s05e119 | The Psychology of Victimhood, with Jaco van Zyl
Aug 26, 2023
auto_awesome
Jaco van Zyl, Clinical Psychologist and South African expat to Ireland, discusses the transition from dignity culture to victim culture, the impact of victimhood on society, the concept of 'too good mothering', the power of guilt and dangers of privilege, society's permissiveness, and the influence of critical social justice on therapy.
The shift from a culture of dignity to a culture of victimhood promotes fragility and an overreliance on external institutions.
Trauma, if not processed and resolved adequately, can manifest as complex PTSD, but there is an overemphasis on labeling any discomfort as traumatic.
Society's over-mothering and lack of demand for personal restraint have led to a decline in personal conscience and accountability, highlighting the importance of a balanced approach rooted in history and gratitude.
Deep dives
The shift from dignity culture to victim culture
The podcast episode explores the shift from a culture of dignity to a culture of victimhood, particularly in relation to Critical Social Justice and Wokeness. It discusses how the victim culture promotes a sense of fragility, entitlement, and constant reliance on external institutions to fight personal battles. This shift is seen as a result of various factors, including prosperity, the redundancy of strong authority figures, and the over-mothering of society. The episode also highlights the dangers of this victim culture and its potential impact on personal and social well-being.
Complex PTSD and the obsession with trauma
Another major topic in the podcast episode is the concept of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its relationship to trauma. The episode highlights the idea that trauma, if not processed and resolved adequately, can become generalized and manifest as complex PTSD. However, it also raises concerns about the tendency in society to label any form of discomfort or extended hardship as traumatic. The episode suggests that while complex PTSD can be a helpful concept, there is a need to balance its recognition with an awareness of the societal obsession with trauma and victimhood.
The role of the paternal function and values in society
The episode delves into the importance of the paternal function in society and the role of values in shaping individual and collective behavior. It discusses how society's over-mothering, excessive tolerance, and lack of demand for personal restraint have led to a decline in personal conscience and accountability. It also explores the need for a balanced approach that values both the maternal function (nurturing, compassion) and the paternal function (challenging, confronting reality) to foster resilience and growth. The episode emphasizes the significance of a societal shift towards values rooted in history, gratitude, and a better cause-and-effect narrative.
The Consequences of Artificially Induced Diseases
The podcast explores the notion that excessive availability of certain resources, such as food, internet, sex, and social media, can lead to the development of unnecessary and artificially induced diseases. Rather than banning or restricting access to these resources, the focus should be on teaching people to use their agency and introduce greater scarcity intentionally. The speaker emphasizes that society is prosperous enough to afford indulgences, but highlights the reactiveness of people in seeking solutions like bariatric surgery or psychotherapy without addressing the root causes.
The Power and Pitfalls of Guilt
The discussion delves into the significance of guilt as a tool for personal growth and development. While guilt can be helpful in building character and encouraging self-improvement, it is also recognized as a potential lever for manipulation. The speaker shares a personal experience of resisting discussions about privilege and guilt, emphasizing the importance of not handing over guilt and shame to others. They highlight the distinction between condemnatory guilt that destroys and repairatory guilt that allows for forgiveness and reconciliation. The conversation touches on the shifting meanings of privilege and the need for gratitude and generosity.
