Politics and Fear

 

The cliché “ what makes Johnny click “ has been pondered by the greatest  philosophers.  Determinants of conduct have been explained as based on knowledge, instinct , free will ,unconscious factors, hedonism , needs etc.  Machiavelli , in the 16th century, observed the government of Florence.  He concluded , was inferior to those of ancient times and attributed the defects to education and to religion.  He saw  princes motivated to gain power by egoism.  Machiavelli thought that the major motives used to manipulate the populace were fear and love with fear being stronger and more durable.  This essay addresses fear with its implications and ramifications.

Otto Rank wrote about  birth, and man's motivation to avoid  separation anxiety.  Afterbirth, the infant's survival, security and well-being is primarily based on the mother or caretaker with its need for dependence and affiliation . Within this dyad, results  in the emotions  of fear, anxiety, tension and stress .These terms are used interchangeably.  While pursuing pleasure, security  and survival from the mother, it also experiences  conflict, frustration and tension with the object . In other words, the need for affiliation results in experiencing degrees of pleasure, love, comfort, as well as  elements  and expressions of tension, frustration, conflict, aggression, hate and hostility. Early learning experiences and their associations  first begin, according to Piaget, in the sensorimotor stage; then the preoperational stage ; the concrete  and finally the formal  operational stages of development . With that in mind , are examples of what can take place in the primitive mind of youngsters based on interactions with mother. 1.  The image of the caretaker might be something like,  if cared for, then  a "good" mother.  2.  The image of a "bad" mother resulting from the mother's tension  or preoccupation during feeding . Later, additional images can be formed - a seductive mother ; an overprotective mother ;  a helicopter mother ;  a spoiled child mother etc. These memories can be repressed ,denied , modified or rationalized over time..

A second example taking place in the primitive mind pertains to associative learning as illustrated by Franz Kafka in one of his short stories. “ A dog who lived in a kennel, surrounded by a high fence, was urinating one day when a bone was thrown over the fence.  The dog thought, "My urinating made that bone appear."  Thereafter, whenever he wanted something to eat.  He lifted his leg. “  A human  example would be crying and then receiving the nipple . To receive a nipple, a crying  response is learned.

 Returning to the nursing situation ,in the sensorimotor stage of cognitive development, in which a hungry, tense baby is  seeking  to satisfy hunger, security  and relief from a tense ,harassed ,tired  immature  mother .The  baby’s goal is to reduce hunger which is pleasure.  Within this frequent situation, the infant "learns,"  remembers and develops expectancies . Is the nipple  "Good" because satisfaction is coming; good, but "unsatisfactory" because the baby is  not hungry; " wrong"  because the nipple doesn't give milk;  or "bad" nipple because the mother is anxious, not available, hurried inconsistent or  preoccupied.  Henry Harlow's research demonstrated the emotional benefits for a held baby , during feeding, with tactile warmth versus  without . In contrast to the emotional deficits in having a bottle propped for the baby to function on its own.

During the sensorimotor, preoperational , and concrete stages of cognitive development, the baby learns, within its dyadic interactions.  Mother can be good or bad ; father can be good or bad  as can siblings and others . Further, the  perception , the memories, the  primitive learning  ( lack of knowledge, vocabulary, information and inability to abstract )  personal  images - the personifications of  things , ideas , persons or groups are formed ,although limited and affect reality . Moreover, with primitive cognitive development, associations , oversimplifications , images, biases ,fear based prejudices and paranoid  ideas are formed in the  mind within  cognitive  stages  of  development . 

 These representations become ground-floor or  a foundation for biases, prejudices or inflated goodness that interfere  with developing a sense of empathy .Furthermore, The Golden Rule suggests we treat others the way we want to be treated.  However, if primitive  thinking and irrational behavior is the norm, we don't want to be influenced by them in the same way.  With empathy, we can love another and recognize our neighbors as separate human beings.  Without empathy, human relations suffer. In other words ,during cognitive development, we create images of good, bad, ugly , With the capacity for  abstract , objective , scientific,  logical, moral , and ethical thinking, beliefs  can be  changed and modified . If not, one can be fixated at primitive levels and accompanied with cognitive dissonance ( taking in information based on  the preexisting) behavior. Primitive thinking distortions  interfere with evaluating objectivity, truth , reality and with meaningful unions.

During my cognitive development, my personification included  Gov. G.Mennen Williams ,called “ Soapy “(  Colgate- Palmolive  family) . My dad's friend Harry Sears said the governor was "clean."  Unions were personified, along with fighting discrimination and  prejudice because my father was president of the union and all colors of people visited our home   Later on, I visited  the Teamsters union hall  on Jefferson Ave. with Jimmy Hoffa.  Outside in the parking lot, during winter, were men wearing long overcoats adjacent to parked black cadillac’s . Labor Day in Detroit was a big deal and another of my personifications as was the  Jefferson -Jackson  Dinner . I also have a picture of Dad  with the Governor signing  protective legislation for postal workers  from dog bites. Years later, when my father retired , I heard many  testimonials and accomplishments attributed to him based on his leadership at those special and memorable  retirement dinners.  That reinforced my understanding of the benefits of union leadership .

Empathy, humanism, fair play,  truth, also became personified  based on identifications . My father’s mission of assisting others irrespective of religious belief ,skin color , righting a wrong , fighting discrimination and prejudice was a common reality.  His cognitive, emotional and compassionate empathy was expressed daily. Note, my brother and sister also learned and practiced empathy in their careers .  

Proceeding from cognitive development, we turn  attention to  the negative consequences of tension. Tension can be positive or pleasurable as with infatuation or can be negative as with pain and discomfort .  Research has documented that excessive negative  stress creates a  wide range of ailments. They range from mental frustration, anxiety, depression, headaches, allergies, ulcers, to heart disease.  In the long run ,excessive stress  shrinks brain size  , wears down the immune system and leads to cancer and other diseases. Negative stress increases the body's production of free radicals and is associated with the  stimulation of the adrenal glands that produces the stress hormones cortisol , epinephrine  and norepinephrine  which then burn energy at a high rate. Free radicals become the polluting byproduct . This occurrence sets off a chain reaction resulting in still more free radicals .  Free radicals are associated with hypertension, ulcers, myocardial infarction, diabetes,  infections, arthritis, cerebrovascular accidents, psychosis, cirrhosis, along with Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.  Also, high levels of cortisone diminish muscle growth and are associated  with acne, alcoholism and obesity. Note, that not all levels of stress are the same.  Death of a spouse is much more significant than a weight gain of 10 pounds.  However, it's the  constant bombardment of fear ( which we are not equipped to withstand) that's perpetuated within our society by our current  political state .

Fear remains a constant  “brainwashing”  device politically.  Locally, we elect representatives to city , county , state and federal offices.  With gerrymandering, a political party can ensure its stronghold on  areas ensuring its power and control.  Thus , we have the likelihood of minority rule with doctored boundaries.  North Dakota has two senators as does California  which is another example of an uneven playing field .  Five members of the Supreme Court determined abortion to be a crime, another example of minority power. More  threats to well-being include the potential government default regarding the debt;  the burning of books, eliminating teaching of CRT, discriminating against LGBT and  others.  Do not forget the war in Ukraine,  ”rioting “ in the street because of the Trump indictment, murder of children in the schools, rising mortgage rates, inflation,  discriminating against the right to vote by Blacks and college students, income inequality and so many other fear based threats. And, the purpose of the Texas Senate passing a bill requiring the irrelevant 10 Commandments to be prominently displayed in every single classroom ? 

Believing a pathological liar and incorporating “ fair and balanced “ lies from Fox news pertains to the 10 Commandments . Unfortunately, the identity of many of these folks is related to being manipulated by the big lie. The Fox news payout  exposes their fear of being wrong and  becomes dangerous because they have to maintain that  Illusion. .In other words, the  reality of truth is a threat,  because they have nothing to gain by it and will simply make them sick .The cliche “ the truth hurts “ fits. 

In conclusion, the employment  of  political fear-based tactics is not new but continues today and significant in perpetuating illusions regarding security , freedom and justice.  Our current state of knowledge depicts Homo sapiens as anxious, insecure , requiring dependence while seeking security, comfort,pleasure ,happiness or power, possession  and status within human dynamisms.  Research has well documented the implications and negative ramifications of the dangers associated with fear, anxiety, stress, and tension.  With that being said, it's not surprising that our country again is at a critical crossroads with its inordinate amounts of physical and mental sickness . At the present, our governmental process  is based on a  plutocracy rather than a democracy because  of the wealthy super PACs dictating policy. Their goal is egoism and greed ,not empathy or humanism. Take it from Machiavelli, fear works politically,  in  large part ,based upon education and religion. 

Reference

Klatz, Ronald and Goldman, Robert.  Stopping the Clock.

Sullivan, H.  S.  Conceptions of Modern Psychiatry.

Healthy Aging Obstacles

 

Does the cliché "ignorance is bliss" fit our Stone Age ancestors as they ate nutritiously;  were physically fit; met their sexual  affiliative and procreation  passions; and did not experience acute stress?  Their genes, and human functioning - thinking, perceiving, emoting and movement  worked well for them . Then  ,about 12,000 years ago, human psychology evolved with the agricultural revolution,  industrialization, technology, information, science, religion, economics ,laws, politics , medicine etc. However, with  the development of civilization  and with  essentially similar body and brain structure ,  man created  additional  conflicts, frustrations, contradictions and discord affecting  health  This essay addresses  complexities affecting healthy aging.

The human genetic code was designed to protect the survival of our species . Genes that once saved  lives during the Stone Age have  now become major threats to  wellbeing .  For example, threats of starvation ,dying of thirst, and animal predators are not feared, except under  conditions  of  war, famine , poverty and outdoor adventures .  Unfortunately, our genetic code has not  evolved  and adapted to the rapidly changing cultural  and environmental changes that took place in our civilization .  It’s true that modern medicine , plumbing , sanitation and vaccines have almost  eliminated  many diseases. However, there’s  a mismatch between the  style of living of Stone Age folks and us . Genes that once saved lives and  our species in the  Stone Age have now become threats to us because of our psychology . 

Every day we lose great numbers of cells from every tissue and organ system in our bodies . With aging , the process goes from gradual maturation - childhood into adulthood and then a decline in midlife and advanced age. Cells  overcome by physical or chemical trauma  are called necrosis . Apoptosis is when a cell ceases to function, resulting in its death . Necrosis and apoptosis are normal and inherent in our  genetic design. 

The following are five primary causes of aging : 1.Glycation is  progressive damage to the body caused by high blood sugar.  It  occurs when extra glucose molecules become attached to proteins causing structural damage to the proteins that interfere with their function. Having well-regulated blood sugar levels is one way of minimizing glycation. A sugary diet leads to insulin resistance and diabetes.

 2. Inflammation is a result of excessive quantities of hormone-like substances (eicosanoids )and by immune system chemicals  (cytokines).  Both increase with age and are necessary for normal body functioning in the proper proportions.  Inflammation is the underlying cause of a number of diseases . Mark Hyman's food as medicine addresses this issue in detail.  

3.  Oxidation is when oxygen cells  combine with  glucose and a  fat process  takes place in the mitochondria and produces ATP , the energy that drives over 90% of all the body's cellular reactions . With unstable oxygen atoms, oxidation  occurs and is known as free radicals.  The production of free radicals is  a continuously escalating process that leads to aging and ultimately to death. Free radicals play a role in development of many chronic degenerative diseases as they damage DNA.  Oxidative stress  reduces the production effectiveness of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for memory and cognition.

 4. Methylation is a process whereby some genes are activated and others are turned off during lifetime.  Turning off the genes is believed to be one of the major factors that cause aging and death . Controlling methylation is beginning to be recognized as an important part of managing the aging process.  One factor known to optimize its processes is by  decreasing the production of the adrenal stress hormone cortisol. Stress reduction controls methylation  and contributes to longer lifespans .

 5.  Telomere reduction is repeating sequences of DNA at the end of chromosomes, regulated in a fixed manner. With cell division, the shortening results in less efficient cell division.  When reaching  a specific  length, the chromosome  is unable to divide- causing cell aging and death .Slowing  down  the telomere shortening process is one key to aging.  Examples include exercising, eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies, keeping  normal weight and controlling  inflammation.

Returning to our Stone Age ancestors, the following  changes have affected our well-being: 1.  Genetically, our bodies  were designed to protect  the Stone Age threat of starvation.  During the Stone Age, the daily hunting- gathering lifestyle resulted in feast and famine.  In fact , bodies were designed to go three or four weeks without food. The fat cells , adipocytes,  engineered genetically, helped  survival.  They stored triglycerides as energy .  Those who consumed the most food , stored the most  fat and were protected against starvation .

 Our brains experience  sweet , fat and salt.  However, sweet and fat are very high in calories and salt  assists with  water  to maintain critical metabolic balances.  Today:  the excessive consumption of  sugar, fat filled foods, now causes obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

2.  Our Stone Age ancestors ,with genetically designed bodies, were physically active .  Our ancestors walked 6 to 22 miles per day in search of food, water, shelter, and companionship.  Then came the agricultural revolution, the Industrial Revolution ,technology and information age that resulted in the development of  different character structures.  Today, only one in five Americans exercise regularly.  Energy expenditure , in the form of exercise, coupled with a high calorie diet is the main reason why 2/3 of Americans are either overweight or obese.  Our capitalistic economic system allows us to purchase  exercise equipment, fitness membership, athletic competitions, and many recreational activities, such as walking, biking, swimming, and so forth. Moreover, one is not likely to get an overuse injury by walking.  Walking is easier than running, swimming, biking, pickle ball etc. Become a Stone Ager  and walk  6 to 22 miles a day.

3.  When engaging in strenuous activity , humans can exist for about 3 to 4 days without water. Our bodies are genetically constructed to utilize sodium and hormones to hold onto water .High levels of sodium consumption ,stress and plentiful water becomes a genetic recipe for hypertension  which is associated with cardiovascular disease, heart disease and stroke.

4.  Cuts, lacerations and bites are common in the hunter gatherer cultures.  Those who had excellent blood clotting with high levels of clotting factors like fibrinogen and thromboxane were able to clot blood in wounds, prevent infections and avoid bleeding to death. The threat of blood clotting helped humans survive in the world  millions of years ago.  However, this single event  kills  the greatest number of Americans if a clot forms in one of the coronary or cerebral arteries. 

5.  Genetically, our brains are  designed to go into a fight or flight stress response. But ,with civilization , has resulted in chronic stress. Unfortunately, our  brains have not evolved nor are designed to deal with chronic stress. Stone Age cousins did not have to deal with  minute by minute stress from cell phones , driving freeways, meeting deadlines, listening to "news" ,inflation, recession, income inequality, political irrationality, health, death, etc.  Chronic stress  leads to disabling mental and physical processes or illnesses that shorten life expectancy. It’s the  continued bombardment of the brain and  the activation of stress  cortisol hormones that leads to brain shrinkage. Chronic stress results in significant emotional problems such as anxiety disorders, anger, insomnia, depression and  risk factors like hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer's .

As a youngster, aunt Eva said something to the effect that "if you don't have your health, you're poor “  and  Gandhi “ It  is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. “They are so very wise . Having optimum health reflects  attitude, needs, perseverance, and athletic activities associated with well-being.  An attitude is based on thinking, emoting  , perceiving and acting while expecting a favorable outcome and necessary for  a sense of identity within a particular lifestyle . How can individuals living in this informational and technological  culture,  not know prudent activities regarding health ?  Are they ignoramus’ ? How does it happen that so many are physically and psychologically  sick ?  Do they not care  and ignore the outcome  ?  If one has a cavalier response , that suggests the predominance of the abasement need.  For a cognitive treat, to compare lifestyle  choices , answer  a questionnaire related to  longevity, visit the website www. Livingto100.com.  At that website, a  detailed questionnaire based on current longevity research  provides  a  lifespan prediction .  Then follow your self-talk for insight into your thinking and behavior .  According to Fred Rogers.  "Discovering the truth about ourselves. is a lifetime's work, but it's worth the effort.

  Reference

Successful Aging in Men and Women . Institute  for Natural Resources.

Confronting Fiction

 This essay applies  Fictional Finalism  to life span.  Alfred Adler MD  trained as an ophthalmologist and then became a significant member of Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalytic Society. Later, Adler resigned as president and formulated his own  personality theory.  He viewed the child as small, weak and helpless with feelings of inferiority and  being totally dependent on others.  This created an unique compensatory drive - a striving for superiority, perfection  or self actualization. On the other hand, Freud , acknowledged irrationality but postulated pleasure  as being the significant driving force. Within Adler’s model, and our focus, Fictional Finalism is  just one of Adler’s brilliant  common sense concepts.

Fictional Finalism is the idea  that man follows fictional ideas , myths , cliches , rationalizations and illusions. It’s been stated that pursuing illusions makes life bearable. The fiction , with emotion, becomes an attitude with a  motivational striving  towards persons, places, and things  . It’s an opinion, belief, interest, or purpose involving an expectancy for a certain kind of  future experience with readiness for an appropriate response.  In other words, when activated, the irrationality of man’s  attitude results in a  self defeating motivating force .  A couple of examples of Fictional Finalism  include: 1.  The Civil War was based on "Don't Tread on Me."  2.  The Vietnam War was based on the "Domino Theory."  3.  The Iraq war was based on "Weapons Of Mass Destruction."  We are the weapons of mass destruction.  4.  The 2020 election was fraudulent.  5.  Trump can't be indicted because he's a former president .  Yes, he can in order to make America great !

One of America's most notable poets Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Sports is the bloom and glow of perfect health."  That's an example of  Fictional Finalism.  Yes, exercise, activity, play, humor, fun, amusing oneself are all related to health.  Do they tell the whole story?  Two examples follow: 1.  I last saw my former teammate and NFL superstar about  10 years ago.  Ed Budde , once a physical giant, played 14 years with the Kansas City Chiefs.  He said he had lost about 2 inches in height, and has difficulty walking.  Luckily for me, because I danced with Carolyn while he looked on.  2.  My lovely wife Linda was an equestrian, river rafting guide ,golfer , swimmer , pickle ball  with low cholesterol.  She had a five way heart bypass.  Then, suffered an equestrian injury resulting in shoulder replacement, two punctured lungs,  and  CTE . Note, there is current legislation proceeding in California that would ban tackle football for those 12 and under because of primary CTE consequences.

Successful aging in men and women is  complex .  Yet, there are all types of exercise equipment like treadmills, elipticals, Pelotons , machines, free weights, bands, gym memberships, athletic  competitions etc.  We are told to exercise for a certain length of time, and walk so many steps .  Don't sit too long, ride a bike, swim, kayak, work in the garden, go dancing, etc. Physical activity alone does not result in longevity.  Advertising with Fictional Finalism  messaging is good for capitalism and the myth of exercise but  is irrational and misleading.

Everyone has heard about Weight Watchers, Nutri system, Mediterranean Diet , Mark Hyman's Food As Medicine and numerous supplements like Herbalife Quickstart, Zero  Belly Smoothies, 7-Day Apple Cider, GOLO for, Life, weight loss classes, etc.  As far as diets, there's nothing wrong with diets.  The problem is people are unable to stick to a diet .  Three quarters of our population are either overweight or obese.

Life expectancy is related to activity , choices including diet.  A few factors that are associated with health include the following: 1.  Majority of money spent on healthcare in the United States is spent on preventable diseases.  2.  How long American life is mostly dependent on socioeconomic , regional lifestyle choices made in midlife alcohol use, tobacco smoking, being overweight or obese and having elevated blood pressure.  3.  Low economic rural whites with no  health insurance and  no access to healthcare had longer life expectancies  in Minnesota than those who were low income rural whites lacking in health insurance living in Appalachia and the Mississippi Valley.  They had higher alcohol use, tobacco smoking, greater obesity and higher blood pressure.  4.  Tobacco smoking and high blood pressure are the largest contributors to death in the United States and responsible for one in five deaths.  Being overweight ,obese and lack of physical activity each cause nearly 1 in 10  deaths 4.  Preventable lifestyle choices and conditions influence the risk of developing life-threatening chronic diseases .The major causes of early death are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disease and cancer.  6. Covid -19  misinformation and poor choices  resulted in a dramatic blow to life expectancy in the United States.

The following is no guarantee of happiness nor Fictional Finalism but is associated with being  a  centenarian.  Michael Howard evaluated 16 healthy habits and lifestyle choices for those reaching 100. His 16   does not mean that there are no  other variables associated with living to 100.  His following 16 :1.  Blood pressure less than 100 mg/Dl .  Fasting . 2.  Blood pressure range 115/75 mg/  Hg.  3.  Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/ dl .4.  Keep BMI from 18.5 to 25 . 5. Eat fewer calories 6. Mostly vegetarian diet with coffee and tea .7.  Take your vitamins . 8.  Exercise regularly, be active and stay busy after retirement. 9.  Don't smoke or stop smoking If you do 10, Drink less alcohol.  11.  Get regular and restful sleep.  12.  Healthy gums .13.  Challenge your mind.  14.  Stay positive in attitude and avoid anxiety and depression.  15. Shed stressors ,have daily structure and be resilient. It’s not stress that kills us, it’s our reaction to it. Hans Selye, endocrinologist   16 . Stay socially connected with serenity and purpose to life.

Human beings have four basic processes, all of which are indispensable for functioning and which are interconnected: 1.  Perception or senses-see , taste,  smell , feel and hear .  2.  Sensorimotor movement-walks ,eats, swims, throws climbs, etc. 3.  Emotes, feels-loves, hates, fears, becomes guilty,  depressed  .  4.  Rational or irrational, thinks, remembers, imagines, hypothesizes, concludes, solves  problems.

With that being said, Japan has a life expectancy of 84.6; Singapore 83.7; South Korea 83.4; Norway 83.2.... US 76.4.   Some, Fictional Finalism comments might be about  genes or heredity being the main cause .  Studies, including twin studies, found that heredity and genes account for 25 to 35% of one's health.  It's clear that individuals in the above countries are employing four basic  human processes (Perceiving, emoting, sensorimotor, and thinking-rational )  in more healthy ways than in our country.  Some Fictional Finalism folks might say we are happier than those living in other countries. Statistically, the happiness rankings : Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands........ and in 14th place,  the United States.  Some Fictional Finalism folks might say we have the best healthcare system.  Statistically, Japan is number one for least healthcare costs but is also number one for lifespan length . We  pay more  for healthcare  and trail lifespan in Japan.

 A few more statistics regarding mortality rates in the United States: 1.  People in Republican counties have higher death rates than people in Democratic counties.  2.  People live longer in blue states than red states  3.  People die younger in states run by conservatives.  Give thanks to Republicans- Covid -19 , not wearing a mask and  not getting vaccinated; Republicans say “no “ to gun reform; “no” to democracy ; yes , to income inequality; yes, to banning reading materials; and yes to racism ,discrimination and  following fiction  .

In conclusion,  is anyone thinking about the future and being dependent on someone else?  Italy, found itself short of individuals that could care for others.  Children have moved away and  home care workers are limited causing concern for many in the industry.  An article titled "Who Will Take Care Of Italy's Older People ?  Maybe Robots " in the March 26, 2023 edition of The New York Times suggested that robots is the answer.  It was stated that "Robot  wasn't a replacement for socializing with other people.  It can nevertheless be company,  What doubletalk.

PS

1.  “2-Minute Exercise Bursts Can  Have Big Benefits “found in the December 11, 2022 edition of the New York Times.          

2. Advertisement “We're Changing How The  World Thinks About Weight   Loss. Lose Weight  for Good  Sign up for a 14 day  free trial.

3. Confront fiction for a prediction  of how many more years left,  by taking the questionnaire derived from longevity research at www.livingto100.com.

Reference ,Successful Aging in Men & Women.  Institute for Natural  Resources.

Self-esteem, Fiction and Trump

 

Today's disquisition relates to Trump,  self-esteem and fiction .  Self-esteem , not the ego, was formulated by notables such as William James ,G.H. Mead,  Alfred Adler, Karen Horney, Harry Stack Sullivan, Erich Fromm,  Carl Rogers ,Morris Rosenberg , Stanley Coopersmith and others.  Our definition of self-esteem takes into account goal successes, values, ideals, expectancies or aspirations and defense mechanisms.

Self-esteem  relates to an enduring attitude, belief or personal evaluation that's associated with emotional states towards oneself.  Self-esteem is  also associated with satisfaction and effective functioning.  Research has suggested that individuals with low self-esteem have doubts of worthiness , can neither give nor receive love and have difficulty maintaining close emotional unions.  They do not trust their ability to get close because it would  reveal their inadequacies , thereby exposing their unworthiness. They are unable to deal with their inadequacies because they  expect  dreaded failure.

Threats to self-esteem results in fear or anxiety which leads to aggression and hostility. Also, one's perception of self may be counter to society's definition of success and worthiness.  Because of that fact, often an individual is not aware because of that dissonance between their self-esteem evaluation and  society’s. Because one cannot always count on the accuracy of one's reported self evaluation, verbal expressions- what they say, how they say it; their posture, facial and body gestures tells their story.  It is believed that people with high self-esteem are happier and more efficient in meeting their environmental and social demands . While those of low self esteem , with conflicts, are troubled by more consistent feelings of distress, which speaks to weakness and feelings of inferiority. They  falsely present confidence and self-assuredness to the public, which is essentially a façade , persona or social mask.

Some suggest that high self-esteem is associated with self-respect, superiority, pride, self-acceptance, dominance, assertiveness, possession , status and narcissism while others state that high self-esteem is associated with being capable, significant, successful . worthy , adherence to socially accepted values and ideals. 

Achievement or success can be measured against one social group or others important to the individual.  However, a continuous guarding against loss of self-esteem results with anxiety. Thus, one has to develop strategies to counter the  potential loss of self-esteem.  Conditions that produce anxiety relate to lack of domination ,indifference of others, loss of respect, disparagement, lack of admiration, lack of warmth and discrimination by others-the enemy.  Coping with anxiety , one can create or inflate an idealized image of one's capacities and goals. It’s an attempt to bolster self-esteem. Weakness is inferiority  ,and to be avoided at all costs . Inferiority  can be  physical, intellectual or emotional .  To compensate, one can pursue  athletics, learning or therapy .

Success is also the ability to influence others by controlling self and behavior of others ;  economic success in the areas of competency related to high levels of mastery of performance , the areas of virtue - adherence to moral, ethical and religious values.  

Self-esteem is related  to the amount of respectful, accepting and concerned treatment that's received from significant others along with the history of integrated successes.  Social approval is living up to the aspirations of significant others along with their values. Self evaluation can result in an attitude of failure.  However, self-esteem  can be maintained , with defenses, by distorting the catastrophes so they do not diminish  a sense of worthiness or power .

Defenses and means of warding off anxiety are an interpretation to perceive that the event leads the individual to rally against feelings of incompetence, powerlessness ,status  and so forth.  High self-esteem individuals have confidence in their own judgments, feel capable of increasing the likelihood that they will be successful in dealing with adversity.

A few words about Trump and self-esteem . Like all Homo sapiens, Donald began life helpless.  He was the apple of his father's eye, a prized possession for Fred.  Fred’s character valued power, status and possession.  Being Fred’s favorite, Donald was spoiled , pampered and enabled unconditionally. As a spoiled child, Donald did not develop appropriate ego boundaries, a well functioning conscience nor  experience serious consequences for his aberrant behavior which was ignored and/or reinforced.  These parental practices resulted in psychic consequences and influenced various character tendencies.  First, baby Donald formed an expectation early in life that he will always be taking care of despite circumstances and his whim is the law.  Second, baby Donald didn't have to contribute to the social welfare of others and to the society at large.  Not paying taxes, imitating Jesse James , exploiting others and using others like Roy Cohn types to manipulate legal proceedings so as not to be held accountable.  Third, baby Donald developed a grandiose view of  being all-powerful with unlimited authority-omnipotent.   This inflated view  resulted in a non rational manner that he is a genius .  Fourth, baby Donald did not learn appropriate ways to adjust to problems confronted. Unconsciously he was defending against helplessness, humiliation and destitution.  These  insecurities resulted in hostility with his characterological  tendency to dominate, humiliate, and to deprive others.

 Donald’s successes and failures are based on  psychological dynamics  reflected in his attitude ,values  and behavior toward others and society. He attempted to compensate for his physical ineptitude. He was not athletic nor  excelled at sports. To compensate, he attempted to buy an NFL franchise but was rejected. He  then purchased the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.Subsequently , organized  and started a lawsuit against the NFL for antitrust statutes.  The USFL won the lawsuit, the jury awarded the USFL just three dollars.   Was  that a success  ?  He plays golf but cheats at that game too. Academically, it's been reported that  school and college  tests and papers were written by someone else. 

Donald started  with millions from inheritance, went bankrupt numerous times and inflates his assets when seeking a loan and deflates them when paying taxes.  As far as prestige and power, he achieved the most powerful position in the world as a result of the nondemocratic electoral college.  He didn't believe that he was going to win and thus defensively talked about the election being false ahead of time.  As president, he had the power, possessions and prestige which are unparalleled to none.  However, he was impeached twice, lost the popular vote twice and the first president to be indicted.  Historically, he should've been the second.  Nixon had that honor but was bailed out by Jerry Ford with the pardon. 

In the 2016 election Donald didn't expect to beat Hillary. He squelched his Stormy Daniels affair. He then projected ,  "Lock her up," and declared the election was going to be fraudulent. 

 However, 2019 - 2020, he knew he was in trouble of losing his status and power . Again, talked about the fraudulent election-the Big Lie.  He reinforced the Big Lie  in his failed  court actions ; he supported  fake electors, called Georgia Secretary of State seeking more votes, pressured Mike Pence into manipulating the electoral college votes and had his cronies attack the capital on January 6.   All these actions were based on the irrationality , illusion and fiction created  between his ears by this genius . Irrespective of immorality or legality of actions, this behavior was predicated on the  fictional idea that these behaviors  were how he would retain the presidency. 

Donald has worn a Teflon protection device  for all of his life.  Now , for the first time, he's been indicted.  His future?  Despite current reality, Donald would likely say he has a positive image of himself.  Yet, if he  looked into the mirror, he would see  a tense , hostile, unhappy and obese human. One of his major life goals ,with excessive strategies, is to defeat and conquer the legal justice system. He said his arrest was imminent , and called  for protests along with the picture of him holding a baseball bat as if to attack  Bragg.. He referred to  Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney as  a Soros backed animal.   Donald's attitude  toward the criminal justice system reflects his  destructive mockery of the  irrationality and fiction  of the slogan "Justice Is Blind"  and his fictional belief when he stated, during his first campaign ,that he could shoot someone in NY and not get arrested.  Furthermore, his disdain for the social interest of the society, with his neurotic ,malignant   narcissism of  his self-centeredness, makes him a dangerous  and catastrophic threat to our Republic.”What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on” per Henry David Thoreau

References

Adler, A.  Individual Psychology.

Coopersmith, S.  The Antecedents of Self-esteem.