September 11: 10 Years Later

As we approach the 10th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville, we will reflect on what happened on that tragic day, and remember. This will involve a renewed focus on the video footage of the planes hitting the Towers. Indeed, in watching television yesterday, I was reminded of the shocking moment of impact. It made me very sad, but also aware that I have not been so jaded that it no longer had an effect.

As we look back, from a psychological perspective, we must take into account several things.

1) Many of our children are too young to remember, and are seeing it for the first time. They may have questions, feel scared, and rely on YOU, as their parents and caregivers, to provide an explanation, assurance and safety.
2) Terrorism is a fact of life for our generation. It has changed the way we think, the way we perceive our neighbors, how we travel, and how we live our everyday lives.  How can you live a life free of fear?
3) Many of those who witnessed the attacks, even on television, have suffered a traumatic reaction. What is Post Traumatic Stress and how can it be treated?

As we embark on this emotional week, let's reflect, remember, and learn. I hope you will follow my blog this week and that you find something helpful in it.  As always, if you or someone you know needs help, ASK A PSYCHOLOGIST.

The Psychology of Politics

"All people are born alike - except Republicans and Democrats" - Groucho Marx

The Facebook question was simple enough: Are you watching the State of the Union address tonight? Tell us what you think of the president's speech? What followed in the Comments was an interesting combination of political banter from many of the readers. Few of them actually answered the question. Inevitably, the insults were hurled and names were called. As I read the postings with some level of detached amusement, I began to wonder: How do our political beliefs develop? Is it as simple as socio-economic status, or following the politics of our parents?


As I considered this topic, and began to look around for answers, I found some surprising, funny and interesting research and information. Here I will make a disclaimer: People are individuals, and the information is meant for amusement (although it is based in research) and food for thought; it is not meant to diagnose, classify, categorize or judge anyone. I decided to post this blog to try to lighten the political mood, and give people a chuckle. When it comes to politics, we sometimes take ourselves too seriously, and we are in serious need of some levity....

Here are some highlights of interesting tidbits I found about Liberals and Conservatives....

1. People who tend to lean to the left or to the right have actual differences in their temperament.
2. Conservatives and liberals actually have different home and office decor
3. Conservatives are neater, more organized and more conventional.
4. Liberals are messier, have more color and display maps and flags from around the world.
5. Liberals have more books, and like to read.
6. Conservatives are more likely to be religious.
7. Liberals are more likely to listen to classical and jazz music, while conservatives are more likely to enjoy country.
8. Conservatives tend to think about things, and liberals tend to use feelings to make decisions.

It's important to realize that people tend to read articles, blogs and watch news channels that support their ALREADY FORMED OPINIONS. Taking in these outlets does not generally sway someones beliefs, but merely reinforces their opinions. In general, people's political views tend to be based on several factors, such as how educated, how dangerous we perceive the world to be, and personality traits that are first seen when we are young children. Furthermore, it seems that FEAR is one of the strongest motivators. Following 9/11, there was a shift toward conservatism, and people were comforted by those ideals, the simplicity of right and wrong, black and white, and the need for clear answers.

What's clear to me, was what the President said in his speech.  We may fight and argue, but none of us would ever have it any other way. At least in our country we have the ability to disagree. In many countries, they do not have the freedom to choose, to vote or to have a voice. At the end of the day, I am still proud to be an American, because in America, I can write this blog.

If you are conflicted about your political leanings, need help organizing your life, or are afraid...ASK A PSYCHOLOGIST (Didn't think I was going to leave that out, did you?).

For more information about the above blog and the research it contains about The Psychology of Politics, please click here:
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Sci/sci.med.psychobiology/2008-09/msg00070.html

Counseling Corner: My country can beat your country....how Independence Day, 9/11 and the World Cup brings us together.

USA! USA! USA!   The crowd chants, flags are flying, faces painted red, white and blue - the hope of a nation rests on the USA Soccer team....People line the street, decked out their red-white and blue, an elderly man marches proudly, a War World I Veteran, whose original Navy crackerjack blues still seem to fit after all these years.  The crowd stands in honor and applauds heartily, thanking him for his service to our nation......

In OUR town, the 4th of July parade is a local staple. Even thinking back to when I was a kid, and lived in a neighboring town, people from all around came to High Street in Pottstown, PA, to watch the parade, wave their flags, and show their pride in the USA. This annual tradition varies very little from year to year, but holds profound meaning for those who attend. The festivities are capped off with a very nice fireworks display, signifying "the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air". We feel pride, excitement and hope when we participate in this yearly ritual. I often shed a tear or two, especially when I see the war veterans in the parade and hear the bagpipes.  We fight the crowds, walk a mile, sometimes in the rain - uphill BOTH WAYS - but it is soooo worth it.

As my husband and I walked among the crowd this morning at the parade, I felt that familiar sense of pride, and a kinship with hundreds of people I do not know.  We are there for one reason - to celebrate our country's independence, to remind ourselves that we are a community, and to pass these traditions on to our children.  We remember that we are allowed to have such a parade because many gave their lives. we should not take this for granted. 

This morning, we took many photographs, to commemorate this day, and I have included several through this blog. The parade was fairly typical, the countless fire companies who participate (THANK YOU, FIREMEN!!), the Little League, and the giant duck, the steam calliope...the parade is predictable and provides a sense of continuity and safety. We know what to expect and we love it. It is OUR parade.

Today is about pride, and it is also about patriotism.  Patriotism is defined in Webster's Online Dictionary as "love or devotion for one's country". Michael J. Bader in his article "The Psychology of Patriotism" (http://www.democraticdialogue.com/DDpdfs/PDKBader.pdf) states that "Patriotism can be a force for good or for evil".  When I think about patriotism, I also reflect on other events as well...The World Cup, The Olympic Games, and the tragic events of 9/11.  These events bring us together as a nation, and we have a common sense of pride, belonging, and, especially in the case of 9/11, defensiveness. We have seen patriotism pull our nation together, as we did  in the days and weeks following 9/11/01. We have also seen the patriotism of other nations turn evil, as we witnessed the planes hitting the twin towers or in the case of Hitler in Nazi Germany.

But why patriotism and how does it work? Abraham Maslow defined a "hierarchy of needs", which included physiological needs, safety needs, need for belonging, esteem needs, and self-actualization.  Our safety needs and our need for belonging cause us to want to defend ourselves, our families, and ultimately, our country, and we do this in groups...parades, parties, vigils, or marches, because we need to feel a kinship with other like-minded individuals. Bader compares this patriotism to a family. We need to feel that sense of attachment and we also project our need for parental authority.  This was best seen through the Hurricane Katrina disaster, when people looked to their government for answers and assistance. Through patriotism, we have a sense of "we" that combats the isolation and loneliness that is so common in our modern society.

One aspect of Independence Day that we sometimes forget in the midst of all the parades, barbecues and fireworks, are the men and women who are serving in the armed forces around the world, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can "let freedom ring", and the families who are left behind. The American Psychological Association discusses important aspects of this on their website (http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/military-support.aspx). I have been a military spouse myself, and know firsthand the loneliness that can often arise on a day such as the Fourth of July.  My step-son is currently serving in Japan, and my son-in-law spent most of 2009 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  To both of these young men in my life, and the thousands I do not know, I thank you. Because of you, I am flying my flag proudly today.

*Photos by Michael Herrigel