The factors influencing the health-illness continuum can be internal or external and may or may not be under conscious control. They are related to the following eight human dimensions, and each dimension is interrelated to one other.

Thermodynamics studies the relationship between heat, work, temperature, and energy. A key concept in this field is a "system," the macroscopic part of the universe under observation. Systems can interact with their surroundings, leading to three types: open, closed, and isolated systems.Open systems permit the exchange of both matter and energy with their surroundings, like a boiling pot of water.In contrast, closed systems only allow the transfer of energy, restricting the movement of matter...

The actor-observer effect, a cognitive bias closely linked to the fundamental attribution error, refers to the tendency for individuals to attribute their behavior to external, situational factors while explaining others’ behavior in terms of internal, dispositional traits. This asymmetry in attribution significantly influences social perception and judgment.Cognitive Mechanisms Behind the EffectTwo primary psychological mechanisms contribute to the actor-observer effect: differences in...

Vision is the result of light being detected and transduced into neural signals by the retina of the eye. This information is then further analyzed and interpreted by the brain. First, light enters the front of the eye and is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina—a thin sheet of neural tissue lining the back of the eye. Because of refraction through the convex lens of the eye, images are projected onto the retina upside-down and reversed.

Light enters the eye through the cornea, a transparent, dome-shaped surface covering the surface of the eyeball that helps to direct and focus incoming light. This light is then channeled toward the pupil, an adjustable opening whose size is controlled by the iris. The iris, a pigmented muscle, regulates the amount of light entering the eye by contracting or dilating the pupil, thereby ensuring optimal light levels for clear vision.
Once through the pupil, the light passes through the lens, a...

Locus of control describes how individuals perceive the causes of events in their lives, influencing motivation and well-being. Introduced by Julian Rotter in 1954, it is categorized into internal and external locus of control.Internal Locus of ControlIndividuals with an internal locus of control believe their actions determine outcomes, fostering responsibility, self-efficacy, and motivation. For example, an employee may attribute career success to hard work. Research links this mindset to...