Najih's Blog

We all face stress. Whether it’s a looming deadline, a financial crisis, or a life-threatening emergency, the external trigger might be the same — but how we react varies wildly. Some people shake, panic, or shut down. Others stay focused, even calm. So what separates the two? Why do some people break while others barely flinch? Here’s what psychology, evolutionary behavior, and science tell us about how humans process stress — and why your reaction isn’t just about “mental toughness.” The Stress Response Is Universal — But Its Expression Is Not What Science Says Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, launching a biological chain reaction: adrenaline spikes, heart rate jumps, blood flow redirects. This is the fight-or-flight response, and it’s baked into all of us. But here’s the key: while the mechanism is shared, the threshold and output are not. In other words, we all have the same internal buttons — but how easily they’re pressed, and how loud the alarm rings, depends on ...

“Everyone is craving dominion. Once you serve dominion to everyone around you in a controlled dose, everyone will be fine with you.” This may sound Machiavellian—but behind this insight lies a deep truth rooted in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science. In workplaces, friendships, families—even in fleeting social interactions—people subtly (or overtly) crave control, recognition, and influence. In other words, dominion. When people feel powerless or overlooked, they resist, resent, or rebel. But when they are seen, heard, and given even a small sense of power, the social fabric stays intact. Let’s explore the science behind this. 🔹  The Psychology of Power: A Basic Human Drive From Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we know that once basic needs are met, humans yearn for esteem and self-actualization. Esteem includes respect, recognition, and status—essentially, a sense of personal dominion. David McClelland’s Theory of Needs adds more structure. He identified three co...