Deutsch: Management / Español: gestión / Português: gestão / Français: gestion / Italiano: gestione
Management in the context of psychology refers to the application of psychological principles and methods to understand, guide, and improve how individuals and groups are directed and coordinated within organizational and personal contexts. It includes leadership, motivation, conflict resolution, decision-making, time control, and emotional regulation. Psychological management is relevant in both workplace and self-regulation domains.
Description
In psychology, management can be divided into two major areas:
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Organizational Management: Focuses on managing people within groups or institutions (e.g. businesses, schools, healthcare), often involving leadership psychology, team dynamics, work motivation, communication styles, and organizational culture. Here, the goal is to create efficient, healthy, and productive environments.
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Self-Management: Refers to an individual’s ability to regulate emotions, behaviour, time, and decisions. It includes emotional self-control, stress management, goal setting, and behavioural monitoring. Self-management skills are fundamental to mental health and personal development.
Both domains are interconnected: Leaders with good self-management are generally more effective at managing others, and people with psychological insight manage their environments more constructively.
Typical Manifestations
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Positive:
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Clear goal-setting and delegation in leadership roles
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Emotional resilience and stress tolerance
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Effective time and energy management
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Conflict resolution and mediation skills
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Negative / Dysfunctional:
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Micromanagement or authoritarian control
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Burnout from poor workload management
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Avoidance of responsibility
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Poor emotional regulation (e.g. explosive anger, chronic anxiety)
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Recommendations
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Develop emotional intelligence: Being aware of one’s own and others’ emotions is essential for effective psychological management.
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Set clear boundaries: Helps prevent overload and confusion in both self- and group management.
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Use time management tools: Prioritisation, planning, and breaks improve mental focus.
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Foster open communication: Builds trust and prevents misunderstandings in teams.
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Model calm behaviour: Emotionally regulated managers influence their environment positively.
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Encourage autonomy: In group settings, allowing self-directed work improves motivation.
Application in Personal Life
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Self-management supports better relationships, less impulsivity, and improved mental health.
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Parenting and caregiving require consistent psychological management of both self and others.
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In relationships, managing conflict constructively and expressing needs clearly are crucial skills.
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Psychological management is critical during life transitions, stress periods, and decision-heavy phases.
Well-Known Examples
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Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence Model: Includes self-management and relationship management as core skills.
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Transactional Analysis in leadership: Explains management styles based on psychological ego states.
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Time Management Matrix (Covey): Helps prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance, enhancing cognitive clarity.
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Transformational Leadership Theory: Connects psychological insight with effective and inspiring leadership.
Symptoms, Therapy, and Healing
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Symptoms of poor management:
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Chronic disorganisation, lateness, or task avoidance
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Emotional outbursts, anxiety, or apathy
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Ineffective communication, team conflict
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Low self-efficacy or burnout
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Therapeutic approaches:
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Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Teaches self-monitoring, restructuring of maladaptive beliefs, and behavioural planning.
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Enhances self-awareness and emotion regulation.
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Executive coaching: Helps managers align leadership style with psychological best practices.
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Behavioural interventions: Especially for ADHD, focus on goal tracking, reward systems, and planning routines.
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Healing strategies:
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Learn and practise emotional self-regulation techniques.
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Use reflective journals or feedback tools for growth.
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Build routines that reduce cognitive overload.
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Seek feedback to calibrate your interpersonal management style.
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Examples of Sentences
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The supervisor’s poor management style led to high team turnover and burnout.
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Through therapy, she improved her self-management and reduced anxiety at work.
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Effective management of emotions allowed him to handle conflict calmly.
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Time management training helped the student cope with exam stress.
Similar Terms
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Leadership: The active role of guiding others, overlapping with psychological management.
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Self-regulation: Core of personal management, involves control over attention, emotions, and impulses.
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Executive functioning: Set of cognitive abilities that underpin planning, organisation, and goal-setting.
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Interpersonal skills: Necessary for managing social interactions effectively.
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Behavioural control: Part of management concerning actions, habits, and routines.
Summary
In psychology, management encompasses the regulation of emotions, actions, and interactions, both within oneself and in relation to others. Effective psychological management enhances productivity, well-being, and relationships. It can be strengthened through training, therapy, and practice, making it a cornerstone of personal and professional success.
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