By Dr. Michael Osit
Although physics concepts and laws apply to our physical environment and energy, there seems to be an interesting and prophetic overlap with the principles of human psychology. Think about a few of these intriguing correlations between physics and psychology.
First is Isaac Newton’s first law-identified as the law of inertia. It states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force. Many couples and parents try to initiate changes in their partners or children, respectively. This often ends up in frustration because they fail to create change in others. The object, in this case, your spouse or child, will maintain the same behavioral trajectory unless there is an external force causing them to want to change. People will change their behavior given an incentive or meaningful reward to do so. People will also change their behavior if they experience meaningful distress or to avoid distress. The force you need to utilize is to set up consequences, either positive or negative, instead of using just words to try to convince them to change.
A second physics concept is that an object in motion tends to stay in motion. In your life, if you are consistently taking productive steps toward happiness, success, and self-fulfillment, it is likely that you will continue to experience positive outcomes. Contrarily, if you are consistently using poor judgment, treating others poorly, cutting corners, and acting irresponsibly, your trajectory will continue to take a negative path. So, to stay on a positive path, be consistent with positive steps. To alter a consistently negative path, make appropriate changes.
Third is when two objects interact, they apply forces to each other of equal magnitude and opposite direction. If you are at odds in any of your relationships, having the same conflicts repeatedly, you are probably two forces that have equal oppositional postures. You need to recognize this history of oppositional or passive resistant behavior in each other and find a “force” or means of communication to attract one another instead of opposing.
A fourth physics concept is that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Well, two thoughts cannot occupy the same brain at the same time. So if you experience obsessive thoughts, repeatedly negative, self-denigrating thoughts, or excessive worry, you need to focus on something external outside of your brain. The external deflection precludes and replaces the negative thoughts inside your head. Focusing externally is also a great coping mechanism for stress and overwhelming feelings.
Finally, the physics principles associated with convex and concave mirrors are analogous to perceptions. The convex mirror bulges, which makes the object appear diminished in size, while the concave mirror creates an enlarged image. Neither are accurate representations of the image. As in convex and concave mirrors, people will often minimize or magnify situations in their life as a way of dealing with both small and large problems. This causes them to misjudge the reality of the situation and make problem-solving decisions based on their distorted perceptions.
Our physical world certainly overlaps with our psychological world. Pay attention to the properties of our physical world as a guide to handling your personal world.
Dr. Michael Osit is a Licensed Psychologist practicing in Warren, and the author of The Train Keeps Leaving Without Me: A Guide to Happiness, Freedom, and Self Fulfillment (2016), and Generation Text: Raising Well Adjusted Kids In An Age Of Instant Everything (2008).