Morality

In A Dictionary of Psychology, conscience was defined as: “ an individual’s system of accepted moral principles, or principles of conduct, or alternately, and usually, the functioning of such system with reference to enact, contemplated or performed, which threatens violation of the principles, involving emotional as well as intellectual function.” It is my position that there has been a significant clear-cut weakening or erosion of conscience in our country. As a result, the statistics regarding opioid dependence, frequency and length of wars, increase of suicides, especially military veterans or personnel, the high number of divorces etc., are associated with this erosion. These facts also suggest a significant confusion and contradiction of many of our long-standing ideals and beliefs. With the definition of conscience, we can now focus, with a brief simplified view of, some factors that contribute to the problems associated with the development of conscience. It is generally accepted that the development of conscience begins very early .This dynamic actually begins with the interpersonal or mutual relationship between the infant and his caretaker or caretakers. That caretaker is normally the mother but can be any other object, such as a babysitter, home health caretaker etc. The helpless and dependent infant begins life with its physiological or biological needs [food, water, changing of diaper, and cold, warm, or other discomforts requiring to be met by that significant other. However, there is no one Bible, manual, cookbook, or app of instructions for a guide. The infant cries which is one indication of an unmet need. Crying can vary in pitch, loudness, and duration. That obviously is one way in which the infant initially communicates. Simply, the task of the caretaker is to meet and resolve that unresolved need. The caretaker may or may not know the reason for the crying of the baby. The caretaker cannot be expected to be able to understand all crying responses or know when to appropriately intervene. More than likely, there’s irregularity as to the time of the response, as well as the manner of response. The caretaker has emotional needs and schedules as well. This means that sometimes the caretaker allows the child to cry it out; sometimes the caretaker may respond with irritability; and sometimes the caretaker gives the perfect timely warm and nurturing response that resolves the difficulty. None of us can remember the exact ratio of positive to negative responses that we received from our parents during that phase of development. However, one thing is clear in that the caretaker’s response significantly affects the emotional development of the infant. Can the infant trust a regularity with the right response? Or, does an Irregularity of response confuse, irritate or frustrate the baby? If so, trusting that the caretaker is going to be there appropriately affects the development to the degree of love and anger that develops towards the caretaker or caretakers. The question “do you love me” comes to mind throughout one’s lifetime development. To Be Continued