Psyche Today (2024)

26/04/2024

In a technology-driven and social media-obsessed world, it can be so easy to fall into the depths of conformity sometimes. Whether it's the food we eat or the clothes we wear that causes us anxiety, these are valid struggles that deserve to be heard and recognized.

So between all of that, learn to know what's best for your health, both mentally and physically, and let this be a reminder that the space, form, and shape your body takes up is all yours!

Written by Sophie Panambo
Graphics and Layout by Eunice Uy

10/04/2024

Caught in a whirlwind of deadlines and expectations, the struggle to balance originality with efficiency is real. The pressure to rush becomes more and more palpable with each assignment and test that demands both our attention and imagination.

Yet, amidst the chaos, there lies a reminder: patience is everything. The journey of creativity isn't a sprint but a marathon, where each step forward, no matter how small, is a victory.

With finals only a few weeks away, remember to pause, take a breath, and slow down. In the words of Austrian poet Rilke, be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart and try to live and love the questions themselves. Perhaps one day, you'll stumble upon the answers.

Alfie and the rest of Psyche wish you all a restful day!

Write-up by Cobby Lee
Illustrations by Silvina Mokhtar
Layout by Gabrielle Alyssa Pascual and Heinrich Ong

28/02/2024

A new door opens in the semester with flying hearts, dancing dragons, and piling paperwork—all of which will come by in the blink of an eye.

While the clock ticks without our notice in the compelling and tiresome days, we undoubtedly leave a part of ourselves in those instances that have already slipped away.

Yet, what remains true despite these moments now being out of our reach, we left our genuine smiles and worries scattered throughout those times and spaces. Forever engraved in the campus' halls, waiting to be sensed by those that'll come after us.

Write-up by Iann Ribuca and Heinsz Ong
Photos and Graphics by Ai Malabonga
Layout by Mae Mae Gallo

26/02/2024

Sa hirap at ginhawa, mahalaga ang pag-aalaga sa sarili.

With work piling up and academics getting heavy, this is your friendly reminder to look after your well-being!

This week's Mental Health Monday article touches on the definition of "ginhawa" and "kaginhawaan” and its manifestations in the Filipino community.

Alfie and the rest of Psyche wish you all a fruitful week ahead. Rest well and stay safe, Psychenistas!

Write-up by Sebastian Ang
Illustrations by Eunice Uy
Layout by Daryll Hope Galang and Ianzien Alexa Ribuca

19/12/2023

"Kamusta ka na, Atenista? Ayos ka lang ba?"

To some of us, hearing these words may make us feel nostalgic, while to others a source of comfort during hell week—or even hell month, as we say.

With the semester formally ending and as students start enjoying their Christmas break, here are some moments to look back on from the campus, as we close the previous chapter whilst preparing our doors for the next one.

Alfie and the rest of Psyche wish you all a wonderful Christmas break!

Write-up by Erin Cabrera
Photos by Mae Mae Gallo
Layout and Graphics by Eli Nerio

18/06/2022

Is it getting harder to absorb your readings? Do the smallest tasks feel too big? Are you getting tired more easily compared to before?

Since lockdown, our days have been swathed with crises after crises, and even if our difficult experiences may vary in degree, we have all been impacted in one way or another. After all, many things have changed: our lifestyles, our functioning, and most importantly, our brains.

But why? What is the scientific explanation behind this phenomenon we call the “Pandemic Brain”?

Now more than ever, it is important to sympathize with ourselves and understand how our neurobiological changes impact our lives in ways we could not have foreseen.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/ThePandemicBrainFogReferences

Research by Andrea Banatao and Sabina Libay
Graphics and Layout by Jemellie Arevalo

11/06/2022

CONTENT WARNING: The following content contains spoilers of the plot of the show, mentions of self-destructive behavior and death. Read at your own discretion.

Do you always feel like you're not good enough in the things you do? Waiting for your big break and your opportunity to seize it? The classic movie “Black Swan'' and its protagonist Nina Sayers shares the same sentiments.

It has been widely known that perfectionism has grave mental and physical effects on a person. Twisted perceptions about achievement that we develop can lead to unwanted behavior. Plunging into the dark depths and trenches of the human mind, Black Swan follows an innocent, hardworking ballerina and how her obsession with perfection leads her to her greatest victory and defeat. 

Don't forget to like Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here:
http://bit.ly/Pride&PerfectionReferences

Research by Mark Ureta and Lanz Lebrilla
Graphics and Layout by Jamaicah Arevalo

02/05/2022

Have you ever read an inexplicably long text online and your head had started to ache from the unreadable font?

According to studies, the readability of online texts can significantly affect the way we absorb content. This poses an important issue that we should consider in our online learning. Read more about it below!

Don't forget to like Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/InclusiveReadabilityReferences

Research by Andy Sermonia and Johann Espino
Graphics by Bianca Balobalo

30/04/2022

“Wow! My favorite artist just posted. Have you seen it yet?”

In the age of social media, it is easy to see the lives of the people around us. Some of them may be traveling, eating delicious food, or simply hanging out with their friends and family. However, it has also become easier to compare our lives with others and experience FOMO – the Fear of Missing Out.

But how much do we really know about FOMO? In this segment of Social Psyche Saturday, we hope to shed light on what FOMO is and what we can do to prevent it.

Don't forget to like Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article/post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/FOMOReferences

Research by Neo Emmanuel Ballesteros and Ramon D. Galias Jr.
Graphics by Eunice Uy
Layout by Eunice Uy

27/04/2022

Social Interaction has drastically decreased due to the pandemic. There is a longing for connection needed by many, making most of us turn to social media. This transition turned people towards multiple media personalities and the communities they built. It has led to fandoms and eventually stan culture and parasocial relationships. It brought forth tight-knit communities that exhibited support for their idols, bordering on excessive at times.

So what exactly is stan culture and parasocial relationships? Is it a healthy way to show support to your idols?

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: https://bit.ly/StanCultureReferences

Research by Zach Alonzo and Edson Panga
Graphics by Dbee Quema

28/02/2022

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of self-harm and su***de.

It’s almost March and summer is just on the horizon but before that, there’s something special on March 5, which is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) awareness day! DID you know that Dissociative Identity Disorder has had its fair share of myths over the past years? In this segment of Mental Health Mondays, we will be dispelling the common myths surrounding Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Don't forget to like Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/DIDReferences

Research by Mia De Guzman and Lorenzo Sarmiento
Graphics and Layout by Eunice Kyla Uy

12/02/2022

Birth charts, moon signs, Venus in Gemini... what?

You may have heard these terms from your friends, and if you aren't interested in astrology, you might have no idea what they're talking about. While astrology is referred to as a pseudoscience, there's another perspective we can look at it from—psychology, specifically the self-verification theory.

Read on to know more about how this theory explains your friends’ fascination with astrology!

Don't forget to like Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/AstrologyasAsaMeansofSelf-verification

Research by Andrei Malig and Moirah Isabelo
Graphics by Jamaicah Arevalo

24/01/2022

The holidays have passed, yet we find ourselves stuck in the same place we were in when the pandemic started.

We always hear the phrase, “it is okay to not be okay.” – but have you been reminded lately that it is also okay to be okay?

Now more than ever, it's important to learn that we are allowed to welcome and celebrate even the smallest of positive feelings. If you feel that living through a pandemic is best done with a smile and a positive, yet empathetic, attitude, that's completely fine.

Don't forget to like Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/IsItOkaytoBeOkay

Research by Angel Coleto and Lara Galvez
Graphics and Layout by Jemelie Arevalo

15/01/2022

SPOILER WARNING: The article contains spoilers for the fourth season of Attack on Titan.

What happens when people in power exploit generational trauma to further their own agenda?

This is one of the central themes of Hajime Isayama’s “Attack on Titan” (AOT), a revenge story that slowly unravels itself as a commentary on sociopolitical issues. As the final season picks up to continue the story, come read this article as we discuss the various ways AOT showcases methods of crowd manipulation and conditioning through propaganda and indoctrination.

Don't forget to like Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aG-utyXoVTqhJ9Ik2RYOAeSl8qZw3r8z?usp=sharing

Research by Therese Amisola, Naomi Soriano, and Zach Sysantos
Layout by Dbee Quema

15/12/2021

Are you busy checking the status of your orders from the 12.12 sale? You better watch out and check them twice... because marketing psychology is telling you why!

“Nabudol na naman ako,” which roughly translates to “I have been lured into the [purchasing] trap again!” is an online phrase used by shoppers to describe the act of impulse buying. In the local shopping lexicon, “budol purchases” refers to the “victim’s” purchased goodies, including those that consumers don’t really need.

Don't forget to like Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/MarketingPsychologyReferences

Research by Ariana Enriquez and Renee Perez
Graphics and Layout by Bianca Balobalo

05/08/2021

Last week, Albert Bandura, most known for the Bobo doll experiment, passed away.

To commemorate one of the greatest psychologists in history, we've created an infographic detailing his contributions to the various fields of psychology.

May his legacy live on.

15/04/2021

Despite the ongoing joke surrounding New Year’s resolutions and their inevitable failure, people continue to set goals for themselves every year without fail. There must be a reason as to why the fierce determination felt by everyone when the clock strikes 12 on the New Year disappears in the blink of an eye.

Although completing your New Year’s resolutions may seem unattainable, there may be a secret formula to make it last. Whether you want to set a positive pace for the new year, or you just want to understand the relationship between the mind and goal-setting, let’s dive deeper into what it really means to set lasting goals for yourself.

With four months into the year, how are your new year's resolutions?

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/NewYearsResolutionReferences

Research by Julia Quilatan and Cassie Eduardo
Graphics by Mike Manongas
Layout by Mickey Manapsal

26/03/2021

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of antisocial personality disorder.

As we’ve learned in the two previous segments, the portrayal and representation of mental illnesses in K-dramas are visibly and steadily increasing. So of course, there’s no way to cap off this series without looking into none other than one of the most popular K-dramas that tackle mental health issues, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.

Heads turned when the series introduced its controversial and unconventional leading lady, Ko Mun-yeong, a children's book author. But there is more to her character than just her fashion and bluntness: she is actually said to be suffering from antisocial personality disorder.

This last part of the segment aims to serve as an analysis on how the show tackled Mun-yeong’s antisocial personality disorder, as well as well as a conclusion by emphasizing the importance of proper representation.

Don’t miss out on the first and second parts of the interactive segment here: bit.ly/MentalIllnessesInKdramas1 and bit.ly/MentalIllnessesInKdramas2

Thank you for tuning in with us and feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section down below!

CONTENT WARNING: The following content contains spoilers of the plot of the show mentioned. Read at your own discretion.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/MentalIllnessesInKdramas

Research by Samantha Onglatco
Media by Kezia Obbus
Layout by Tiffany Cu

24/03/2021

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of bulimia nervosa.

Last week, we talked about the portrayal of Jang Jae-yeol’s schizophrenia in the K-drama It’s Okay, That’s Love. For the second installment of our interactive segment on the portrayal and representation of mental illnesses in K-dramas, we will be looking into the Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo through the character of Song Shi-ho, who is shown to be struggling with bulimia.

Check out the first part of the interactive segment here: bit.ly/MentalIllnessesInKdramas1

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section down below!

CONTENT WARNING: The following content contains spoilers of the plot of the show mentioned. Read at your own discretion.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/MentalIllnessesInKdramas

Research by Samantha Onglatco
Graphics by Kezia Obbus and Nicolah Gapuz

22/03/2021

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of OCD, schizophrenia, self-harm, and violence.

As K-dramas venture into portraying mental illnesses, it is important to look into how these characters are represented in mainstream media. For the first part of our three-part interactive segment where we will be looking into the portrayal and representation of different mental illnesses in K-dramas, we will be looking into the beloved character of Jang Jae-yeol who is said to be suffering from schizophrenia from It’s Okay, That’s Love ✍️📚

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section down below!

CONTENT WARNING: The following content contains spoilers of the plot of the show mentioned. Read at your own discretion.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/MentalIllnessesInKdramas

Research by Samantha Onglatco
Media by Kezia Obbus
Layout by Nicolah Gapuz

21/03/2021

With the ongoing rise of the Hallyu wave, not just in the Philippines but also worldwide, there is no doubt that Korean content has made its way into our lives. Korean dramas, or K-dramas, have recently been gaining more traction with its unique storylines capturing the interest of viewers. One of the more controversial storylines K-dramas have ventured into is mental illnesses, which is considered to be taboo in South Korean culture.

This is an introduction to our three-part interactive segment in which we will be looking into the portrayal and representation of different mental illnesses in K-dramas by analyzing three characters from different K-dramas.

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section down below!

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/MentalIllnessesInKdramas

Research by Samantha Onglatco
Illustrations by Kezia Obbus

16/03/2021

It is next to impossible to imagine a world without conversations. Self-growth and relationships with other people often thrive on face-to-face conversations and encounters, both of which have dwindled due to lockdown. In quarantine, while adjusting to life with minimal social interactions, consider chatting with your own constant companion: yourself.

The practice of self-talk seems a bit odd at first but is actually quite common and beneficial. See how we can use it to our advantage during these stressful times.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/SelfTalkReferences

Research by Aga Villaroman and Jeleina Maralit
Illustrations by Emily Baculinao
Layout by Dbee Quema

10/03/2021

Reminiscing on the good old days? Scrolling through old photos to remind yourself of the normalcy you once enjoyed? Daydreaming about going back on campus? Missing people a little more lately? It's been a year since the last day of physical classes in Ateneo.

These feelings of longing are no longer a stranger to us as we yearn for the life we once knew especially before the pandemic. These feelings may often seem daunting and overwhelming, and we may even struggle to understand them.

What’s New In Psych Wednesdays presents an explanation on the phenomena of longing that aims to help us understand and navigate our feelings of longing amid quarantine burnout, as we have reached one year into the quarantine.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/PhenomenaOfLongingReferences

Research by Samantha Onglatco and Lia Salvanera
Graphics by Emily Baculinao
Layout by Echo Cruz

06/03/2021

With lockdown having lasted almost a year long, one would normally assume that the incoming vaccines indicate a return to life as it was before COVID-19. Thus, they are something to be looked forward to, but there are still feelings of mistrust that hang about the notion of such vaccines.

What could be behind the continued misgivings regarding vaccines in the Filipino context? In this article, we examine how troll and bot accounts have negatively impacted views regarding vaccines, as well as what makes these accounts effective at spreading misinformation and creating mistrust.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/ADigitalVirusReferences

Research by JR Alvarez and Ivan Capuyan
Graphics by Zoe Moya
Layout by Chloe Oteyza

01/03/2021

Life is full of transitions and uncertainties, but one of the most challenging ones is maturing into young adults. We face greater responsibilities and are expected to act in certain ways and fulfill certain expectations. In truth, these external pressures and expectations can take a toll on our mental health.

As emerging adults, this article provides a foundation for understanding what we experience in these coming-of-age stages. We aim to tackle the reasons why we might feel more pressured and anxious, and how these affect our wellbeing as we mature. This may be a time when more is expected of us, but it is also one of self-discovery.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/OnExpectationsAndRealityReferences

Research by JR Alvarez and Danie de Guzman
Illustrations by Frances Lopez
Layout by Eric Jabagat

18/02/2021

As typhoons come and go, Filipinos have learned to deem these calamities as something to deal with often. That, of course, is not to say that Filipinos are used to it, though that is how we are portrayed to be.

Filipinos are famous for being resilient, being able to smile during and after each disaster. However, is it truly Filipino resilience or unhealthy coping mechanisms developed due to the lack of disaster psychology in the Philippines?

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/DisasterPsychologyAndFilipinoResilienceReferences

Research by Cassie Eduardo
Graphics by Han Miralles
Layout by Mickey Manapsal

14/02/2021

Life has certainly taken a turn with the onset of the pandemic and the changes it brought to our everyday living, but our desire for love remains constant. Though it's admittedly more challenging now to find “the one,” it's certainly not impossible. Dating apps have been available to us even before the pandemic, but it seems that we might need them more now.

But don’t worry – if you’ve never tried a dating app, this is what these tips are for! We hope they help you find the right person.

Happy Valentine’s Day 💞

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/DigitalLoveReferences

Research by Danie de Guzman and Lia Salvanera
Graphics by Tiffany Cu

06/02/2021

Social deduction games have been taking over pop culture by storm. Among Us has soared in popularity over the last nine months, proving itself to be among the top social deduction games of all time. Deception is the name of the game and no one other than yourself can be trusted.

How do you find the liar?

How do you become the liar?

No one is safe and no one is innocent. Let’s take a deeper look into the inner workings of the minds of Among Us players and how they work together and against each other to complete their goal.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this post? You can view our references here: bit.ly/SocialDeductionReferences

Research by Aga Villaroman and Julia Quilatan
Media by Kezia Obbus
Layout by Nicolah Gapuz

01/02/2021

Undeniably, natural calamity is a persistent issue faced by the Filipino people. Although much has been made to prepare for disasters and provide relief for the victims, little has been said on those who have to live through their psychological trauma.

For this segment of Mental Health Mondays, we invite you to learn more about post-traumatic stress order (PTSD) as brought upon by natural calamities, as well as what we have done and can do to mitigate the traumatic effects to the victims.

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/NotSoResilientReferences

Research by Lia Salvanera
Media by Chloe Oteyza
Layout by Mike Manongas

27/01/2021

With physical contact integrated so much into our lives, we become vastly dependent on it – whether we are aware of this or not. In fact, being deprived of it can lead to a number of mental and physical illnesses; and in a time of a pandemic and social isolation, we may begin to feel these consequences.

In this article, we will tackle the importance of physical contact in our survival, a concept that may be overlooked by many while also establishing a strong connection between what is physical and what is psychological.

As such, to provide a more concrete application, we will also delve into our current context under quarantine, where we find ourselves unable to physically interact with our loved ones, possibly putting us in a state of “touch starvation.”

Don't forget to like the Psyche Today and Ateneo Psyche pages to learn more about the applications of psychological concepts to everyday life!

Interested in reading the studies behind this article? You can view our references here: bit.ly/DisconnectedConnectionReferences

Research by Danie De Guzman
Illustrations by Zoe Moya
Layout by Frances Lopez

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