☕ Estimated time: a 3-min coffee break read
Before we dive into the “how,” I want to take a second to appreciate the “why.”
Honestly, the fact that you and I can sit here and scroll through insights about the human mind is a huge privilege, one that hasn’t always been a given. We really stand on the shoulders of generations of researchers who worked incredibly hard trying to figure out how we tick. I love the fact that with each generation, this information becomes more and more accessible. We’re taking science out of the academic “ivory towers” and bringing it into our daily lives, where it actually belongs.
But as we do that, we have to make sure we’re using these tools the right way. Here are three things I keep in mind so that science stays helpful, rather than just another set of labels.
Theoretical Models are Maps, not Territory
In my posts, I’ll often use theoretical models to explain mental health-related topics. But here’s the thing: a map is not the same thing as the actual territory.
Imagine you are hiking in a mountain forest. You look at a map that shows you the main trails and the elevation so you don’t get lost, but it doesn’t tell you how the wind feels on your face, the hidden side-paths, or which specific tree is your favourite to sit under for a break.
What theoretical models do is catch the patterns and relationships between variables. By shining a light on how different forces interact, they often mirror our own recognisable experiences back to us. It’s that feeling of: “Wait, I’ve felt that! I just didn’t have a word for it until now.”
However, it’s important to remember that these models only represent what has been observed so far. They are neither complete nor permanent. They are dynamic; they shift as we learn more. A model might explain a big chunk of a phenomenon, but it can’t capture your entire living experience. The model is intended to bring clarity, not to limit you. So, if you ever think, “Okay, I see the pattern, but my life feels way more complicated than this chart,” you are right.
The “WEIRD” Problem
Did you know that a lot of “universal truths” about human nature seem to come from studies done mostly on college students in Western countries?
In the research world, this is called the WEIRD problem (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic). A lot of what we think we know about psychology comes from a very specific, narrow group of people. This means the research may not represent the global population, potentially overlooking cultural differences and universal human variations by assuming that a small, privileged group defines the standard for everyone.
When you read a post, I invite you to ask yourself: “Does this actually fit my culture? My family? My reality?” If it doesn’t, you aren’t wrong. It just means the science is still growing and hasn’t caught up to your specific life yet. Have you ever felt like a standard piece of advice just didn’t translate to your world? This is often why.
Correlation vs. Causation
This is a big one. We see it in headlines all the time: “People who do [a specific behaviour] are happier!” But just because two things happen at the same time doesn’t mean one caused the other.
Think of it this way:
A study might find that people who own more books tend to be healthier.
Does this mean that the books cause the health?
Or does being healthy give you more energy to read?
Or is there a third variable, like having more money, that allows a person to afford both a home library and high-quality food and healthcare?
You see? Just because two factors are linked doesn’t mean we’ve found the source. But it is certainly a piece of the puzzle.
Why does this matter?
Like therapy, science is a living, breathing conversation that changes as we get better at asking questions. Think of these articles as a starting point for your own reflection. I’ll provide some research, but you’re the one who knows what it actually feels like to live your life.