What does the butterfly effect mean in psychology?

"The flapping of a butterfly's wings can cause a hurricane in another part of the world"

This phrase summarizes this curious theory which states that every little act we do has enormous consequences in the world and in the people around us. We cannot calculate the effect that our decisions or our words will produce and thinking about it can generate a feeling of vertigo. However, this theory can be useful to us to be more careful with what we do or say.

This effect has been studied from different prisms and sciences such as physics or philosophical theory. You want to know what does the butterfly effect mean in psychology? Then do not hesitate to continue reading the following Psychology-Online article.

Index

1. Explanation of the butterfly effect according to psychology
2. The butterfly effect and chaos theory
3. Butterfly effect: examples and phrases
4. The Butterfly Effect: Movie

This curious phenomenon known as the butterfly effect was developed mainly by a meteorologist (Edward Norton) to explain variations in climate that could not be conceived by themselves and that could be explained as the sum of small changes progressives, with the passage of time, the butterfly effect was introduced in different theoretical fields such as physics, philosophy and, of course,

The butterfly effect theory He explains that a small change, a minimal action, can lead to unimaginable consequences. The butterfly effect affirms that there is a connection, an invisible thread in the universe that ties all our decisions together and turns them into repercussions. This theory is closely linked to the concept of Domino effect or chain effect.

What is the butterfly effect according to psychology

In psychology, we apply this theory to mentalize us that our actions have repercussions beyond us. We could say that this effect can motivate us to make small changes aimed at achieving the lifestyle we want so much and achieving a complete psychological well-being. This effect can help us understand the functioning of everything that surrounds us and the importance it has take care of every detail of our lifeEvery little decision we make can bring about the change we have been waiting for so long.

Let's take an example: it may be that the fact of deciding to take the bus instead of the train makes us meet that person who, in the future, will be our partner. It may also be that the comment we have made to our friend about the clothes she is wearing today causes her enormous discomfort and generates an important feeling sad. Be that as it may, we must take into account the influence of our acts and decisions in the lives of others and in our own.

Once we know what is the butterfly effect in psychology, it is important to define the famous chaos theory. The butterfly effect is part of a larger idea called chaos theory, this theory supposed a revolution in the way of understanding the universe and its operation. It has its origin in physics and mathematics and maintains the following:

• There are certain systems (for example, planet earth) that are very sensitive to small changes or variations, such changes can completely modify the nature of these systems. In other words, small initial variations can generate huge changes over time.

Chaos theory also claims to give an explanation to the universeWhy is it so difficult for us to understand how it works? If we take for granted that the universe is governed by chaos, we can understand that its behavior is unpredictable and can vary with minimal acts, such as our own decisions.

Once we have understood this idea, we can apply it in our day to day. We must bear in mind that we cannot predict or control absolutely everything around us and, for that reason, we have to focus on the here and now, taking into account that we are not alone and that we live surrounded by people who may be affected by our acts.

As we have been commenting throughout the article, the butterfly effect can be summarized in the concept of

"the flapping of a butterfly's wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world"

Phrases about the butterfly effect

From this premise we can put many examples and phrases of this effect in our day to day:

• Deciding to go to an event can make us meet an old friend, this meeting can cause your friendship to revive.
• Making a comment that we do not give importance to about the appearance of a person can make them feel bad and change that aspect.
• Throwing a cigarette butt on the ground and ignoring it can cause an uncontrollable fire.
• Deciding to change the route and take the subway can make us meet a person who, over time, can become someone very special in our lives.

All these examples can make us see the importance of small actions. After all, these are what make up our reality. After a great decision or change in our life, there is always a set of small details that have facilitated that situation.

So important and influential in our society has the butterfly effect become that an interesting film about it was released in 2004.

This film is titled "the butterfly Effect"and its main plot is based on a young man who, while trying to recover his childhood memories, he manages to travel in time and discover the power that small changes and decisions of the past have on his Present. The film contains an important message and a curious psychological reflection what is the butterfly effect.

Now that you know what the butterfly effect is and how important it is In our day to day, what can you do to improve your life from small decisions? Reflect on it and apply this curious effect in your day to day.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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