasure in the existence of goodness" (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). So what does this strength look like? Let me share a story about when I was an exchange student in Germany. My host sister and I decided to go on a walk, so I started off at my typical brisk pace. Suddenly she grabbed my arm and stopped me in my tracks. "In Germany, we walk slowly; we look around and take in the beautiful sights", she explained. Most women never advance further into a man's heart than the first stage of attraction simply because he soon discovers that the woman in question is nothing more than a beautiful package. She may be a well-rounded individual with a sparkling personality, but if all she focuses on is attracting him with her body, he will soon assume that she has nothing more to offer. The secret psychology that makes men fall in love with women requires that the woman have more depth - or else he will soon lose interest and never progress to the second phase of the love process. The level of control that a board game can provide will often fulfill some of our deepest needs and desires. It allows us to take fate within out hands, within a certain, controlled environment, and allow us to pursue our goals in a way that will have no lasting effects on our lives. It gives us a chance for escapism, where we can enter into a situation and pretend that we are anyone or anything. It gives us a sense of fantasy, allowing us to fulfill our needs for a thrill while staying within the comfort and safety of our own homes. Board games can be a great way for us to feel content with ourselves and the world around us and playing one can be a great way to give ourselves a boost of esteem.