Mythological conceptualization, cognitive and ego development: Is there a correlation ?

Journal Title: INDIAN JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH - Year 2019, Vol 6, Issue 2

Abstract

Background: In today’s world there is a continuous struggle between science and spirituality, with a lot of doctors feeling that religion gets in the way of scientific treatment and sometimes also leads to very dire and dangerous consequences. While a lot of older concepts are invalid today, there is a reason why such concepts existed in the first place and they were also backed by some sort of logic and rationale. It is therefore essential to compare and correlate the older concepts with the newer ones since they shall also give an insight regarding the existing psychological concepts at that time. Methodology: We studied and compared the various stages of ego development currently accepted mainly including Loevinger’s and Piaget’s stages of ego and cognitive development and correlated it with the Indian mythological concepts of Manas, Buddhi, Chitta and Ahamkara. They can also be correlated with certain concepts by Freud, Jung and Erikson. The sources of this information were various religious scriptures like the Vedas and the Bhagwad Gita and at the same time we have correlated it with various interpretations mentioned in encyclopaedias like Britannica and DK. Result: While the study is our interpretation of the review of literature, we do realize that mythological concepts are very abstract due to the wide time span; and various writers and scripture producers and their interpretations are also very subjective. The clinical significance of this paper comprises of correlation of various symptoms with older concepts like disorders in Manas may mean perceptual disturbances or disturbances in Buddhi may translate to disturbances in executive functions. Conclusion: While a lot of mental healthcare professionals do have a lot of scepticism in being open to the mythological concepts of human psychology, this paper emphasises that there was a certain observable and objective basis to these concepts exist, which can also be co-related with the modern-day concepts of psychology.

Authors and Affiliations

Manan Thakrar, Prashant Mukadam, Falguni Patel, Bhaveshkumar M. Lakdawala, Rajendra A. Thakrar

Keywords

Related Articles

The impact of personality types and gender on attitude towards drinking alcohol in patients with depression

Background: Personality does play a role in the genesis of both depression and alcohol dependence. It is well known that patients with depression may indulge in alcohol consumption that in turn may lead to dependence. Me...

The Relationship between Psychological Hardiness, Coping Strategies and Perceived Stress among Working Adults

Background: In this modern era, stress is an unavoidable aspect in everyday life which can have an adverse impact on one’s psychological and physical well-being. The daily stress faced by full time employed working men a...

Differences in Parental Differential Treatment, Locus Of Control and Achievement Motivation among The First And Last Born

Introduction: The aim of this research was to examine differences between first and last born individuals in areas of perceived levels of Parental Differential Treatment (PDT), Locus of Control (LOC) and Achievement moti...

The Impact of Anxiety on Self - Concept and Adjustment of Adolescents with Learning Disabilities in Mumbai

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety, self - concept and adjustment among adolescent with learning disabilities (LD) in Mumbai. The study consisted of 59 male and 51 female...

Self Efficacy and Spirituality – is there a correlation

Background: Spirituality has been prevalent since the evolution of mankind started. However, the means of practicing spirituality has changed over time. It is claimed by many that any form of spirituality has a positive...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP606716
  • DOI 10.30877/IJMH.6.2.2019.130-133
  • Views 101
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Manan Thakrar, Prashant Mukadam, Falguni Patel, Bhaveshkumar M. Lakdawala, Rajendra A. Thakrar (2019). Mythological conceptualization, cognitive and ego development: Is there a correlation ?. INDIAN JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH, 6(2), 130-133. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-606716