Some definitions relate solely to the self, "a person's ability to see relationships among thoughts, feelings, and actions with the goal of learning the meanings and causes of his experiences and behaviors".
[3] The Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM) describes psychological mindedness as an individual's ability to observe and reflect on his or her own internal life.
This work recognises that the health and success of families, schools, hospitals, businesses, communities and indeed society as a whole depends in a large part on the psychological mindedness of the system or environment created by that institution.
It is well known that nurses on chaotic psychiatric wards have to shut off emotionally just to survive personally in the face of the overwhelming demands placed upon them.
Social workers having psychological mindedness in relation to themselves, enables them to understand their own thoughts and feelings and ensure that their personal values do not impact upon their professional practice.
Martin Seager[10] (2006) developed the concept of "psychological safety" to explain and address these kinds of problems in health care systems.
Martin was able to convene a group of distinguished thinkers from the full range of psychological approaches to produce a guiding document.