Continuing with our look at the psychology of Star Wars, if we use the films as a template for our cultural zeitgeist, are we becoming more like Luke or more like Darth Vader?

Continuing with Episode II of my series on the psychology of Star Wars, this week Anakin’s son, Luke, deals with difficult emotions, like his father did, but in a totally different way. He develops a strong emotional center thanks to social connections and support.

It all starts with Anakin, the Boy Wonder of his time. It’s less about science fiction and more about something so many of us have trouble addressing: emotions.

Do you recognize these 9 characteristics of a bitter person? Have you experienced the toll that bitterness can take on relationships? The real secret to dealing with bitterness is learning to let go.

When we experience a traumatic or deeply upsetting event, it’s important to give ourselves the time and space to heal, and not expect recovery to be without its setbacks.

Are emotions like a cold? Can you be caught by others’ emotions? I think so. Just like we have some immunity to colds, and we won’t get one every time we are exposed, we can develop some immunity to others’ emotions.

In the heat of an argument, overwhelming emotions can rob us of our common sense. The fallout from these momentary explosions can last for years. Learning how to handle emotional storms can keep a bad moment from doing long-term damage to a relationship.