Thin Blue Mind / Smokey Heroes
Police Psychology | The Myth of Emotional Opposites: Video Post
by Gary S. Aumiller, Ph.D. ABPP
A myth that holds people back from having a good time in life if in a crisis.
Archive for the ‘Mastering Emotions’ Category
Police Psychology | Myth of Emotional Opposites: Video Post
Posted: August 23, 2016 in Mastering EmotionsTags: emotions, police psychology, police stress
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Police Psychology | Theory of Relativity: Video Post
Posted: August 9, 2016 in Mastering EmotionsTags: police psychology, police stress, relativity
Police Psychology | Angry!
Posted: July 19, 2016 in Mastering EmotionsTags: anger, police psychology, police stress
Police Psychology | Anger!
Nancy K Bohl-Penrod PhD, Director of the Counseling Team International
and The Southern California Critical Incident Stress Management Team
I am angry right now. I am seething and boiling. I am sure many of you feel the same way. First there is Dallas and now Louisiana. Cops getting killed. I am on fire. This has got to stop. I know what the research tells us about anger, “Ninety percent of anger is unjustified”. Well, guess what? Not today. These feelings are justified. You do not have to live in Dallas, or Baton Rough to be livid. What worries me, is the negative impact this intense feeling of rage we may be experiencing can have on all of us.
To all officers, please understand anger is a normal emotion caused by grief, frustration or tragic situations where you feel you, your department or profession has been wronged. Of course, in both of these horrific situations, we have all been wronged and our family members. There are times that anger and frustration can be useful, as long as it is expressed effectively. This is going to be difficult, but you have to control your rage, and remain professional. When anger is expressed correctly, it can protect you from threats to your safety, well-being, happiness, self-esteem and from losing your career. (more…)
Police Psychology | Managing Differences in a Healthy Marriage
Posted: June 9, 2016 in Mastering EmotionsTags: marriage, police psychology, teamwork
Police Psychology | Managing Differences in a Healthy Marriage
by Doug Gentz, Ph.D. – Tulsa, Oklahoma
All marriages start, and in some cases, end in court houses. This is because the state officially recognizes marriage as a legal business partnership. The partners in a marriage, just like in any other formal business partnership, share liabilities, assets, and authority in decision making. Partners need to get along with each other in the process of managing day to day operating challenges and in accomplishing their long term goals.
Even if you could marry your clone, you would still have differences. All partners in a marriage have differences which often create conflict. Sometimes couples can eliminate a difference if one person agrees to make a change that resolves the disparity; although the longer you’re together, the less frequently this will probably happen. For the most part you will have a lot more success in changing yourself than changing your partner. The sooner you accept that, the better. (more…)
Police Psychology | Appreciate the Limits of Your Cerebral Cortex When It Comes to Managing your Emotions
Posted: April 5, 2016 in Mastering EmotionsTags: brain, police psycholoy, police stress
Police Psychology | Appreciate the Limits of Your Cerebral Cortex When It Comes to Managing your Emotions
by Doug Gentz, Ph.D
Guest Blogger – Psychological Services, Tulsa, Oklahoma
People have at least three distinct levels of anatomy and function inside their heads. The top layer, less than a quarter of an inch thick, is the “human brain,” also called the cerebral cortex. This is the part of your 
brain that is responsible for all your higher functions – conscious thought, logical reasoning, and narrative language. It makes it possible for you to consider the past and plan the future. This type of brain structure and function is found only in humans.
The second level of your brain, which takes up most of the space in your head, is the Limbic System. All mammals have similar limbic systems and they work the same way and do the same functions in cats, dogs, cows, and people. You can think of it as your “dog brain.” Your dog brain has a limited understanding of language. Although it can’t talk or understand reason, it can respond and react to language as a type of signaling. Research suggests that most dogs can recognize up to about 200 words. (more…)
