The State of the Union address Tuesday was amazing! Because it showed, without a doubt in my mind, two distinct personality structures. Let’s get into it.
The Speech
that President Trump gave was great! As was his delivery and production. However, the Democrats, and liberals in general (not all) were dour and glum. If not down right furious.
Trump was, as is his nature, the “happy warrior”. Confident in his approach and beliefs. Confident in his stance and position, too. He recognized the heroics of Americans–athletes, soldiers, and everyday people. The speech was definitely a “look on the bright side” message. The Dems were all doom and gloom.
The above picture has gone viral on the Internet. It shows the glee of the happy warriors (the US Hockey teammates basking in the glory of victory), contrasted with a mask-wearing, fretful, (presumable liberal) person.
During the entire speech this was the case. Sour Democrats contrasted with cheering Republicans. Trump was ebullient. Yes, he exaggerated. He emphasized all the good things that he, and America, have accomplished. Ignored the bad. The ugly. That’s what confident people do. On the other end is insecurity, doubt, and worry. Pessimism. It is characterized by negative emotions. Or neuroticism.
Personality Structures
Personality structures can determine attitude, or one’s perspective regarding their outlook on life. Perhaps. Or is it the situation that shapes one’s personality and outlook on life? Is confidence and a positive perspective (the Bright Side) learned? or something one is born with? Can a person change their personality from doubtful, dour and fearful? to that of the “happy warrior”?
Trust me on this: Psychologists have never agreed on this. Social Psychologists tout the Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) and emphasize cognitive dissonance. This perspective says that the situation often dictates behavior, not the individual. Additionally, that people’s personality and behavior is not fixed, nor consistent across situations. In other words, you can’t determine what a person will do from one situation to another. In other words – there is no such thing as a confident person. Or, a bad person, for that matter. There are bad situations, such as poverty, which create bad behavior. Change the situation and the behavior will change. They’re not wrong.
Poppycock, says the Trait Psychologist. You are who you are. They’re not wrong.
The Cognitive Behaviorist will say that you can adjust your behavior to the appropriate action to optimize your chances of success in any given situation. I can tell you this, for sure – that’s not an easy thing to do. It takes intelligence, learning, and practice. Additionally, there’s no guarantee. And, they’re not wrong Just ask the hockey players.
What About God’s Plan
What about God’s plan? You can ask. And I’ll say, who’s god? Trump believes his god is the true god and is on his side. Moreover, he’s got proof. Remember Butler, Pennsylvania?
OMG I wish it were so! Because I know he, she, or it would be on my side. All I’d have to do is say yes, I believe in you, your will, not mine, will be done. And then – things will work out. However, that’s not the case. Sometimes, often even, bad things, very painful things, happen to good people. Why?
Well there are stories about that. Stories that can bring you comfort, even in the worst of situations. Ya just gotta believe. The Social Psychologist, Leon Festinger, might well have started the understanding of the logic of that with his famous study When prophecy fails (1956).
In Conclusion
I’ll just say, it’s complicated. Are liberals simply neurotic introverts unmasked now? Because of the Internet, social media, and smart phone? Doomed to be forever “stupid, smart people”? And Trump a forever confident, stable genius? Is it all going to work out in the end? Because God has a plan for all of us – each and everyone. And yes, folks, there is a Heaven and Hell.
Or was Abraham Lincoln correct? when he said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” (1858) Of course, we all (most?) now know what happened next–war. And Lincoln was assassinated for what he’d said and done–won the war, ended slavery, and united the nation. Under the law. However, not entirely in the hearts’ and minds’ of all the people. Which he also referenced brilliantly in his “fool the people” remarks.
Lincoln was, by most accounts, manic-depressive, or bi-polar. Born that way? or made that way by his formative years? He was a thinker, a writer, ambitious, and a great story teller. Furthermore, not a drinker, killer, or believer in God. He was a great man who changed history. In many ways, Trump might be the same. He is a great story teller. The State of the Union address Tuesday was amazing. Will it be enough to save the nation? Or are we headed for, again, war?