Escaping Isolation

Man enters our Milky Way galaxy alone, small, insignificant with unmet physiological requirements, anxiety or tension levels and unable to survive on his own. This essay pertains to the difficulty of being alone and man’s attempts to escape his isolation. Because of man’s design, such factors  as primary drives, needs, activation levels, reinforcement patterns, expectations and of course anxiety are  a few key components in understanding man’s psychology.

We begin life alone, dependent, helpless and with anxiety and/or tension activation levels. If not for another, we are unable to survive. Our basic physiological drives for food and water are examples. We are unable to meet those requirements, without a caretaker. Beginning in this fragile state, the infant, at first, is not able to associate or discriminate exactly how the anxiety or tension levels are reduced. But with development, he begins to form a cognitive schematic, and begins to associate and develop expectations for a reduction or increase in activation levels of comfort or discomfort. The infant clearly learns  that being alone is associated with anxiety, tension {non pleasure} and non-survival; and being with another can be associated with less anxiety, tension {pleasure} and survival. Erickson refers to the stage as developing a sense of trust versus a sense of mistrust. Consistency and regularity with feeding, diapering, touching, talking to, affectionate responses etc. are important characteristics for the caretaker. Caretaker responses can also be irregular, punishing, rejecting, disparaging attitudes, non-kept promises, inconsistent, rough, loud, withholding, overprotective etc. So, what we have here is conflictual since the baby does not nor ever have the full attention or optimum care provided by the caretaker. As a result, of the many positive and negative reinforcement schedules, a cognitive expectancy or pattern of likely expectations or outcomes becomes developed and engrained in the psyche of the youngster. In other words, he experience positives and negatives within interpersonal interactions. Regardless, all humans develop and require needs - strategies to escape the anxiety produced feelings of isolation, helplessness and rejection.

As a result of man’s isolation vulnerability and anxious state, one manner of escape becomes the need for affiliation. Affiliation, becomes, for the infant a major building block for one’s survival. According to Murray, the need for affiliation is related to enjoyably cooperate or reciprocate with an allied other; please and win affection of another; and to remain loyal to a friend. With separation from the other, the results include the activation of anxiety and tension levels. Of course other psychological needs, and strategy behaviors or defenses are established to combat the requirement for survival too.

Within this context, if the interpersonal interactions become dysfunctional, the individual learns to withdraw, isolate and be unavailable with others resulting in a neurotic adjustment to life; or he learns to be aggressive, sadomasochistic, dominant, exploitative, passive and narcissistic in his establishment for power and prestige with others along with control and possessiveness in his interpersonal interactions. On the other hand, if the interpersonal interactions tend to become pleasurable with anxiety or tension reduction activation levels, the individual learns to experience affection, caring, respect, admiration, nurturance, and support in its interactions with another. Of course, there’s various depth and degrees of expression of these three general behavioral orientations. Obviously there’s no pure form or expression of these three orientations. However, it appears that the orientation to inflict pain on others predominates man’s behavior as evidenced by wars, murder rates, incarceration statistics, criminal justice violations, divorce and social media dialogue. The loving and withdrawing orientations behavior follow in frequency and kind.  Also entering the equation is the positive and/or negative reinforcement behavior of the caretaker or caretakers as well as the many interpersonal life positive and/or negative reinforcement experiences or history that follows. Regardless of one’s experience of negative outcomes, there’s still a push toward another encounter with another with the hope and illusion and expectation for a different outcome. Ones thinking process and behavior can also be considered an escape from loneliness or potential loneliness.

 Denying or distorting, the reality of insignificance, powerlessness, and loneliness prevails. It should be apparent that each individual brings to every interaction or union, an unconscious fear, anxiety or tension of being alone and the imperative need for attachment with another in the quest for survival as evidenced man’s active and/or passive behavior. That unconscious quest for survival is built-in based on our design by the underlying anxiety or tension component that has been exacerbated by the need structure of the individual. Another escape myth is that only “love” or “sex” or attachment to another can resolve this unconscious dilemma or fear. Other escape illusions, compensations and strategies to combat isolation include marriage, children, God, religion, politics, pets and other identifications. Additional escapisms to combat isolation include but not limited to are seeking drugs, using alcohol and food to reduce the anxiety activation levels. In essence, the solitude of life, or man’s nature, is an irreducible dimension of human life regardless of the many defenses, illusions and behaviors employed.

PS

A few other psychological needs generated by anxiety, insecurity and helplessness include but are not limited to  sex, abasement, personal achievement, nurturance, prestige, admiration etc. These additional need factors paint a more complete picture of the nature of Homo sapiens.

Being Healthy

Recently, Paul and I got into a discussion regarding health. Even though he is overweight, he argued that he was healthy based on  recent test results, low blood pressure and conversations with his doctor. I argued that being overweight was associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, senility, depression etc. With this in mind, an October 27, 2019 article in the New York Times “Obesity is a population-size crisis in Western countries-but it’s a problem that may resist population-wide solution “was pertinent to our discussion. This essay focuses on the variables associated with being healthy.

The New York Times article pointed out that obesity was like cancer. Obesity is about biology, behavior, society, and culture which makes research difficult. We know that the same diet affects even identical twins differently. Also, it was pointed out that research regarding red meat and processed meats are controversial. One researcher at the National Institute of Health compared ultra-processed food [accounts for roughly 57% of the American diet] with non-processed foods. Results of this particular study suggested that limited consumption of ultra-processed food may be an effective strategy for obesity, prevention and treatment.

However, there were many criticisms of this particular study that included: it was too short to observe the metabolic and behavioral changes; it was done in a lab compared to field research; and it did not take to account for many other variables like lifestyle. In essence, to do a proper study which takes into account controlling the many variables and using a universal or random population is expensive and not likely to happen unless government funds the research.

I suggest incorporating additional relevant variables and taking a more encompassing and healthy approach than limited to diet alone. Yes, diet is extremely important. However, let’s take a glimpse at how Centenarians approach life. Reaching 100 is a clear cut definition of health. We already know that this group has been studied by a number of researchers. In fact Howard’s book “How to Live to 100 Years Old: 16 Lifestyle Characteristics of the Oldest and Healthiest People in the World” provided one model for evaluating important variables related to longevity. His findings: 1. Have low blood sugar 2. Have low blood pressure 3. Have low blood total cholesterol 4. Keep weight low and steady [BMI from 18.5 to 25] 5. Eat fewer calories 6. Eat mostly vegetarian 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 restful sleep 12. Have healthy gums 13. Challenge your mind, stay positive in attitude and avoid anxiety and depression 15 Shed those stressors, have daily structure and be resilient 16. Stay socially connected with serenity and a purpose to life.

Let’s face it, all research studies are flawed. They are compromised because no study employed a representative sample of the population. Each study has findings which can be generalized to represent only the particular sample utilized. It’s just too expensive, to select a random sample. We also know, that obesity is related to diet and the likelihood that processed meats are not healthy is just one aspect of being overweight. With that being said, Howard’s research on Centenarians is subject to the same criticism of randomness. However, his research incorporated many parameters of these Centenarians. In his study, healthiness was defined as  being  physically healthy; emotionally healthy; employing healthy habits with discipline and stick- to- it- ness; and surrounding oneself in a healthy community. In essence, the 16 characteristics of the Centenarians seemed reasonable. Even if one employed the 16 characteristics, there is no guarantee of reaching 100 years.

It’s obvious that superlative health can be achieved by some. It’s also obvious, that going on that “magic” diet alone does not solve the present obesity crisis affecting about 40% of the adults and about 19% of the children and adolescents in the United States. Healthiness is based on many factors including what we eat. Reaching 100 is a realistic and measurable definition for being healthy.  My ride and  tie, endurance and running friend Paul has made a good start, has lost weight, but, according to Howard’s research, has more choices to make regarding his health.

Hate Speech

The October 6, 2019 article “Free Speech Is Killing Us” found in the New York Times was certainly relevant. This article addressed noxious speech found on social media and the ineffective stance taken by the media giants and the politicians regarding limits. Numerous examples of physical violence and murder were given that recently took place in our country as well as the 1993 -1994 genocide in Rwanda were cited. Should our government and social media platforms be held accountable for allowing the spreading of false, hateful and noxious speech?

Some might say that free speech is protected by our First Amendment. Others might say that the First Amendment does not apply to private companies; and the Constitution does not guarantee it to them. Others might say that not all free speech is protected such as 1. Libel 2. Incitement to violence and 3. Child pornography. Further, what about noxious speech that drives a woman out of her workplace; rhetoric that correlates with hate crimes; speech that bullies a teenager into committing suicide; or words that influences democracy in the direction of totalitarianism?

Others point to the 14^th amendment which guarantees full citizenship and equal protection to all Americans including those who are harmed by hate speech? Do you protect just the hater or the distributor of noxious incitement and not protect the victim or victims of such derogatory behavior? The Christchurch gunmen for example wrote a number of negative posts and indicated on one “that it was now time to make a real-life effort post.” He murdered 52 people.

Make no but doubt about it, hate and noxious speech can be defined. Alex Jones and Milo Yiannopoulos have been barred from all major social media platforms. There are plenty of inappropriate hateful online posts that come from a variety of sites in and out of our country. The government’s responsibility is to protect its people. Protect the people now. Do your job.

There are many variables that result in causing one individual to hurt another. Let’s not use a parataxic mode of thinking and believing the power of one post and its resultant causing someone to kill another. However, it’s true that “sticks and stones can break one’s bones.” However it’s not true “that names will never hurt me.” It’s also true that “hate can evoke feelings of animosity, anger or resentment which can be directed against certain individuals groups or entities.” Hate also is associated with violent antipathy. The unpleasant emotion and behavior of hate (revenge}, and if it’s a character trait, is a real threat to our political process, our Republic, and to our well-being. There’s too much sadomasochistic behavior {the tendency to derive pleasure, from inflicting pain, suffering or humiliation on others} present on social media from known and unknown sources. Let’s come together to protect the recipients of hateful rhetoric that’s all too common in social media. Protecting recipients from unhealthy words affect well-being. Protection is not only constitutional but it’s also one of the 10 commandments “thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” I thought this country was founded on Judeo-Christian values. Am I naïve?

Effectance Motivation

Originally, Alfred Adler was part of Freud’s inner circle. Dr. Adler broke from Freud and with his theory he placed more emphasis on the ego and the dynamics of social interaction. Dr. Adler, in doing so, developed his own school of individual psychology. Adler wrote about family interactions as well as the development for potentially good behavior like affiliation, nurturance, empathy as well as the potential for bad outcomes like sadomasochism.  This essay incorporated only three of his pertinent motivational concepts- Striving  for Superiority, Style  of Life  and Social Interest while explaining aspects of my behavior.

Striving for Superiority, was viewed by Adler, as either imaginary or real. It emerged in order to compensate for either some bodily weakness or some sense of emotional inferiority or insecurity. He hypothesized that all newborns enter the world tiny, weak, helpless, and dependent on the caretaker for survival. To him this meant that all newborns begin life with a generalized view of inferiority or anxiety. As a result, the innate psychic task was in place to compensate for this weakness. It did so by striving for superiority or mastery in order to overcome this deficit to develop one’s personality in attaining possible completion.

As a young child, I received a medical diagnosis of asthma. This diagnosis explained my difficulty with breathing. I was cautioned not to exert myself physically. I was also not allowed to leave the house when the air quality was bad. This deficit was real. Eventually, I compensated and overcame my breathing difficulty and physical weakness by engaging in PE and in pickup games of basketball, baseball and football during my later elementary and junior high school years. In order to become physically stronger, I lifted free weights. In fact, I became a lot stronger and had my brother and friends hand me the barbell for bench presses. It took a lot of them to pick up and hand me 350 pounds so that I could bench press. I also performed 30 chin-ups within a minute as well as 60 push-ups within a minute.

As an adolescent, I played football for the Denby Tars which was one of the or the dominant high school team in the city of Detroit. I earned honors and was awarded a football scholarship to play for the University of Detroit Titans. I pushed myself physically and athletically to control and dominate those one-on-one battles during practice and in the games. This could be explained as a striving for superiority, excellence and effectance. Of course, expending tremendous amounts of psychic and physical energy, having a myopic purpose, with realistic goal setting were important and necessary at that time.

Years later, in my late 30s, I began running and also became involved in the horse world. In my 50s, I discovered a sport called Ride and Tie. This sport combined having a human and horse partner. In this sport, I met world-class equestrians-winners in Tevis and Polo competitions and world-class runners-winners in Western States 100 and other nationally sanctioned races.  I also wore my Tevis completion buckle. Once again, expending tremendous energy, dealing with overuse injuries, having a singular focus and realistic goal setting were necessary.

Striving for Superiority  became, in  certain respects, my own particular Style  of Life  as I spent a great deal of time and energy physically conditioning that included  running 50 miles a week on average and riding my horses 50 miles a week on average  so that I could compete in the many running events [age division winner in the 100 Western  States ], endurance competitions and ride and tie [coming in first place in the 100  mile Swanton Pacific  Ride and Tie with my partners]. I ran so I could compete in ride and tie. I competed in endurance rides so my horses would be ready for Ride and Tie. Ride and Tie was my passion, my Striving for Superiority, and my favorite sport. In essence, I incorporated ride and tie behaviors which became my Style of Life.

Social Interest for Adler meant focusing on social welfare – doing well and thinking about mankind in socialized ways instead of self-serving or narcissistic interests. It’s not about fame, leadership, power, self-aggrandizement or political ambitions Once again it’s a matter of using a real or imaginary weakness or deficit as a striving compensation for behavior.

 Returning to the past and school years. At one high school reunion, a longtime friend from elementary school and a high school class officer, told me she remembered me as being really smart. My personification during junior high and high school years were sports and girls. They were certainly more important than academics. Not being motivated in high school academically, I developed an ambivalent attitude about school learning. That negative attitude was a psychic weakness and my drive to overcome for compensation.

It wasn’t until my University years that I got turned on and became passionate about the field of psychology. My Striving for Superiority took that direction in my 20s and 30s as I achieved a BS; two MA’s and a PhD. In part for Social Welfare and giving back, I taught kids, adults, and college students in both the public school, community college and at the University. I practiced psychotherapy with kids, adults and families. I performed research on the ego development of pregnant teens and presented my research findings to a National Psychological Association.

While in “formal” retirement, I wrote two books regarding the motivations of college and professional football athletes and older athletes participating in extreme sports and presented my insights to numerous groups. My Social Interest centers on reading, writing and educating on various health topics. Striving for Superiority ,Style of Life and Social Interest are related to both my emotional and physical well-being. Thank you Dr. Adler for enlightening me to your insights regarding a motivational model for man. For depth, consult: Adler, A. Understanding Life: An Introduction to the Psychology of Alfred Adler.

PS

While  beginning  my eighth decade,  I still run 50 K’s and am considering co- producing a full-length film on racism and sports with my good friend. Adler would call this Fictional Finalism. Is this quest, a striving ideal or a fiction?

Man's Emotional State

It is known that factors affecting security, anxiety and life are forces of nature; realities regarding the frailty of the human body; and the irrational aspects of society.  it can be debated whether or not the advancement of society has contributed to reducing or increasing man’s anxiety which this essay addresses. It’s apparent that there have been tremendous intellectual and technical advances made within the last century. However, it can also be argued that man’s emotional development, based on behavior, has remained in the Stone Age.

Man has been somewhat successful in dealing with nature such as “knowing” the path of hurricanes with its algorithms statistics . Also, we now have apps that inform us regarding the location of fire. In fact, if we lose energy or electricity, we can purchase a generator to alleviate the disruption of our routines. We might even be able to   purchase homeowners insurance that covers earthquakes, flood damage, fire etc. We also can go green by purchasing solar, electric cars etc. However, global warming affects us currently; and the destruction of our planet are predictions for our future. This threat clearly raises the anxiety level of many Homo sapiens despite current feeble political attempts for combating this potential catastrophic problem. With all the “warning” devices, reminded me of the study by Joseph Brady in the 50s. Simply, one group of monkeys were provided with continuous regular scheduled electrical shocks and another group of monkeys learned they could press a lever to avoid the shock. The monkeys with the control [pressing a lever] developed more ulcers than the other group. Better not be a monkey.

Regarding aging, there have been wonderful medical advances including diagnosis, medication, prevention and rehabilitation. Some societies have actually increased the lifespan of their inhabitants. However, other societies, subgroups, and others have done harm to their bodies and in the process shortened their lifespan. Despite all the information regarding health, health plan insurance, diets, food plans, health clubs,  pools and apps that measure physical activity, many people do not do well as evidenced by obesity, various medical  illnesses, alcohol and drug or opioid abuse and the dramatic increase in  homicide and suicide rates. In other words, despite intellectual advancement, man’s emotional, rational thinking and objectivity remain barriers .He prevents optimal living by not taking better care of his body.  For instance, food consumption often serves as a medicinal way of filling emotional needs and voids. The everyday reality is troublesome {anxiety} and that interferes with rational choice as evidenced by mortality statistics. Instead man employs too many every day illusions and rationalizations for effective living

Society and its political divide have created more difficulties. Within the 20th century we had totalitarian regimes and world wars. Democracy came to the rescue during that time. There were a number of reasons for the rise of totalitarian regimes that included, but not limited to an economic depression; humiliation and promises of revenge for a World War I defeat; a character structure that had a deep respect for order, obedience, dependence, suggestibility and authority; persuasive, exploitive, sadistic political figures with their seductive promises and lies of nationalistic strength and ridding society of its others and undesirables. The anxiety, feelings of helplessness and powerlessness factored in and resulted in submission and dependence on a leader that was going to rescue the day. Thus, feelings of anxiety, helplessness, insignificance and inability to control one’s life were psychological factors of the day.

Today, although we are not engaged in a world war, we’ve been at battle in the Middle East since 2001. Like yesterday, we have another current enemy that have been called terrorists, Isis, Iran, Hezbollah, Syria etc. In fact we have been involved in regime change, use of military, tax dollars, and diplomacy to fix that situation. Yet somehow, it can be argued that the powerful have perpetuated these wars to protect their interests-oil and the military-industrial complex with the result of continued stress.

Yesterday, Jews, people of color, LGBT, Gypsies and others were hated and scapegoated and blamed for economic hard times. Today, hate crimes against Jews, immigrants, and Muslims dominate statistically; people of color are also discriminated against; homeless, and refugees leaving their homelands continue to make the news. Walls, refugee camps, National Guard, sadistic remarks, chain-link detention centers etc. are discriminatory strategies to protect. I’m not sure what we’re protecting, but we are scapegoating all the “undesirables” and perpetuating hatred.

Yesterday, we had the great depression and economic hardship. Today, we have the record for the greatest income inequality; loss of manufacturing jobs; trade wars, increasing automation; record numbers of homeless, inadequate minimum wage and absence of benefits affecting many in our society. Yesterday, a high school graduate earned decent wages .Today college debt and being overqualified seem to be the norm. With less worker unions, wage earners have meager protection against the giant corporations with feelings of insignificance and powerlessness.

Yesterday, one had to cower under their school desk, head to the school basement, lineup orderly to walk outside to deal with the threat of fire and nuclear annihilation. Today, the teacher might go to the target range; lock the classroom door; teach her students about hiding places and report suspicious activity among fellow students. Get a gun to protect yourself. Gun violence in schools is one current threat for pupils of the day.

Yesterday, we had the radio and television. Today we have electronics and social media dependence. Don’t leave home without your smart cell phone, iPod, navigation device etc. Not  only are we more dependent on these devices, we are at the mercy of the hacking by some government or individual to take our money, manipulate  our grid, interfere with the  transportation network , mess up our satellites, and raise havoc with our military. This is all scary stuff.

It’s clear to me, that psychologically, anxiety, fears, insignificance, meaning, dependence and submission remain significant today. With that being said, it’s no wonder that narcissistic self-serving, Elmer Gantry type histrionic individuals continue to remain a threat. The Pied Piper of today, like yesterday, has had little difficulty fooling and deceiving his flock based on their unresolved needs. They continue to go along with the program regardless of intelligence, rationality or morality. The faithful remain. Anxiety is one major variable or cause. Man’s cruelness toward man perpetuated by anxiety driven behavior continues regardless of century. The pursuit of security, peace, and happiness continue to be illusions for the masses. Anxiety, worry and fear are still present regardless of the present form of democracy and capitalism.

It is known that factors affecting security, anxiety and life are forces of nature; realities regarding the frailty of the human body; and the irrational aspects of society.  it can be debated whether or not the advancement of society has contributed to reducing or increasing man’s anxiety which this essay addresses. It’s apparent that there have been tremendous intellectual and technical advances made within the last century. However, it can also be argued that man’s emotional development, based on behavior, has remained in the Stone Age.

Man has been somewhat successful in dealing with nature such as “knowing” the path of hurricanes with its algorithms statistics . Also, we now have apps that inform us regarding the location of fire. In fact, if we lose energy or electricity, we can purchase a generator to alleviate the disruption of our routines. We might even be able to   purchase homeowners insurance that covers earthquakes, flood damage, fire etc. We also can go green by purchasing solar, electric cars etc. However, global warming affects us currently; and the destruction of our planet are predictions for our future. This threat clearly raises the anxiety level of many Homo sapiens despite current feeble political attempts for combating this potential catastrophic problem. With all the “warning” devices, reminded me of the study by Joseph Brady in the 50s. Simply, one group of monkeys were provided with continuous regular scheduled electrical shocks and another group of monkeys learned they could press a lever to avoid the shock. The monkeys with the control [pressing a lever] developed more ulcers than the other group. Better not be a monkey.

Regarding aging, there have been wonderful medical advances including diagnosis, medication, prevention and rehabilitation. Some societies have actually increased the lifespan of their inhabitants. However, other societies, subgroups, and others have done harm to their bodies and in the process shortened their lifespan. Despite all the information regarding health, health plan insurance, diets, food plans, health clubs,  pools and apps that measure physical activity, many people do not do well as evidenced by obesity, various medical  illnesses, alcohol and drug or opioid abuse and the dramatic increase in  homicide and suicide rates. In other words, despite intellectual advancement, man’s emotional, rational thinking and objectivity remain barriers .He prevents optimal living by not taking better care of his body.  For instance, food consumption often serves as a medicinal way of filling emotional needs and voids. The everyday reality is troublesome {anxiety} and that interferes with rational choice as evidenced by mortality statistics. Instead man employs too many every day illusions and rationalizations for effective living

Society and its political divide have created more difficulties. Within the 20th century we had totalitarian regimes and world wars. Democracy came to the rescue during that time. There were a number of reasons for the rise of totalitarian regimes that included, but not limited to an economic depression; humiliation and promises of revenge for a World War I defeat; a character structure that had a deep respect for order, obedience, dependence, suggestibility and authority; persuasive, exploitive, sadistic political figures with their seductive promises and lies of nationalistic strength and ridding society of its others and undesirables. The anxiety, feelings of helplessness and powerlessness factored in and resulted in submission and dependence on a leader that was going to rescue the day. Thus, feelings of anxiety, helplessness, insignificance and inability to control one’s life were psychological factors of the day.

Today, although we are not engaged in a world war, we’ve been at battle in the Middle East since 2001. Like yesterday, we have another current enemy that have been called terrorists, Isis, Iran, Hezbollah, Syria etc. In fact we have been involved in regime change, use of military, tax dollars, and diplomacy to fix that situation. Yet somehow, it can be argued that the powerful have perpetuated these wars to protect their interests-oil and the military-industrial complex with the result of continued stress.

Yesterday, Jews, people of color, LGBT, Gypsies and others were hated and scapegoated and blamed for economic hard times. Today, hate crimes against Jews, immigrants, and Muslims dominate statistically; people of color are also discriminated against; homeless, and refugees leaving their homelands continue to make the news. Walls, refugee camps, National Guard, sadistic remarks, chain-link detention centers etc. are discriminatory strategies to protect. I’m not sure what we’re protecting, but we are scapegoating all the “undesirables” and perpetuating hatred.

Yesterday, we had the great depression and economic hardship. Today, we have the record for the greatest income inequality; loss of manufacturing jobs; trade wars, increasing automation; record numbers of homeless, inadequate minimum wage and absence of benefits affecting many in our society. Yesterday, a high school graduate earned decent wages .Today college debt and being overqualified seem to be the norm. With less worker unions, wage earners have meager protection against the giant corporations with feelings of insignificance and powerlessness.

Yesterday, one had to cower under their school desk, head to the school basement, lineup orderly to walk outside to deal with the threat of fire and nuclear annihilation. Today, the teacher might go to the target range; lock the classroom door; teach her students about hiding places and report suspicious activity among fellow students. Get a gun to protect yourself. Gun violence in schools is one current threat for pupils of the day.

Yesterday, we had the radio and television. Today we have electronics and social media dependence. Don’t leave home without your smart cell phone, iPod, navigation device etc. Not  only are we more dependent on these devices, we are at the mercy of the hacking by some government or individual to take our money, manipulate  our grid, interfere with the  transportation network , mess up our satellites, and raise havoc with our military. This is all scary stuff.

It’s clear to me, that psychologically, anxiety, fears, insignificance, meaning, dependence and submission remain significant today. With that being said, it’s no wonder that narcissistic self-serving, Elmer Gantry type histrionic individuals continue to remain a threat. The Pied Piper of today, like yesterday, has had little difficulty fooling and deceiving his flock based on their unresolved needs. They continue to go along with the program regardless of intelligence, rationality or morality. The faithful remain. Anxiety is one major variable or cause. Man’s cruelness toward man perpetuated by anxiety driven behavior continues regardless of century. The pursuit of security, peace, and happiness continue to be illusions for the masses. Anxiety, worry and fear are still present regardless of the present form of democracy and capitalism.

Male and Female Brain Differences

Researchers studied physiological arousal measured by genital temperature, wetness and swelling among males and females while viewing pornographic video. Subjects were “healthy” adult men and women along with females having different sexual orientations. These researchers employed [f M. R. I.] scans and measured activity differences in the brain. One purpose was to determine if there were brain activity differences between the sexes. The researchers also incorporated 61 previous research studies as well. They found no significant differences between the sexes pertaining to   sexual arousal. Their study also found brain activation in women that revealed similar brain responses to arousal as well as to photos of vomiting or feces. This sameness, opposite or combination was puzzling to say the least and not yet adequately explained.

One question raised, in the article, was why statistically are males the more frequent consumers of pornographic material?  It’s obvious, that arousal is one variable. However, a second variable relates to the behavior or motivation of the individual. One behaviorally can pursue pornographic material in order to become aroused. Of course there are other means for arousal. Second, we know that the age of an individual determines one’s testosterone and estrogen levels and these levels began to diminish in the 20s. Hormonal levels relate to sexual arousal. Third, we know that sexual behavior is affected by attitude, thoughts, feelings, mental health, mental illness, life satisfaction etc.

Turning to the brain, we also know that male and female brains are more alike than different. That cannot be said as far as sexual behavior between the sexes. We also know that the brain can be divided into three sections and sexual arousal is located in the hypothalamus which is located in the archaic brain where there are no significant male or female differences. Most differences, in the brain, are found in the third section -cortex. Within the left hemisphere, males exhibit less impulse control than females. Other executive functions found in the cortex {left hemisphere} include higher cognition, abstract thought, and use of language and social behavior. For females, their left hemisphere is usually their more dominant hemisphere.

 Furthermore, when there are frontal lobe abnormalities, the brain has difficulty regulating such things as inhibition or control of impulses and emotions, planning and organization, movement, overall social and cognitive behavior including judgment, and decision-making. Individuals with antisocial behavior-frontal lobe abnormalities  {more often men] are characterized by increased violence, impaired impulsivity,  poor judgment,  failure to conform to social norms, aggressiveness, disregard for the safety of oneself and others, glibness, inability to feel love and are more deceitful.

Related to arousal and viewing pornography was highlighted in a New York Times article.  For instance, in 1998 there were over 3, 000 reports of child sexual abuse imagery. 10 years later, yearly reports soared past 100,000. In 2017 there were 18.4 million reports that included over 45 million images of videos of child sexual abuse.

Difficulties like not enough funding for the various governmental  agencies  dealing with sexual criminal behavior, encrypted sophistication by social media  criminals, not enough regulations or oversite  by the tech companies, inadequacy or will of politicians, the diversion of government money from one agency to  another ie. Homeland security (to combat immigration], and the inability of all the agencies in keeping pace with the increased levels of abuse.

Pedophilia is a psychiatric disorder “pertaining to the act or fantasy of engaging in sexual activity with prepubertal children as an exclusive method of achieving sexual excitement.” Incarcerated individuals with this diagnosis reported that some engaged in child sexual abuse and then became involved in video and others reported that they initially watched video and then engaged in child sexual abuse. Incidentally, more males are incarcerated than females with this diagnosis.

Arousal, for the sexes, play an important role in human nature. However, the Internet makes it too easy to view pornography. Although there are no apparent arousal differences regarding erotic imagery between the sexes, the following is true: 1. More males have an antisocial behavior diagnosis 2. More males are incarcerated for sexual crimes 3. More males are engaged in online pornography 4. Males have more right hemisphere domination 5. More understanding regarding sexual behavior can be found in the executive functions of the cortex.

References

The New York Times “Men’s and women’s brains show similar responses to erotic imagery. What does that reveal about the deeper mysteries of sexuality?” Found in the September 22, 2019. “Stolen Innocence Gone Viral.” Found in the September 29, 2019 edition.

Cerebral Dominance The Left &. Right Brain found in 2008 Institute for Natural Resources

It's about Winning and Losing

Shortly after the University of Michigan’s football recent loss to the Wisconsin Badgers, a number of individuals called for the firing of head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh was also criticized for failing to win a Big Ten championship but more importantly for not being able to best Urban Meyer’s Ohio State Buckeyes. Urban Meyer stepped down from being their head coach after the past season. However, this year’s Buckeyes team, with its new coach, are currently tied for third place in the AP college football poll while Harbaugh’s Wolverines are ranked 16.

Harbaugh, prior to becoming Michigan’s head coach, was previously the head coach at Stanford from 2007 to 2010. His record at Stanford was 29 wins and 21 losses. Leaving Stanford, he became head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 through 2014. His record with the 49ers was 44 wins, 19 losses, and 1 tie or a .690 winning percentage. His National Football Conference Championship 49er team played in the Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens. His 49er squad lost to his older brother John’s Ravens in that game. After last week’s victory, Jim Harbaugh’s record at Michigan stands at 42 wins and 15 losses.

Let’s compare Stanford’s football record from 2011 to 2019. Currently, David Shaw‘s record as Stanford’s head coach stands at 85 wins and 29 losses. While his overall record is better than was Jim Harbaugh’s, it must be pointed out that in his first three years, his record was 34 wins and 7 losses.  Credit must be given to Harbaugh for his recruitment of those players. The San Francisco 49ers head coaches had been Jim Tomsula, Chip Kelly and currently Kyle Shanahan. Their overall record stands at 30 wins and 47 losses. Clearly, Jim record was significantly better than the array of 49er coaches.

Let’s now take a look at the Ohio State Buckeyes. Urban Meyer’s coaching record from 2012 through 2019 stands at 82 wins and 9 losses. In 2014, the Buckeyes were National Champions. His team also captured three Big Ten titles. Make no mistake about it, Myers record was spectacular. Perhaps, a big part of Meyer success was related in his ability to recruit outstanding high school players to come to Columbus. Just think of the All-Americans under coach Meyer- 19.  Further, 44 OSU players play in the NFL. Plus, Meyers had talented, skilled, offensive players such as Hyde, Miller, Elliott and Haskins to name a few. On the other hand, the Wolverines have 18 of their players playing in the NFL and 8 were All-Americans. Thus from a football achievement standpoint, that nod clearly goes to Meyer’s players.

Make no mistake about it, there are other significant variables that account for a football teams won and loss success but are beyond the scope of this essay. For example, what about the coaching continuity prior to the hiring of Harbaugh and Meyer as well as within their coaching tenure? The Buckeyes  have had more coaching continuity. Second, was Meyer’s offensive and defensive philosophy better suited for college football than Harbaugh’s? Third, which coach had better developed their player’s football potential? Fourth, which coach had better developed their player’s personality for life after football? Fifth, which coach developed a greater team camaraderie among its players? Sixth, which coach made a greater impact on the personal lives of their players? Seventh, which coach had more wins in their first three seasons-players recruited from the previous coach?  Meyer’s record was 38 wins and 3 losses while Harbaugh’s was 28 wins and 11 losses. These are just a few of the variables associated with winning a football game. We conclude, at this point, in their meetings, Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes scored more points per game than Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines. Is that a good reason for firing Harbaugh?

Go Blue!

Making Things Right

Two articles in the September 15, 2019 edition of the New York Times caught my attention. The first, “Opioid Defendants Seek To Disqualify Judge” took place in Ohio. Defense lawyers representing giant retail pharmacy chains like Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Rite Aid and drug distributors Cardinal Health, Amerisource Bergen, and McKesson filed briefs claiming that this judge was biased. Apparently the judge made comments about his intention to settle this case and bring relief to local governments and individuals hit hard by this crisis. Further, recent rulings of pre-trial decisions against the defendants were a concern. These defendants wanted the case to be heard by a jury. However, the plaintiffs argued the case should be heard by a judge because the drug industry has created a public nuisance affecting the health and well-being of the county’s citizens.

If the plaintiffs received an award, those monies should go towards research, prevention and treatment. If the defendants win, then the profit-greed motive rules without consequences. As I view it, the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy chains, drug distributors, physicians and patients all play a part. It’s no surprise that patients seek surgery to reduce or eliminate pain and then become dependent on the addictive qualities of drug use.  Begin a clinical medication monitoring program after surgery reimbursed by the drug and insurance industries in order to effectively combat this man made hazard.

The second “California Puts Abortion Pills in Public Universities” had to do with a bill that would use public donator money to equip and train campus health centers for roughly 75,000 enrolled students in the University of California and California State University system. Of course anti-abortion groups are likely to challenge this legislation if it is signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

A similar bill was introduced in Massachusetts. According to the FDA, medication abortion, established in 2000, accounted for about a third of American abortions. Research studies have shown it to be safe and effective in most cases. The University of Illinois at Chicago utilized this method for about 33,000 students. Up to now, most of the health centers provided gynecology exams and contraception but referred students seeking abortions to outside clinics. This bill would require public universities to provide medication abortion.

As far as public universities in California providing medication abortion with donations, I’m in support. It’s clear that a pregnancy should be an individual decision made by the partners. It’s clear that university age individuals participate in intercourse which is natural. Abstinence is not physiologically or psychologically reasonable nor healthy.

If there is concern regarding the fetus, then the following variables must be in play: 1. The mother should be in a solid relationship that includes a long-term commitment; with an emotionally and mentally healthy partner; be socioeconomically and educationally established; coupled with the strong desire for mothering and child rearing. 2. Having a supportive family environment. 3. Have health care coverage.  These three variables are important for a healthy psychological environment for the well-being of the fetus. Realistically, protect the fetus.

It’s clear that Moses and God realized the nature of man per the 10 Commandments. Thou shall not commit adultery was a moral commandment and made sense morally. There were no commandments regarding legal or non- legal abortion nor regarding the rights of a fetus. Antiabortion groups are misguided, punitive and irrational with their parochial beliefs. If they don’t want an abortion fine. However, keep and separate their prejudice within their own.

Incarceration or Treatment

Some may remember that the “war on drugs” began in 1971 as a result of drug use both in the United States and among the US troops serving in Vietnam. The solution was simply incarceration with the result of compromising too many families. Of course, those arrested with black skin far outnumbered those with white skin.  Even the penalties for possession were more severe for the blacks. This essay suggests we should eliminate our punitive war on drugs and replace it with more empathetic, holistic and research oriented strategies.

This is another war that we’ve lost. Let’s look at the following statistics: 1. One American was arrested for drug possession every 25 seconds 2. More Americans die each year from overdose then those perished in Vietnam, Afghan and Iraqi wars combined. 3. More than 2 million children in America live with a parent suffering from illicit drug dependency 4. The White House has estimated that the opiate crisis exceeds $500 billion a year - suffering from illicit drug dependency. That’s equivalent to roughly $4000 per household and that doesn’t include cocaine, meth and other drug use. 5. Alex Kral, an epidemiologist with the RTI International Think Tank stated “legislative and law enforcement solutions to drug problems in the US have constantly caused more harm than they have solved.”

Another way at more humanly dealing with substance abuse has been implemented in Portugal and Canada. Portugal, for example, decriminalized possession of all drugs in 2001. The result- Portugal’s overdose death rate has plunged. Canada has provided heroin, with medical supervision, for long-time users who can’t break their addictions. In our country, Seattle has started directing people toward social services assistance instead of incarceration. In essence, they have decriminalized the use of hard drugs. They understand that to deal with this addiction problem, one must think about underlying causes.

Picking on West Virginia, we found that 14% of babies are born exposed to drugs and perhaps 5% more on alcohol. These newborn babies are dependent on opioids. They tremble, cry, can’t sleep, vomit, barely eat and lose weight. It’s clear, these babies have symptoms of drug withdrawal. Babies going through severe withdrawal are likely given medication like methadone or heroin to ease the symptoms. Yes, symptoms are treated with drugs even for the young. I’m not a betting man, but the likelihood of those babies developing into productive human beings are slim.

It’s a crime to ingest certain drugs but not yet a crime for a drug addicted mother or drug addicted father to become a partner in an unplanned or planned pregnancy. There should be some moral consequence for having a baby under these negative circumstances. We know that incarceration doesn’t work. Perhaps, a program to deal with physical, psychological and economic health that includes options for preventing pregnancy, aborting pregnancy, adoption and/or foster care for the newborn. No one asked the baby if it wanted to be born with these hobbles. A program is also necessary to assist the baby with its drug dependency status as well. This may mean separating the baby from its addicted mother.

Sources: The New York Times August 28, 2019 “Ending the War on Drugs” and the New York Times September 8, 2019 “Newborns Crying for Drugs, Not Milk.”

Bye-Bye Love

In last week’s post, I mentioned that Epicurus, with his pleasure-absence of pain philosophy, believed that friendship was most significant in order to achieve the highest goal in life - happiness. Many years later Barrett, with an existential slant, stated that “the individual is thrust out of that sheltered nest … He learns that the solitude of the self is an irreducible dimension of human life …. In the end, he sees each man as solitary and unsheltered before his own death. More recently, Horney and others wrote about the anxiety and tension system surrounding the cutting of the umbilical cord at birth and further, the negative consequences of anxiety throughout life. In fact, the Everly Brothers, in the 1950s, recorded Bye Bye Love. This popular hit touches on the theme {dynamics of loneliness} of this essay. The first stanza as follows: Bye bye love; Bye bye happiness;   Hello loneliness; I think I’ma gonna cry.  With those lyrics and the interrelatedness of the above as background, let’s turn our attention on the beginning separateness of the infant.

The infant immediately experiences anxiety and trauma when expelled from the womb. The anxiety or tension from the infant’s physiological needs are reduced by the caretaker. Eventually, the association between tension reduction by the caretaker are reinforced.  Then, at about six months, when that caretaker leaves the room, the six-month-old experiences separation anxiety and cries over the loss. At this point, the infant experiences being alone and separate from the caretaker. Psychologically, dependency, solitude, nakedness and loneliness surfaces. That infant is unable to survive on its own and is clearly dependent on another for its life.

Turning the focus on the underlying crisis of “loneliness”, as a significant and primary anxiety state, we now have one of the main dynamics that motivates man. The child quickly learns that by crying, day or night, it can likely reduce its separation from the caretaker. In childhood, the ability to make associations, with others, is one criteria for mental health. The interpersonal interactions take on the degrees of three main strategies. One can move aggressively or sadistically toward another; one can be dependent or masochistic with another; or per Fromm, one can learn to interact with care, respect, responsibility and knowledge {characteristics of love] with another.  In any event,  the individual learns to reduce its anxiety, uneasiness and discomfort of being alone by associating with another.

Throughout one’s development, one attempts to learn many conscious techniques or strategies to escape the emptiness of loneliness.  As an adolescent, one can become part of a clique; join a team, a club or some other association; attach oneself to a girlfriend or boyfriend; falling in love; engage in a lot of sex; have a baby of one’s own; use drugs, alcohol or some other substance; lose oneself in an electronic device or devices; identify with some sports hero, media star or other “famous” individual etc. Of course, these strategies are just” fixes” because one is always “alone.”

Later on the individual attempts to reduce loneliness by getting married. Remember the marital vow says to death do us part. Getting married was supposed to alleviate the loneliness crisis. We also have divorce followed by another marriage even though one might have said” I’m not ever getting married again.” In fact, some even divorce and remarry the same individual.

Unfortunately, marriage does not resolve the loneliness dynamic. Further, it’s not surprising, but after a long union, when one spouse dies it’s quickly followed by the death of the partner. It’s also not surprising, that we have the empty nest syndrome; having many children; moving in with children etc. Also, it’s not surprising that so many have difficulty with retirement and lose their work friends in the process. The death rate following retirement is also high {for teamsters, it’s 3 years|.

It’s a fact, that many individuals submerge and distract themselves in cognitive or physical work; keep busy at a frantic pace; and live an exhausting life. However, when it comes to sleeping at night, there are unable to turn off the thoughts in their head and retire with a good night’s sleep. Also, how many drive their vehicles in complete silence or walk around their home without having TV or radio playing in the background? It’s very difficult to be alone because of the anxiety, uncomfortableness or restlessness it generates.

Another terrific option for companionship rests with owning a pet. In fact, my equines and dogs were more than companions. My horses Nowata, Leo, Running Bear, Raider and Gypsy carried me during my Ride and Tie and endurance competitions. My lab Beau and border collies Scampi, Misty and Sherry accompanied me on many trails while conditioning my horses and myself. I have shed many tears with their departures.  The grief was severe. It’s also been said that a man’s best friend is his dog and there’s a lot of truth in that saying. The article in the August 4, 2019 of the New York Times titled “Things People Say to Their Dogs” tells more of the story with the following examples: “You’re so cute and so smart. And worth money; I could marry you.” “Don’t even think about it.” “Be nice; when you get tired, you get nasty.” “You guys are going to have to get coordinated.” “Be part of the solution, buddy.” “We talked about this; no eating stuff you find on the street.” “Hey; Stop it; We talked about this yesterday.”

Despite the numbers of roommates, romances, apps, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc., Great Britain has a loneliness epidemic. We have senior living centers where old folks can meet new associates .Unfortunately, it’s a setting where everyone dies. Residing in Senior Centers are simply sadomasochistic arrangements. Remember, it doesn’t matter how many social media friends, tweets, and followers one has, because one is separate and the existential crisis reality is that everyone dies alone. This is the quandary of human nature.  And, the 3 powerful words “I love you “do not solve the loneliness crisis. Some, for their solution, look to God on their death bed.

PS

Ram Dass, in his wisdom, stated “The ego, this incarnation, is life and dying. The soul is infinite.” Aside with his brilliance, believed in meditation and in the here and now. His spiritual friend and teacher was the Maharaji. In fact, Steve Jobs traveled to India in 1974, on a pilgrimage, in search of the Maharaji. Unfortunately, this spiritual leader had died a year earlier.

Conscious and Unconscious Motivation

Greek philosophers explained motivation.  With their insight, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle believed that knowledge, rationality, wisdom, and virtue was associated with good behavior. In fact, Aristotle believed that the highest achievement for life was happiness and that it could be reached through reason.  While Aristippus, perhaps the originator of hedonism, believed that pleasure, in the moment, was necessary for happiness to occur. Then, Epicurus advocated pleasure but disapproved of sexual intercourse. Instead, he believed that friendship was to be advocated. These Greeks were smart.

Later, St. Augustine considered the will as the most important aspect of life and that it was separate from knowledge. He believed will and virtue would rule the body. Yes, that was how he controlled sexual passions. Years later, Machiavlli blamed bad education and religion as affecting poor government. He saw power, egoism, along with fear and love as effective tools for manipulating the masses. Later Rosseau’s belief was that man was essentially good but was spoiled by a bad society and poor government. These intellectual giants believed in conscious determinants for action.

Another philosopher Spinoza, postulated that man was influenced by his unconscious for determining behavior. The idea that consciousness caused behavior was challenged. Could man be influenced by an area of the mind that was hidden from him? Later, Freud postulated and incorporated the idea of interaction between a conscious, pre-conscious and unconscious mind.

Freud’s model of the mind was very detailed and complex. Let’s start with his idea that “the child is the father of the man” as history was important. Further, the qualities of the unconscious or primary process of the mind included: being unorganized, illogical, and timeless, coupled with an absence of good, an absence of evil, and an absence of morality as unconscious components. In the conscious or secondary process model of the mind or executive functions, we find: ability to perceive, remember, judge, discriminate, abstract, generalize, think, reason, feel and act.

To begin, it was believed that unconscious forces work along with the occurrence of developmental crises which have either been resolved or not. The developmental process continues along with individual needs and various conflicts, coupled with anxiety .These interact and point to the why or the driving forces of behavior. When asking someone to explain their actions, conscious explanations are given. However, according to the unconscious model, one looks into the unconscious to find meaning. The presented conflict did not begin nor originate in the present, but belongs to the past within the repeated history of the individual. A current response would be colored by history within the unconscious.

This brief overview provides a limited interpretation, at best, of the workings of the mind. What goes on in the mind motivates actions. Let’s use an example of a male figure denying a rape or sexual assault charge. There are a large number of people that would support the accused and discount the female in question. One way to explain the remarks or explanations follows. More than likely, a denial about the male behavior and blaming the female would generate anxiety in the mind of the individual. Therefore, the emotional overlay would relate to a previously caused conflict occurring from that individual’s past. The past conflict might be associated with a verbally or physically controlling aggressive male; perceiving females to be property, being in a vulnerable situation with a powerful male; being fearful of females, being fearful of aggressive males; having some sexual difficulty; dislike and conflict with females; some impaired interpersonal interaction; experiencing guilt or something that she/he did, did not, or wanting it to happen etc. With that being said, the current thinking reduced the unpleasantness of the anxiety of the prior conflict in order for the mind to reach homeostasis. The mind created defensive options in order to do just that.

 In other words, the supporting individual might verbally reply defensively as follows: She deserved it because of her flirtation; she should’ve fought back and defended herself; since it happened a long time ago, she doesn’t remember fully or correctly; she probably consented in some way; she’s doing it for the money; what took her so long to report this; she’s lying. Statements like these are called defense mechanisms and place blame on the female. Statements that exonerate the male include the following: Males are just aggressive and she “no” really meant “yes”; he’s honorable and trustworthy; look at all the support he has from males and females, they believe him; he was young and that’s how men act. Essentially, a defense mechanism reduces anxiety and allows the individual to overlook, dismiss, give the benefit of the doubt, and distort by creating a defense or protection for self.

Within Freud’s thinking, a mental explanation, of the above, would also be part of an emotional connection with that individual identifying with a particular tribe, group or certain individual.  With an anxiety producing statement or idea, that anxiety or tension has to be reduced. The degree or importance of the attachment or symbolization of the present or person can be traced back to one’s early history. Defense mechanisms and identifications surface.

A Defense Mechanism is an attempt, unconsciously, to alleviate or protect self from emotional conflict pertaining to instinct, affect, disagreeable situation and anxiety by employing some cognitive explanation to mask it. Explanations can be creative, rational or extraordinary. The focus or purpose is to operate unconsciously – the individual is not aware of what’s taking place and second, to reduce anxiety through justification, denial and distortion of reality. The particular defense mechanisms used are related to the individual’s particular identification, personal meaning of the crisis, and conflict which produced the danger or anxiety. There are 10 defense mechanisms available for the ego for utilization. A more complete description can be found in Anna Freud’s” The Ego and Mechanisms of Defense.”

We live life by consciously justifying or explaining our behavior or the behavior of someone else. It doesn’t appear to matter whether the behavior- is good, bad, moral, amoral, rational, or irrational. We are very sophisticated and continue to fool ourselves by employing conscious explanations, rational, or reasons for all our actions. Just listen to the tribal politics of cable news and hear their simplistic reasons, opinions, generalizations or their predictions about situations or world events. Thank you Socrates, Machiavlli, Rosseau and other philosophers for your wonderful, insightful and explanations for conscious behavior. These intellectual giants made significant contributions with their thought provoking ideas. However, that’s only part of the story. Yes, human behavior is complicated and defense mechanisms, identifications, and history make it more so.

Happiness Is a Pain

This essay complements a previous post regarding the seeking of pleasure and avoiding pain. Thomas Jefferson included the pursuit of happiness in the Constitution. The early Greek philosophers-Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and other’s explored the notion of behavior in terms of seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. And, seeking pleasure was equated with happiness which was considered pleasure.  The Greeks included other concepts in pursuing happiness like knowledge and wisdom. Freud Incorporated seeking pleasure within his concept of the pleasure principle and later added Thanatos – the destructive drive. However, it’s my contention that the need for pain or discomfort is a formidable barrier that interferes with achieving pleasure and satisfaction. In fact, goal seeking behaviors are often accompanied with painful consequences.   Murray called the motivation for self-inflicted pain an Abasement need.

It’s common knowledge that we begin life, at birth, with pain, discomfort, anxiety, fear, dependency, and being alone. And, if it’s not for a nurturing caretaker to meet our physiological needs, we perish. So our beginning is based on the gratification of our physiological needs along with the accompanying tension system of pain and/or discomfort. The baby is taken from the mother, slapped and then cries. Is this pleasure or happiness?  How‘s this for an introduction to the external world? Further, our psychosocial development is based on adapting and confronting unconsciously our precarious place within our psychological space. Essentially, we developed competencies in an attempt to master the many negatives and challenges surrounding our development. These competencies were difficult and often painful to achieve i.e., walking without falling.

In our capitalistic economic society, power, possessions, fame, control and perhaps well-being is believed to be based on the accumulation of capital. The acquiring of capital is admired especially by those that don’t have it. We can acquire capital through inheritance, trust fund, or create some technical device. We are told, statistically, that college graduates earn more than non-college graduates. Again, we are told that graduate and professional degree holders do quite well economically. Climbing the corporate ladder, employment on Wall Street, or running a large corporation can result in becoming part of the 1%. For others, chasing money, earning a living, or receiving government assistance matters. The accumulation of money is expected to result in achieving happiness but always has a personal cost connected with it. Steve Jobs died young with all that fame, fortune and impaired family ties. Andrew Luck achieved fame and fortune and then retired at age 29 as a result of injuries- “It wasn’t fun anymore.”

Securing that special job; purchasing that dream house; winning the lottery brings happiness or does it bring devices or things that mask the unhappiness or pain in the present. Yes, receiving that promotion results initially with a positive feeling. Unfortunately, that positive feeling doesn’t last because of the boredom, satiation and sameness of the job.  We can change employment; change relationships and wives; change our automobiles, homes and other economically based things. Acquiring and chasing do not result in long-term happiness or pleasure. Unfortunately, it’s only a mask, a temporary fix, for relieving the difficulty with the anxiety in living. How many divorces occur after purchasing that “dream house? “

Man has created many diversions, aids, devices and opportunities to alleviate his existential threat of being on this planet. Let’s just take a look at our bodies with its decay and aging. For instance, there are changes to our HGH; DHEA; estrogen and progesterone; and testosterone levels. These reduced changes affect us significantly. There are numerous minerals and vitamins supplements that are suggested for use or compensations. Where told to eat nutritiously, engage in movement and challenge our minds. The cliché is “use it or lose it,” but only if you can.  And, in the end we all die.

Linda had a reverse shoulder replacement {from an equine accident} roughly three months ago. For the previous two years  she put herself through physical therapy,  changed her diet significantly, and took numerous nutrients in an attempt to alleviate her pain and suffering. She did not have much fun during that period of time. That pain affected significantly her well-being, and as a last resort she decided to have surgery. Currently, after much discomfort during her rehabilitation, she is doing better and has less pain to avoid.  However, she has to be careful not to exacerbate her physical limitations.

My father had juvenile diabetes and he talked about his future which entailed the crippling of his body. He was in and out of the hospital on many occasions during my youth and adulthood. They started amputating and he died shortly thereafter reaching 70 years of age. He didn’t experience much pleasure during his life. Let’s look at more recent history.

For the last 22 years my attention or my illusion have centered on my body. The book “Stopping the Clock” was my Bible. I set out to fight, deter and change the inevitable. The inevitable is that I’m aging and all I have to do is look in the mirror to see that happening even though my mental life entertains adolescent thoughts at times. Once again, in this regard, I’m not pursuing pleasure but I’m attempting to avoid pain and the reality of atrophy.

In part for my health and well-being, my goal was to run the Western States 100 mile endurance run. For the most part, the grueling miles of trail running resulted in pain and overuse injuries. On a positive note, my training partner was a young good-looking female. I wouldn’t call it pleasure but I would call it a very pleasant distraction from the physical exertion. I also wouldn’t call running the Western States pleasurable. There was considerable performance anxiety prior to the run and I did not welcome being bitten by mosquitoes traversing over Squaw Valley. It was hot, with a dirty trail and physically exhausting. Moments of relief came from arriving at an aid station and interacting with the many acquaintances during the event. At Robinson Flat, I was joined by Jim my first pacer. Once again that was a pleasant distraction but it did not eliminate the pain. After crossing No Hands Bridge, Jerome, another friend and new pacer, encouraged me to overtake others ahead of me. I did so. Did I experience happiness? Happiness no, satisfaction yes. I finished, and was an age division winner. Did I then experience happiness? No, but I did find relief and tremendous satisfaction. When I got home, I puked. No happiness there. Yes, I did not avoid pain but in fact I subjected myself to it. Am I now healthier?

I know about diversions in attempting to avoid pain and to disguise reality. The corporations and big business have also figured out about minimizing pain by disguising everyday reality. We can distort pain through the wonderful world of chemicals as in alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. We’re making these chemical aids more legal in state after state. Is there a relationship with withdrawal from the environment and people and pleasure or happiness? We can distort and minimize pain through the medical and pharmaceutical industry. Surgery and opioid dependence and addiction are examples of attempts to reduce pain. The entertainment industry has many vehicles for relief. Once again these are temporary and may provide short-term pleasure. Vacations, shorter work weeks, and affairs are short-term attempts in reaching happiness. Simply put, they are superficial and can result in long-term negativity.  The Abasement need is dominant. Suicide rate among military and police and the opioid epidemic are facts.

In conclusion, the drive to seek pleasure is very strong as well as the motivation to self-inflict. Big business has figured out ways to feed that enormous contradiction cavity in our being. It doesn’t matter if it’s short-term or long-term at this point. Obviously, some relief is better than no relief from the challenge in living. We’ve been brainwashed or brain massaged to believe that chasing money or greed is good.  In fact our capitalistic economy is based on just that fact. One other point not addressed is the fact that man with his imagination and cognitive tools, can tell himself and rationalize all kinds of things like “I’m happy.”  Reality can be distorted through the use of various defense mechanisms. We humans are terrific at harming ourselves during the illusion of happiness.

Field Theory Research

Dr. Jacob Kounin {one of Kurt Lewin’s Doctoral students} provided insight into the classroom dynamics between students and their teacher to determine the effectiveness and strategies of how and why learning occurs. He went beyond clichés like: it all depends upon the child and the situation; admonitions about establish rapport; make it interesting; love of children; and understanding in his exploration. Kounin didn’t believe that these generalizations ran classrooms effectively.

Dr. Kounin hypothesized that there were concrete techniques in managing classrooms that corresponded to the amount of work involvement and misbehavior in learning situations; and that successful classrooms correlated with a high percentage of work involvement and a low percentage of pupil misbehavior.

Camps, elementary, high school, and college classrooms were studied, initially with experimenter observations. Observing classrooms didn’t work so videotaping {a more complete record of what actually took place} of 80 classrooms were used along with interviews and questionnaires.

I’m limiting Dr. Kounin’s research findings to satiation. Satiation was defined by Kurt Lewin as the change in valence of an activity due to repetition. Consult May 10, 2019 post for more on Dr. Kurt Lewin. Does the nature of classroom activity or repetition relate to work involvement and misbehavior?

Some findings: 1. Teachers that maintained a positive valence for academic activities with a verbal challenge and fun expectation expressions like “This next one is going to be fun, I know you will enjoy it,”  “You’re going to need your thinking caps for the next one, it’s tricky” increased work involvement and reduced pupil deviancy in both recitation and seatwork settings. 2. Teacher programing reduced satiation by learning- related variety {recitation plus seatwork}. 3. Pupil felt progress in learning {longer learning activity} was a more important anti- satiation factor for older children than younger children. 4. Variety {short term learning situation} may be more salient for younger children.5. Seatwork variety correlated with behavior in seatwork; with work involvement and freedom from deviancy.

In conclusion, classroom activities that require perseveration or repetition only are more quickly satiated than learning activities requiring thought and judgement. Running a classroom is a complicated endeavor. It has to do with developing a non-satiating learning program; programing for learner perceived progress; incorporating challenge and variety in learning activities.

 Additional information can be found in Kounin, Jacob S.  Discipline and Group Management in Classrooms. Holt ,Rinehart and Winston Inc.

Calling It What It Is

There are some that attribute the White Supremacist hate crime mass shootings on mental health. If that is so, then take a look at the following as contributing factors: 1. Excessive hateful tweets by the Commander-In-Chief 2. Excessive incarceration rates for people of color 3. Excessive income inequality 4. Excessive suicide rates for children and adolescents 5. Excessive lack of personal savings 6. Excessive student college debt 7. Excessive murders 8. Excessive political divide 9. Excessive increase in hate crimes 10. Excessive minimum wage 11. Low-level ranking of happiness 12. Excessive divorce, marital, and child abuse and 13. Excessive social media, TV, and radio discord. These 13  factors suggest that many individuals in power such as our economic, corporate and political leaders have mental health issues as well as they’ve contributed in managing, promoting , controlling  and making us ill in our  very sick culture. With that being said, let’s begin by examining the difficulty of parental upbringing as a main contributing variable in the development of those that commit hate crime murders and provide an intervention strategy.

One concern are the family issues within the psychological development of our young that participate in hate crime murders. The first place to start is to take a look at the so-called nuclear family that rears these despicable individuals. We believe that the foundations of personality is essentially established by five or six years of age. We know that marital relationships are difficult and that the length of a marriage does not necessarily correlate with harmony and bliss within that union. We also know that unhappy parents stay together for many reasons and they often use the kids as being one excuse. Add, limited education; limited manufacturing and other employment issues; limited financial resources; and limited personal future outlook and its effect on the development of the child. We know that the birth of a child does not contribute to strengthening a marital relationship in troubled economic and political times. Within this framework, let’s take a look at the birth of a child.

The infant begins life with the birth trauma. This internal anxiety state affects the heart and respiration rates of the newborn and sets the stage for future anxiety tension systems during rearing. How can these parents focus on the physiological and psychological needs of the newborn within the conflicting psychological stress within their life space? They likely have difficulty meeting their own psychological needs let alone the needs of the young. Within this dynamic, we believe that it can be very difficult for the newborn to develop a sense of trust with their parents and the other Homo sapiens that follow. With the formation of a sense of mistrust, one becomes fearful, anxious, suspicious and paranoid regarding others that do not fit within their cognitive schema. Therefore, the assimilation and accommodation development within their cognitive schema results with individuals that are uneasy and suspicious who dislike and hate other Homo sapiens. It’s not a surprise why these individuals are prejudiced.

The infant initially, within his development ,learns about the dangers in the external world; what is considered “good “behavior; what is considered” bad” behavior; behavior that’s likely to be physically punished; behavior that’s likely to result in dissatisfaction with the parent by their  taking away  love, praise and other positive reinforcements; behavior that is considered moral and ethical; behavior based on lies, falsehoods, prejudices and idiosyncratic beliefs; and what the youngster can get away with in the absence of the disciplining parent. Often, it’s difficult for the young child to learn consistency regarding appropriate and inappropriate behavior.  How does the child learn about appropriate and inappropriate punishments and discipline techniques? The answer of course rests on the idiosyncratic beliefs and behavior by the parents. It’s not too unusual for attitudes regarding behavior to differ between parents as males are generally more punitive, stern and rule conscious. Thus, we have a wide array of different beliefs, different consistencies and different disciplinary mechanisms imposed by parents. We also know that love oriented discipline is more effective in fostering positive conscience development than physical punishments.

Around three or four years of age, the formation of conscience and guilt begins with the child identifying with the powerful and omnipotent parental figures. The parent’s conscience, moral and ethical code becomes adopted by the child. It’s as if the child now has a code for human behavior that’s borrowed from the parent’s behavior. The phrase “do what I say not what I do” fits here.  That base, parental actions, becomes firmly established but can evolve when other important identifying figures become part of the individual’s life. Identification can be about persons, beliefs, ideas, prejudices and attitudes. By five or six years of age or so, the child has a rudimentary sense of right and wrong. Remember, right can be wrong and wrong can be right. It’s about perception, belief and reinforcement. Freud’s “the child is father of the man” fits. A child’s prejudice, contradictory beliefs and opinions can generally be traced back to parental attitudes and behavior.

 Attitudes regarding ethnic and racial prejudices as well as the beginnings of moral and ethical conduct and understandings are learned from parents. The power of their influence can be in either a positive or negative direction. Furthermore, conscience development proceeds and goes beyond notions of right or wrong and enters into a concept of justice based upon considerations of equity among and between individuals for those with cognitive maturity. With this understanding, the importance of developing a sense of trust and a “normal” sense of guilt and conscience is highly dependent on parental rearing practices. If these areas are damaged, there are serious negative consequences with the probability of sadomasochistic character development.

The child becomes an adolescent and in this stage he begins forming an identity. If all goes well that identity is based on many components including school achievement and competency; beginning independence from family; getting along appropriately with adults, authority figures; and developing satisfying interpersonal relationships with peer group. If successful, being popular, being part of various school social groups, fitting in, being part of athletic, music and art groups and doing well academically are norms and indications that things are developing well for the adolescent.

However, if unsuccessful, the adolescent is likely to be deficient in academics, not participating in the performing arts, sports, and student government coupled with impaired social relationships along with drugs and alcohol issues. With identity diffusion, the adolescent is now vulnerable and susceptible to various and opposing ideologies and/or cults. The adolescent becomes more noncompliant, oppositional and rebellious against authority figures within the norms of society. The adolescent is ripe for unconventional, hate filled rhetoric and has limited rational, analytical and in-depth reasoning faculties. This loner can be easily misled and becomes a non- rational follower. This alienated loner becomes a threat to society and requires some form of intervention as a result of the personality variables of mistrust, impaired conscience, and diffuse identity.

Within our insane society, perhaps the federal government can contribute to a solution rather than perpetuating by taking a do-nothing stance. What you call it- mental health or call it anything else doesn’t matter. What matters is identifying and treating the problem. This is a homeland security issue. That means federal funding is available within this large agency. We also know that teachers, counselors, principals, parents and even students can help identify the emotionally vulnerable that are having difficulty adjusting. Therefore, we need to develop a pipeline of communication among all the players.

 Create a mental health unit to consult with secondary schools to identify troubled youth and their families.  With identification, send an intervention team of educated and mental health individuals into the home environment of the troubled in order to develop a communication network between all the participants. That could be a start in identifying potential hateful, murderous and prejudiced individuals. The goal is to assist families and reduce potential violence from these troubled youth. Let’s start with identification and opening up dialogue.