Introducing ‘holistic psychology’ for life qualities: A theoretical model for consideration

Phan, Huy P.; Ngu, Bing H.; White, Matthew Oliver

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05843

Cited by 10 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…For example, drawn from our propositions (i.e., P1 -P8) described earlier, we rationalize two corresponding and contrasting viewpoints: (i) perception of certainty (e.g., that he/she is likely to be able to successfully adapt to a new situation) is closely aligned with the perceived positivity of cognitive entrenchment vs. (ii) perception of uncertainty (e.g., that he/she is unlikely to be able to successfully adapt to a new situation) is closely aligned with the perceived negativity of cognitive entrenchment. Moreover, reflecting our recent theorization of holistic psychology (Phan et al, 2021), we postulate that perceived positivity of cognitive entrenchment and perceived negativity of cognitive entrenchment would co-exist on opposite ends of a continual spectrum. In essence, our proxy evidence at this stage is preliminary and, by all account, from our recommendation, requires contributions from contrasting assessments, judgments, decision-making, etc., of other researchers.…”

Section: Directions For Future Developmentmentioning

confidence: 61%

A Case for Cognitive Entrenchment: To Achieve Optimal Best, Taking Into Account the Importance of Perceived Optimal Efficiency and Cognitive Load Imposition

Phan

Ngu

2021

Front. Psychol.

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One interesting observation that we may all concur with is that many experts, or those who are extremely knowledgeable and well-versed in their respective domains of functioning, become “mediocre” and lose their “touch of invincibility” over time. For example, in the world of professional football, it has been argued that an elite football coach would lose his/her air of invincibility and demise after 10–15 years at the top. Why is this the case? There are different reasons and contrasting viewpoints that have been offered to account for this observed demise. One notable concept, recently introduced to explain this decline, is known as cognitive entrenchment, which is concerned with a high level of stability in one's domain schemas (Dane, 2010). This entrenchment or “situated fixation,” from our proposition, may act to deter the flexibility and/or willingness of a person to adapt to a new context or situation. Some writers, on this basis, have argued that cognitive entrenchment would help explain the demise of some experts and/or why some students have difficulties adapting to new situations. An initial inspection would seem to indicate that cognitive entrenchment is detrimental, potentially imparting evidence of inflexibility, difficulty, and/or the unwillingness of a person to adapt to new contexts (Dane, 2010). This premise importantly connotes that expertise may constrain a person from being flexible, innovative, and/or creative to ongoing changes. In this analysis, an expert may experience a cognitive state of entrenchment, facilitated in this case by his/her own experience, knowledge, and/or theoretical understanding of a subject matter. Having said this, however, it is also a plausibility that cognitive entrenchment in itself espouses some form of positivity, giving rise to improvement and/or achievement of different types of adaptive outcomes. Drawing from our existing research development, we propose in this conceptual analysis article that personal “entrenchment” to a particular context (e.g., the situated fixation of a football coach to a particular training methodology) may closely relate to three major elements: self-cognizance of cognitive load imposition, a need for efficiency, and the quest for stability and comfort. As we explore later, there is credence to accept the “positivity” of cognitive entrenchment—that by nature, for example, a person would purposively choose the status quo in order to minimize cognitive load imposition, optimize efficiency, and/or to achieve minimum disruption and a high level of comfort, which could then “optimize” his/her learning experiences. We strongly believe that our propositions, which consider eight in this article, are of significance and may, importantly, provide grounding for further research development into the validity of cognitive entrenchment.

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Section: Directions For Future Developmentmentioning

confidence: 61%

A Case for Cognitive Entrenchment: To Achieve Optimal Best, Taking Into Account the Importance of Perceived Optimal Efficiency and Cognitive Load Imposition

Phan

Ngu

2021

Front. Psychol.

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“…We acknowledge that, to date, we have used philosophical psychology [ 34 ], as a distinct research paradigm, to conceptualize new ideas and theoretical models for research development. We contend that theoretical models such esoteric psychology [ 38 ] and holistic psychology [ 25 ] are somewhat difficult to validate scientifically. This acknowledgement questions whether we have appropriate methodological designs, at this stage, to accurately measure and assess the notion of an ‘optimizing effect’ [ 7 ].…”

Section: Discussion Of Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indication of sub-optimal accomplishments, in contrast, would connote ineffective teaching, low quality curriculum development, and/or evidence of student disengagement [ 23 , 24 ]. Our research interest of optimal best [ 1 , 2 , 12 ] relates to the study of positive psychology [ 3 – 5 ], which emphasizes remedy of maladaptive life conditions and the promotion of positive life conditions (e.g., a flourished state of functioning) [ 25 ]. Positive psychology, as the nomenclature suggests, coincides with the motivation and proactivity of human agency and explores a person’s and/or an organization’s optimal state of functioning [ 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empirical validation of the psychological concept of a perceived feeling of ‘energy’: Advancement into the study of positive psychology

et al. 2021

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The paradigm of positive psychology, significant in nature, helps to explain the proactivity and motivation of human agency, such as a secondary school student’s state of autonomy, confidence, and personal resolve to strive for optimal learning and/or non-learning experiences. Our recent research development, in tandem with other scholars’ inquiries, has focused on one aspect of positive psychology–namely, a person’s achievement of ‘optimal best’, which reflects the maximization of his/her state of functioning (e.g., cognitive functioning). Capitalizing on our previous research, we develop a psychological concept that we term as a ‘perceived feeling of energy’. A perceived feeling of energy (e.g., a perceived feeling of liveliness) is proposed to act as a ‘motivational engine’, or as a central driver, which then could predict and enhance a person’s achievement of optimal best. Six hundred and twenty-seven university students (N = 438 women, 189 men) responded to a suite of self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques were used to test a conceptual model, where we focused on the antecedent (i.e., the direct impact of self-efficacy on a perceived feeling of energy) and consequence of a perceived feeling energy (i.e., the impact of a perceived feeling of energy on personal resolve, and the sustaining of optimal best). Analysis of results showed support for our original hypothesized model–for example: self-efficacy as an antecedent of energy and the central role of the energy as a predictor and potential mediator of future outcomes.

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“…In particular, we contend that a healthy and vibrant holistic mindset could aspire and/or motivate a person to strive toward attaining a state of "nirvana" or self-enlightenment (e.g., see Figure 4). Our collective interests in Buddhist enlightenment (Chattopadhyay, 2022;Loden, 1996;Yeshe & Rinpoche, 1976), self-transcendence (Conn, 1998;Ge & Yang, 2023;Llanos & Martínez Verduzco, 2022), and holistic psychology (J. T. Carmody, 1984;Phan, Ngu, & White, 2021) have led us to philosophize that true, positive life functioning is more than just self-gratification of superficial needs (e.g., attaining financial wealth on a daily basis). That true life functioning, at its deepest level, involves attainment of transpersonal and humanistic experiences (e.g., to experience social connectedness with another person).…”

Section: Life Satisfaction and Self-fulfillment: A Desirable State Of...mentioning

confidence: 99%

An ideal sense of self: Proposition of holistic self and holistic mindset from the unique anthropological–sociocultural perspective of life and death education.

Phan,

Ngu,

Chen

et al. 2024

Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology

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Introducing ‘holistic psychology’ for life qualities: A theoretical model for consideration

Cited by 10 publications

References 82 publications

A Case for Cognitive Entrenchment: To Achieve Optimal Best, Taking Into Account the Importance of Perceived Optimal Efficiency and Cognitive Load Imposition

A Case for Cognitive Entrenchment: To Achieve Optimal Best, Taking Into Account the Importance of Perceived Optimal Efficiency and Cognitive Load Imposition

Empirical validation of the psychological concept of a perceived feeling of ‘energy’: Advancement into the study of positive psychology

An ideal sense of self: Proposition of holistic self and holistic mindset from the unique anthropological–sociocultural perspective of life and death education.

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