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Valentine's Day and the Pressure of Romantic Expectations:A Psychological Perspective on Performative Love
Abstract Valentine's Day represents a culturally significant moment that can generate social pressure and unrealistic expectations in romantic relationships. This article examines how performative expectations, fueled by idealized romantic narratives, can negatively influence the quality of intimate relationships. Through the analysis of attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969), love languages (Chapman, 1992), and empirical research on couple dynamics (Gottman & Silver, 1999), it is
Feb 136 min read


The DSM Is Getting a Makeover: Understanding the APA’s Roadmap for the Future of Psychiatric Diagnosis
Article written in reference to the following: https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/apa-releases-roadmap-for-future-of-dsm (accessed February 10th 2026) The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has released a forward-looking roadmap outlining potential changes to the future of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Although no immediate revisions have been implemented, the document signals a significant conceptual shift in how psychi
Feb 134 min read


Metaphonological skills: the foundations of learning to read and write
Article written in collaboration with @tutor.dellapprendimento Introduction Metaphonological skills represent one of the most studied constructs in developmental and learning psychology, proving to be a fundamental predictor for the acquisition of reading and writing skills. These skills, defined as the ability to consciously reflect, manipulate, and operate on the sounds that make up spoken language, fall within the broader domain of metalinguistic skills (Stella & Pippo, 20
Feb 107 min read


The Foundations of Psychodynamic Psychology: A Journey into the Human Mind
Introduction Psychodynamic psychology represents one of the most influential and fascinating approaches to the study of the human mind. Born from the revolutionary insights of Sigmund Freud in the late nineteenth century, this perspective has profoundly transformed not only psychology and psychiatry, but also culture, art, and the very way we understand ourselves and others. But what exactly does "psychodynamic" mean? The term derives from the idea that mental functioning is
Feb 105 min read


Algorithmic Polarization: From Physical Masses to Digital Echo ChambersFeature article
Article written in collaboration with @domiziaromani.psicologa Abstract This article analyzes the phenomenon of algorithmic polarization as a contemporary evolution of mass dynamics studied by classical social psychology. Starting from the founding theories of Le Bon, Freud, and Tarde, we examine how social media algorithms have automated and amplified collective psychological mechanisms, creating digital ecosystems characterized by filter bubbles and echo chambers. The analy
Feb 1022 min read


The Love Languages: Understanding How We Express and Receive Love in Relationships
Article written in collaboration with @meriodoc General Introduction to Love Languages The concept of “love languages” was introduced by Gary Chapman in the early 1990s as a descriptive tool to understand the ways in which people tend to express and perceive affection within intimate relationships (Chapman, 1992). According to this model, love is not merely an emotion but a communicative process that requires a shared channel for the message to be received accurately. Many re
Feb 99 min read


WORKPLACE MOBBING AND CYBERBULLYING: DYNAMICS, CONSEQUENCES, AND PREVENTION
Article written in collaboration with @DOTT.SSA_FEDERICAFLAMMENT Mobbing as an Organizational Phenomenon Mobbing represents one of the most pervasive and harmful forms of psychological violence in contemporary work contexts. It is not a single isolated event, but rather a systematically hostile and prolonged form of communication that develops within professional relationships (Leymann, 1996). This phenomenon typically targets an individual who occupies a position of lower fo
Feb 57 min read


Healthy Boundaries at Work: A Self-Regulation Approach to Wellbeing
Article written in collaboration with @theorganizationalpsychologist Research in industrial–organizational (I-O) psychology consistently shows that healthy work boundaries are essential for employee wellbeing and sustainable performance. Rather than being a sign of low commitment, boundaries function as a form of self-regulation that protects limited personal resources (Muraven & Baumeister, 2000; Hobfoll, 1989). This article outlines four evidence-based principles that help
Feb 57 min read


The Four Trauma Responses: Understanding the Nervous System's Defense Mechanisms
Introduction When we face a situation perceived as threatening or traumatic, our nervous system automatically activates a series of protective responses that have deep roots in our evolution. These responses – commonly identified as fight, flight, freeze, and fawn – represent survival strategies that the body and mind have developed to ensure our safety (Porges, 2011; van der Kolk, 2014). While these reactions are adaptive in contexts of real danger, they can become problemat
Feb 47 min read


Self-Determination Theory: From Theoretical Foundations to Contemporary Applications in Education, Health, and Technology
Article co-authored with @evuzlab What is SDT? Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a scientific theory of human motivation developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan in the 1980s and is now considered one of the most robust models in contemporary psychology (Ryan & Deci, 2000; Deci & Ryan, 2012). Echoing what the authors state in their 2008 article “Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health”, “Self-Determination Theory focuses on the
Feb 412 min read


The Impact of Parental Words on the Psychological Development of Children:An Analysis of Scientific Evidence
Abstract Parental language represents one of the most influential factors in children's psychological, emotional, and cognitive development. This article reviews the scientific evidence on the impact of parental verbal communication on children's and adolescents' identity formation, self-esteem, and cognitive abilities. Through an analysis of recent literature in developmental psychology, neuroscience, and attachment theory, it emerges that parental words do not constitute si
Feb 313 min read


Sexuality and ADHD in Children and Adolescents: A Psychological Perspective on Development, Risk, and Prevention
Article written in collaboration with @VALENTINA.TUTOR1 Introduction: ADHD, Development, and Sexuality as an Emerging Topic Sexuality represents a central dimension of human development and manifests from early childhood through bodily curiosity, exploration, and the progressive construction of affective and relational identity. In children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), this process may take on specific characteristics related to the ne
Jan 308 min read


Giftedness: A Complex Neurodivergence Beyond the Myth of Excellence
Article written in collaboration with @psyalessia_pasquali Definition and Theoretical Models of Giftedness Giftedness has historically been associated almost exclusively with intelligence quotient, but contemporary literature has largely moved beyond this reductionist view. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Lewis Terman initiated one of the first systematic studies on children with high cognitive potential, emphasizing that elevated intelligence was a relatively sta
Jan 275 min read


Why Growing Up Matters for Mental Health
An in-depth, plain-language summary of new research on youth development, mental health, and personality functioning Read The Full Research: Adolescence and emerging adulthood are often described as periods of growth, exploration, and opportunity. For many young people, however, these years are also marked by emotional suffering, psychological distress, and difficulties finding their place in the world. A recent longitudinal study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolesc
Jan 265 min read


Understanding Psychological Research: From Methodology to Tool Selection
Psychological research is the foundation upon which our understanding of human behavior, cognition, and emotional development is built. Without systematic research, psychology would rely on intuition, anecdotal evidence, or personal belief rather than scientific knowledge. Research allows psychologists to explain behavior, predict future outcomes, and design interventions that improve individual and societal well-being. For this reason, understanding how research is conducted
Jan 246 min read


TRAJECTORIES #1: Beyond the Crime: A Look at the Author
Martina Erba, Psychologist Introduction to the theme of the month This month, our library opens up to complex and often avoided territory: the look at the perpetrator. Talking about human development also means questioning difficult trajectories, stories that are not read only through the lens of judgment or guilt. In this issue, we cross the line between developmental psychology, criminology, and clinical practice to ask ourselves what it means to work with those who have co
Jan 2310 min read


ABC Model and Tolerance Window: Understanding, Observing, and Regulating Your Emotional Responses
Article written in collaboration with @martinaorlando_psicologa Introduction: Why do we react like this? Understanding your emotional reactions is one of the most complex challenges in everyday life. Many people experience moments of hyperactivation or hyposatisfaction without being able to explain what "triggered” that response. In psychology, two theoretical and practical tools prove particularly useful for giving order to what happens inside us: the ABC model , initially p
Jan 215 min read


The Relationship Between Parents and Adolescent Children in Contemporary Society
Article written in collaboration with @ psicologa_giuliamoretti Parents and Adolescents in Contemporary Society Raising an adolescent child in contemporary society represents a complex challenge that involves psychological, relational, cultural, and social dimensions. Parents are required to perform their role within a context characterized by rapid change, where values, educational models, and normative references are less stable than in the past. The family is no longer the
Jan 2010 min read


Attachment Styles: Relational Models, Development, and Clinical Implications
Article written in collaboration with @MERIODOC Introduction to Attachment Styles Attachment theory originated within developmental psychology to explain the human need to form meaningful emotional bonds. John Bowlby conceptualized attachment as an innate motivational system aimed at seeking safety from significant others (Bowlby, 1969). These early bonds influence emotional regulation and relational patterns across the lifespan. Repeated experiences with caregivers contribut
Jan 194 min read


Binge-Watching and Reward Mechanisms: A Neuropsychological Perspective
Introduction In recent years, the consumption of audiovisual content has undergone a profound transformation following the widespread diffusion of digital streaming platforms. The possibility of instant access to entire seasons of television series has substantially modified viewing habits, promoting increasingly prolonged and continuous patterns of consumption. Within this context, the phenomenon of binge-watching has emerged, defined as the consecutive viewing of multiple e
Jan 189 min read
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