A Stressed Homo Sapien

 Homo sapiens, begin life helpless and totally dependent on other humans for survival. This is accompanied by physiological instincts, being subjected to external dangers like nature or enemies, associating with other humans, cultural traditions, and as a result we experience fears, tensions, anxiety and anger. We are subjected to various degrees of quantity or quality of such common to all, regardless of how they are or were originated. Then, through psychological development, we develop strategies, tendencies and techniques in confronting what it is to be human and how to effectively live in society. With conflict, we experience degrees of tension, anxiety and anger which may be repressed or expressed physically or verbally. The  dynamics of such are related in the how and why we interact with certain individuals in a particular manner in order to meet psychological needs of receiving affection;  becoming emotionally distant ; or acquiring and exploiting others for   power, control, prestige and possession . Behavioral examples of such follow.

As social animals, we are dependent and form necessary associations with other Homo sapiens. We develop degrees of trust versus degrees of mistrust of others in upbringing as a result of physical interactions of perceived warmth, love, respect, overprotectiveness, neglect, rejection, threats of punishment, dependence, etc. A sense of trust or mistrust affects the perceived amount of safety, protection or anxiety we psychologically experience. Unfortunately, with or in spite of interpersonal interactions, we often find some form of inhibitions or fear in expressing needs, conflicts, competition, jealousy, disappointments, frustration and anger. Regardless, we often seek out, to love and affiliate with others; we often avoid, push away others in order to keep our emotional distance; or often move aggressively against others by exploiting and exhibiting power and control. Of course there are various degrees, patterns and variances within these behaviors. This, along with the potential to over inflate an unrealistic conception or perception of self is the human attempt to reduce, cope and deal with internal and external danger, insecurity, fear and anxiety that exists throughout one’s lifetime.

Driven by anxiety results in an attempt for protection against that fear, helplessness or insecurity. One way to “protect “is to develop a tendency to look for affection, being liked, being loved, finding unconditional love, sexual gratification, gathering faithful admirers or individuals whom  are loyal. Again, there can be harmonious or not so harmonious degrees and tendencies. Without the sense of feeling of being liked, can result in feelings of resentment and anger. Putting on frequent rallies, watching certain cable pundits, listening to particular radio hosts are commonly employed habits in the attempt to experience protection and a reduction in the tension and anxiety, in order to attain homeostasis or to regain wellbeing.

Another way in our culture for obtaining some form of reassurance against anxiety, is a tendency to seek out power, prestige and possession. In this case, there’s an obvious move against others in an attempt to fortify one’s own position. Unfortunately, if the striving for power is born out of anxiety, hatred, and feeling of inferiority, individuals perceived as being weak is accompanied by repressed or not repressed hostility toward them. These domineering individuals that have an exaggerated need for power, have difficulty accepting, listening to guidance, advice or help or even giving in, and agreeing with others as in “I know more than the general’s . Likely, this individual has contempt for people that he perceives as weak and admires the strong as in the dictators in Russia, North Korea and Turkey. He also has to be able to control others and be in charge in directing outcomes. He even created a National Emergency .He has to be right all the time, and his difficulty with the facts, especially given from someone else, and referring to it as “fake news.” He’s like a little child with a temper tantrum. He has to have his own way, is impatient, has a low frustration tolerance, creates havoc and  instability and is irritated if others do not do exactly what he expects them to do .He never gives in or apologizes  because that’s perceived as a personal weakness .

Along with this need for power as a protection against helplessness and against insignificance is a tendency for prestige. There’s a need to impress others, to be admired, to be respected and to humiliate others. This individual has no difficulty spending money lavishly and conspicuously and openly talk about how great he is and his billions. He is not able to have any association unless they are a “loyal” friend, wife, dedicated employee, etc. They have to admire him as he surrounds himself with fans, enthusiasts and loyalists. Self-worth and self-esteem, rests on, being admired. This attempt to inflate ego is really a protection against feeling insignificant, humiliated for the sake of repairing his fragile and crushed self-esteem. Furthermore, expressing hostility, usually takes the form of humiliating others, being a bully, and discriminating against others, per daily tweets” Andrew McCabe is a traitor” and “The New York Times is an enemy of the people.”

In our culture, the striving for possession, as in wealth gives both power and prestige. However, the quest for possession, is not only directed toward money or material things, it can also appear as a controlling attitude towards others. Moreover, there’s a tendency to deprive others, which can lead to cheating, and stealing. Looking into tax returns and dealings with the Deutsche Bank is perceived as crossing a red line. Language becomes rationalized in being able to outwit, outmaneuver and outsmart everyone else. It’s also not uncommon with this to be a grudging attitude to exploit, declare bankruptcy, not pay debt, create a fake university, or set up an unscrupulous foundation as well.

His current defensive behavior is not unexpected. He continues to be under attack, and even more so with media, social media, 2020 election, Mueller investigation, indictments and jail sentences for his team and now with the Democrats in charge of the House. Currently, there’s no safety net or barrier to protect this psychologically vulnerable, stressed individual. As a result, we can expect the continued conflict, anxiety and anger to be expressed physically and verbally inappropriately in attempting to meet his needs of affection, power, prestige and possession.

PS

For additional information, consult Karen Horney’s “The Neurotic Personality of Our Time” published by WW Norton and Company, Inc.