3. Theory of the mind
Psychological Processes
---------------------------------------------
Primitive mind
Fight / Flight
mechanism
Subconscious mind
Conscious mind
Critical area
12%
88% + + + +
+ + + +
- - - -
- - - -
Affects
behaviour
+ and/or -
4. Theory of mind
Primitive mind
- Automatic
- Fight / Flight
mechanism
- Primitive part of
subconscious mind
Subconscious mind
- Operates ‘Knowns’ from past
experiences
- Effects behaviour
- Makes up 88% of the mind
- Holds potentially unlimited
amounts of information
Conscious mind
- Logic, reason, will
power
- Makes up 12% of the
mind
Critical area
- Separates conscious from
subconscious
- Inhibitory: analyse, evaluate, critique
- Active when alert, in abeyance when
overloaded
5. Body’s response to stress
Perceived stress
Overload of
message units =
disabling the
critical area
Sympathetic arousal
Adrenal glands
Adrenaline / Noradrenaline
Increased heart rate / blood
pressure
Fight /
Flight
triggered
Chemical reaction
Adrenal glands
Cortisol
Suppresses immune
system
Primitive
behaviours
Subconscious
‘Knowns’
6. Hypnotic state and Stress
Stress = Overload of message units
Triggers off fight / flight mechanism
Subconscious (automatic) processes
kick in
Negative
‘knowns’
Positive
‘knowns’
‘I can deal
with this’
In
control
‘I
can’t
cope’
Loss of
self
control
Hypnotic state is induced by an overload
of message units bypassing conscious
filters
Disorganising critical area of mind,
triggering fight / flight mechanism
Gaining access to subconscious mind /
processes
In a clinical setting that state is used to
modify automatic (subconscious)
processing that are negatively affecting
behaviour. Improving the person’s ability
to cope.
7. What can you do?
• Change or upgrade the software programming of the subconscious mind.
Some options:
• Breathe: learn to breathe properly
• Change negative self talk
• Check your beliefs about your ability to cope
• Learn to manage your time to suit your needs
• Bite off as much as you can chew
• Break down huge tasks into smaller chunks
• Break down your goals into smaller targets
• Celebrate when you meet small targets
• Delegate tasks
• Take time out each day to remember why you are doing what it is you are
doing
• Take time out each day just to be with you (even if it’s only 5 minutes!)
8. Breathe Correctly
Thoracic Breathing
• Shallow
• Uses top third of the lungs
• Low quality
• Tension
Diaphragmatic Breathing
• Deep
• Uses bottom of lungs
• High quality
• Relaxation
Vs
