Beyond well-being : the fascination of risk and of the new psychological addictions

173 Pages·2013·4.19 MB·English

by  Tappatà

PSYCHOLOGY OF EMOTIONS, MOTIVATIONS AND ACTIONS

B W -B
EYOND ELL EING

T F R
HE ASCINATION OF ISK
N
AND OF THE EW
P A
SYCHOLOGICAL DDICTIONS

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P E , M
SYCHOLOGY OF MOTIONS OTIVATIONS
A
AND CTIONS

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PSYCHOLOGY OF EMOTIONS, MOTIVATIONS AND ACTIONS

B W -B
EYOND ELL EING

T F R
HE ASCINATION OF ISK
N
AND OF THE EW
P A
SYCHOLOGICAL DDICTIONS

LAURA TAPPATÀ

New York
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Beyond well-being : the fascination of risk and of the new psychological addictions / editor, Laura
Tappat` (Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy).
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: (cid:28)(cid:26)(cid:27)(cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:25)(cid:21)(cid:25)(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:16)(cid:19)(cid:21)(cid:26)(cid:16)(cid:26) (eBook)
1. Well-being. 2. Self-esteem. 3. Quality of life. I. Tappat`, Laura.
BF575.H27B4696 2013
155.2'5--dc23
2013001528

Published by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. †New York
CONTENTS

Foreword vii
Preface ix
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 Theories and Methods in Health Psychology. In Search of Well-Being 5
Chapter 2 The Fascination of Risk. A Compulsory Choice for Young People? 23
Chapter 3 The Post-Modern Identity and Sensation Seeking. Reflections on Binge
Drinking 47
Chapter 4 The Fascination of the New Non-Drug Addictions 73
Conclusion 125
References 129
Index 149

FOREWORD

In this thought-provoking book, Laura Tappatà brilliantly guides the reader from a
description of the existential problem of psychological addictions to a possible solution
leading to a potentially positive outcome for the individual.
The central theme of the book is anchored in the dismal nature of “postmodern identity”
with a focus on searching for meaning in what we are and who we are. This identity is
characterized as being narcissistic and fragile, suggesting from the outset that we need to
somehow strive for a stronger and more well-defined self in order to, first, survive and, then,
possibly thrive emotionally. Living in this postmodern world naturally leads to a superficial
existence and the seemingly blind quest of acquiring nonessential and meaningless things
designed to bolster our ill-defined, weak and vulnerable self. Although this leads to a false
sense of happiness, it does not generate true contentment let alone a sense of well-being. As
such, many of us are left to drift with few essential values, certainties and stable points of
reference.
The attention we devote to our identity, which is based on the ability to look inward,
contributes to the creation of our personal life which is not a constellation of accidental events
but the result of the way we look at ourselves. Here lies both the essence of the problem as
well as the potential solution. This ability and process of looking at and focusing on
ourselves, according to the authoress, becomes “a mental coin to invest carefully.” And she
argues that “we have to understand how to protect it and how best to spend it, because our
resources are not infinite.” Not spending this mental coin wisely is exemplified in our quest
for immediate gratification and a false sense of happiness, with the risk of falling into the trap
of becoming slaves to desires and urges that lead to what she refers to as “the new
psychological addictions” such as our obsession with the Internet, technological gadgets,
shopping, sex, healthy eating, exercising and the like.
The above condition highlights the need and value of understanding the meaning of our
lives and of what and who we are. Moreover, the adeptness and depth of our self-awareness
plays an important role in either becoming hooked on the psychological addictions described
by the authoress or freeing ourselves from them. Attention, which is essentially looking at and
focusing on ourselves and our world, is a valuable human asset, because it impacts motivation
that helps us become more engaged in this process in addition to trying to understand these
addictions and the risks involved. It empowers us to focus and expands the limits of our mind
and mental powers, elevates the spirit and our ability to perceive everyday life with sharpened
viii Laura Tappatà
awareness. Many individuals live a life of spiritual imbalance based on the authoress’
message, which impedes our ability to free ourselves from these psychological addictions as
well as suggests the need for “spiritual balancing” as described by some. Here lies a possible
solution to the problem eloquently described in this book. As such, the solution could be the
end result, or ongoing task, of optimally combining, integrating and balancing our belief in
what is fundamentally important in life with our mental, emotional, social and moral
capabilities. These combined and balanced capabilities help us survive, adapt, do the right
things and eventually achieve a sense of stability and true well-being (and not a false sense of
happiness and momentary satisfaction) in ourselves, our interpersonal relationships and,
hopefully, the ability to go beyond our egotistical selves and do something for the greater
good of others, the community and society.
There is often a degree of fascination surrounding this search for balance as well as the
fear of the risks involved, and both can become a path for personal growth, a space for self-
realization and the expression of one’s underlying identity. This also offers a way for people
to overcome their fears, demonstrate their courage and prove themselves.
This book attempts to lead the reader on the path from “the postmodern dependence on
psychological addictions” to freedom, the expression of one’s identity and a true sense of
well-being.

Reuven Bar-On
September 30th, 2012