• AllonzeeLV@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Yes. A hypothetical tribe. I’m saying happiness is completely relative, but based on comparison to immediate peers.

    • SurpriZe@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      And what can we do with this information, in psychology? Is there a way to shift focus away from it? Or is there something else to learn?

      • AllonzeeLV@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        Usually, in therapy, one is encouraged to mindfully focus on celebrating their own achievements. Without comparison to others, and to develop positive self-talk about one’s own value. These are copng strategies that can help someone depressed or hateful about fixating on others and comparing themselves.

        But that takes training, receptivity, and dedication to the practice, because our default state and default mechanism for ascertaining satisfaction in life is that comparison we must take active measures to avoid.

        Practicing mindfulness is the best first step if you’re interested. It is a means to recognize your own negative self-talk. Once recognition is there, it opens more doors. It falls under Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, and it is a means to take control of your own thought processes, but requires patience and continued practice.