How do you feel about this diagram of the human psyche?

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   Emanate Presenceposted 11 years ago

   How do you feel about this diagram of the human psyche?
   
   Diagrams of the psyche are limited representations as they are two-dimensional and segmented, even hierarchal, whereas in actuality the psyche is multi-dimensional, complex and non-linear. Whether you have studied psychology or not, I'd like to know how you feel about the diagram of the psyche in a 'golden spiral.' Since there has been response to questions about the Higher Self, does this graphic representation say anything to you? I'd also love to hear from those who do study psychology, even if you feel the diagram is misleading, as it may help me to present a more rounded picture.
   
   

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   tsmogposted 11 years ago

   Hello Emanate Presence. Off the bat, no pun intended, I am curious. I saved as an image to look closer, yet still unable to see the words within the 'clef' (Bass?) of the note. Also, unable to see the introduction at top right corner too (Ponder the Spanish Prisoner & dialectics).
   
   Working from within a tad of 'theta' I would venture a guess 'more rounded' would be misleading and the proposed oblong may be more realistic. With a glance I see questions.
   
   Having closed my eyes, allowed the image to dissipate, reopen the eyes, the attraction wanders toward 'The Higher self' more than not and 'Quantum consciousness' once or twice. When doing that same exercise and opening only one eye it seems nature takes its course with focus on the opposite side first then a 'big picture' focus comes about. One may  have to consider astigmatism of the right eye may preclude a tad of difference.
   
   With a bit of imagination I am able to see the major line of the spiral both stretched upward or downward, although that is only perception to how I sit. It maybe left or right or any direction. A natural tendency with the hue is the spiral appears downward, yet that may be a canard.
   
   Maybe a hub one day with more thought. Saved in a file for later, while considering memory and stuff. I can say, again with a glance, what is seen is a box, a quadrant or piece of pie x3. I do appreciate from the image that there is room beyond with incompleteness as seen with incongruity with seven locations.
   
   One may say the left brain function gets kinda' crowded. Right brain has a bit and a byte more to play with sort to speak. However, that may have more to it than what is writ or wrote.
   
   Insert commentary disclaimer here as all above is only a thought process and speculative at most.
   
   tim

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Tsmog, this is great - to get some interaction started about the diagram. As a graphic, it is amateurish I know, and was made mostly for my own satisfaction to envision the relationships. I will email the whole image file to anyone who asks....

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   Laura Schneiderposted 11 years ago

   Hello again E.P.--
   
   I'm going to limit my comment to the diagram itself. It needs to be drawn by a professional at DIAGRAMMING, not by the subject-matter expert. If you think that diagrams are limited to two dimensions, you'll be happy to hear that you're mistaken: 3D diagramming has been done since the times of da Vinci, Newton, Galileo, and so forth, and it's commonplace today. It's not difficult to do once you've been trained in it, but once trained in it seeing a diagram such as this makes one see red (pun intended, no offense intended). I can't read anything in the upper-right corner or inside the tightest curl of the spiral. All of the different font sizes and shapes are dizzying and draw attention away from whatever you're conveying, and I don't understand why the background has a gradient from blue to red: what does that convey?
   
   I'm not sure that this is the best way of approaching the subject, either, but that would be between you and the illustrator/diagrammer and any other subject-matter experts (SMEs). [I'm a professional technical writer/editor and illustrator, so in this topic I am a subject-matter expert with 20+ years of experience, to give you some background. See my 3D diagrams at http://lauraschneider.hubpages.com/hub/ … Chain-Mail for reference.]
   
   Sorry I can't be of more help other than advising you to bring in a SME of a different sort. In conveying your image to that SME note that your own understanding will, necessarily (by fact of further examination) change and grow and solidify in three dimensions, also, so I do recommend that you take this step, if for that valuable reason alone.
   
   I think this is an important diagram to finish and finish correctly (and so that your audience can read it and isn't distracted by random fonts and font sizes and gradients--unless it's necessary). I bet if you checked at the front desk of the art or civil or mechanical engineering buildings of your nearest college/university you'll be able to be referred to someone with the technical drawing skills and hopefully also the artistic eye to pull this off with your input. Good luck, and be careful out there. :-) I look forward to the next iteration of this diagram, E.P. Keep up the good work!
   
   --Laura

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   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   After many years of studying psychology, sociology and a number of other 'ologies--frankly I think it is all a bunch of gobbildegook.  I think medical science has made marvelous advances but I think the human psyche, at this point, is still a mystery.

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, and I can see how the diagram could be interpeted differently than I intended. It is not to say, 'this is how it is,' but to explore the mystery and gain an understanding that may be essential for a more complete self-awareness.

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      duffsmomposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry, no I didn't mean your diagram was off, but rather the field of psychology has no real clue how to treat the mentally ill. I used to be a huge believer in psychology until working for a therapist,  & seeing no real progress in her clients.

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for that clarification.

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      Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      duffsmom-- Sadly, I agree 100% with your comment, "the field of psychology has no real clue how to treat the mentally ill." The aim seems to be, not to CURE, but to just TREAT patients to feel and act better until there's a cure. Science, please!!

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Duff's mom and Laura...you are 100% correct. I went to college to become a school counselor, but stopped just shy of earning my degree in psychology. I found it was filled with holes and COULD not and WOULD not address the real issues. Too political.

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   CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years ago

   Quite frankly, Gary, I am more interested in walking closely with God and knowing His mind.
   
   Having said that, I think there is much to gain in knowing our Heavenly Father's mind, but not much to gain by discovering our "higher self". As far as I see it...when I am in Heaven I will be far higher than I could ever be here. :0)
   
   Happy New Year!!!!

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   ahorsebackposted 11 years ago

   You will all be happy to know that diagrams are for sissies !  Considering  that we use all of about  five percent of our mind's grey matter anyway !

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      Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Shame on you, ahorseback! E.P. worked hard on this and is looking for real, constructive criticism on his diagram and ideas, not off-the-cuff (and incorrect and unrelated) remarks. Go comment on a topic where you have something to add, not subtract.

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      Unabridgedposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I concur with Ms. Schneider. An artistic, insightful, and scholarly question does not deserve such a caustic response. Such asperity has no place here. No matter the question, if you cannot provide a respectful perspective, then simply don't comment.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      "Diagrams are for sissies"? I had no idea. I've always liked a good diagram. Done correctly a good diagram can say a great deal without saying much at all.

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   Emanate Presenceposted 11 years ago

   It has been illuminating and very helpful to read your responses to my question.
   
   You see, posting the diagram I knew was pre-mature in a way. I created it mostly for my own visual reference. It felt like it 'had something' while at the same time was 'missing something.'
   
   Mine is a 2-D diagram, created in a simple graphics program. The gradient is there because it was available and I liked it better than a white background. I used a public domain black and white line drawing of the golden spiral, which comes with the compartments so worked around them. I attempted to obtain a spiral without the compartments or to erase them myself but settled on it the way it came.
   
   In full size the type is very readable, and I didn't know until it was posted how unreadable it would become.
   
   The original idea was to apply the same basic elements of other 2D diagrams of the psyche, which are hierarchal and compartmentalized, into the golden spiral (a ratio found in nature) showing the aspects of the psyche as flowing into each other and expanding to the greater existence.
   
   It is a first iteration, and there may be more as I have in mind to make in-person presentations one day. Your answers have contributed insights which I will apply in the hub I am writing now, "How to Regain a Connection With Your Higher Self" (a title suggested by Hubpages, which I address in the article.)
   
   Thank you all for writing, and may your 2013 be bright.

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