10/27(Sat) The Highly Sensitive Person (Host:Michael)

[Michael-liu]

Are you highly sensitive? You can find out by taking the self-test.http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test.htm

A highly sensitive person (HSP) is a person having the innate trait of high psychological sensitivity. Highly sensitive people, who comprise about a fifth of the population, may process sensory data much more deeply and thoroughly due to a biological difference in their nervous systems. This is a specific trait with key consequences that in the past has often been confused with innate shyness, social anxiety problems, inhibitedness, or even social phobia and innate fearfulness, introversion, and so on. Although the term is primarily used to describe humans, the trait is present in nearly all higher animals

The term "highly sensitive person" was coined by Dr. Elaine N. Aron in 1996, and the name is gaining popularity because it presents the trait in a positive light. It posits that shyness, inhibition, and fearfulness may or may not be acquired by highly sensitive people, depending on environmental challenges. Other names used to describe the trait in literature include "introverted emotional temperament", "chronic cortical/cortisol arousal", "hypervigilance", and "innate shyness".

If you find you are highly sensitive, or your child is, you need to begin by knowing the following:

Your trait is normal. It is found in 15 to 20% of the population--too many to be a disorder, but not enough to be well understood by the majority of those around you.

It is innate. In fact, biologists have found it to be in most or all animals, from fruit flies and fish to dogs, cats, horses, and primates. This trait reflects a certain type of survival strategy, being observant before acting. The brains of highly sensitive persons (HSPs) actually work a little differently than others'.

You are more aware than others of subtleties. This is mainly because your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. So even if you wear glasses, for example, you see more than others by noticing more.

You are also more easily overwhelmed. If you notice everything, you are naturally going to be overstimulated when things are too intense, complex, chaotic, or novel for a long time.

This trait is not a new discovery, but it has been misunderstood. Because HSPs prefer to look before entering new situations, they are often called "shy." But shyness is learned, not innate. In fact, 30% of HSPs are extraverts, although the trait is often mislabeled as introversion. It has also been called inhibitedness, fearfulness, or neuroticism. Some HSPs behave in these ways, but it is not innate to do so and not the basic trait.

Sensitivity is valued differently in different cultures. In cultures where it is not valued, HSPs tend to have low self-esteem. They are told "don't be so sensitive" so that they feel abnormal.

Session 1
1. Are you a highly sensitive person? Do you know any people ( friends, family members, celebrity) who are highly sensitive ?
2. “ In cultures where it is not valued, HSPs tend to have low self-esteem.” Discuss what “low self-esteem” is
3. “HSPs are often been confused with innate shyness, social anxiety problems, inhibitedness, or even social phobia” Do you know what “social phobia” is? Michael Liu thinks himself is sort of “social phobia” (no kidding, I am serious) Do you believe it?

Session 2
1. “It is found in 15 to 20% of the population is HSP” Do you think this is true?
2. “You are more aware than others of subtleties.” “You are also more easily overwhelmed.”
Please discuss the meaning of two sentences
3. Anything new happened to you recently? Share it with your table members ( ex. books you read, movies you saw, new friends you made)

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Agenda:
3:30 ~ 4:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
4:00 ~ 4:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
4:10 ~ 5:10pm
5:10 ~ 5:25pm Session I Summary
5:25 ~ 5:35pm Taking a 10 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
5:35 ~ 6:15pm
6:15 ~ Session II Summary / Concluding Remarks / Announcements
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聚會日期：列於該貼文主題內
聚會時間：請準時 3:30 pm 到 ~ 約 6:30 pm 左右結束
星期六聚會地點：丹堤濟南店
地址、電話：台北市濟南路三段25號 地圖 (02) 2740-2350
捷運站：板南線 忠孝新生站 3 號出口
走法：出忠孝新生站 3 號出口後，沿著巷子(忠孝東路三段10巷)走約 2 分鐘，到了濟南路口，左轉走約 2 分鐘即可看到。
最低消費： 80 元

注意事項：
1. 文章是否需要列印請自行斟酌，但與會者請務必自行列印 Questions for discussion。
2. 與會者請先閱讀過文章，並仔細想過所有的問題，謝謝合作！

給新朋友的話：
1. 請事先準備2~3分鐘的英語自我介紹；會議結束前可能會請你發表1~2分鐘的感想。
2. 請事先閱讀文章以及主持人所提的討論問題，並事先寫下自己所欲發表意見的英文。
3. 全程以英語進行，參加者應具備中等英語會話能力，對任一討論問題，能夠以5到10句英文表達個人見解。
4. 在正式加入之前，可以先來觀摩三次，觀摩者亦須參與討論。正式加入需繳交終身會費 NT$1,000。