The Journal of Primat 3, Prevenlion, [:ol. 12, No. 3, 1992
I n t r o d u c t i o n to the I s s u e Donald
C. K l e i n 1
On April 28, 1989 on tile occasion of the Twelfth Annual Erich Lindemann Memorial Lecture at the Hatward Medical School in Boston I gave a talk entitled "Tile Humiliation Dynamic." At that time I presented preliminary findings fron3 studies I had been conducting of thc cffccts of scorn and degradation on the lives of individuals and on the functioning of larger human systems. When T o m Gullotta, Editor of The Jol~rnal ~4"t'rimaty Preve/zlio~z, read the manuscript of the talk, he invited me to put together a special issuc of the publication devoted to how a better understanding of the nature and effects of the Htuniliation Dynamic might contribute to thc work of prevention and promotion in the mental health and ,elated fields. This issue derives its inspiration from Erich Lindemann's pioneering work in the field of preventive psychiatry. It's my pleasure to dedicate this issue to his memory and, by so doing, to acknowledge his many conceptual and practical contributions to work that goes on today and the continuing inspiration I draw from the ten years in which 1 worked under his guidance in the Wellesley Project and at the Massachussets G e n e r a l Hospital, Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Medical School. Lindemann brought certain important personal qualities to his relationships with colleagues, students, and community leaders, qualities that are relevant to the topic of this issue. In these relationships as well as in his thinking about studies to be carried out and interventions to be undertaken, he consistently emphasized hope, not despair, and health, not pathology. His respect for e v e r y o n e ' s c o n t r i b u t i o n was unwavering. In retrospect, 1 now understand that he never I in even tile most minor way - - i n f l i c t e d disparagement on anyone with whom he workcd, whether or IDonald C. Klein is affiliated with the Gradualc School of The Union lnstilutc, Cincinnati, OH. Address correspondence and rcprin( rcquesls Io: 4730 Shcppard Lane, Ellicotl Chy, MD 21042. 189 ({5 ]~P)2 }{UIllall ~ClClIC'.'~, Prc~,!,, hie.
190
Klein
not they enjoyed prestige in the field or held a position way down in the pecking order of the institution or the community. Just as today we speak of "drug free zones" around our public schools, Lindemann created humiliation-free zones in those social systems over which, by authority or example, he had significant influence. Although 1 don't recall him ever talking about humiliation explicitly, m his behavior he evidenced on exquisite sensitivity to the destructive, pathogenic nature of the Humiliation Dynamic. 1 am personally excited about having been given the opportunity in this two-part special issue to introduce the subject of humiliation to colleagues who are committed to prevention of emotional disease and promotion of psychological well-being among target groups in the population-at-large. Having immersed myself in explorations of the Humiliation Dynamic for three years, l'm by now convinced that this dynamic is one of the most important, albeit unnamed and generally t, nrecognized, villains with which we must grapple. An important objective of this special i s s u e - perhaps t/rc mOSt important objective - - i s to encourage us all to break the remarkable ccm.~7~irac)' q/.vilcncu about this important force in oul lives. My search of the literature reveals that, with rate exceptions, humiliation has been neglected in the writings of leading personality theorists. The most notable exception l've discovered so far is Karen l torney, who emphasized the important part played by humiliation ira the "basic anxiety" experienced by so nl:rny of the women who were her patients (Westkotl, 19,'q6). Humiliation derives great power from the fact that it is unacknowledged. By naming and discussing it, we acknowledge the fact that we do experience humiliation, that both deliberalely and inadvertently we humiliate others, that the experience is well-nigh universal, and that we fear having humiliation inflicted upon us. By doing so, wc take the first step towards de-potentiating the dynamic, enabling us to make choices about whether, when, and how to use and respond to this dynamic. For- reasons having primarily to do with page limits and other publishing requirements, the issue is divided into two parts, each under separate cover. PART ONE (Volume 12, No. 2, 1991) comprise two sections:
SECTION ONE: T I l E i l U M I L I A T I O N 1)YNAMIC Section One consisted of a single i n | r o d u c t o r y article a d a p t e d from the 19~9 Lindemann memorial tecture. Written from a person-h> e n v i r o n m e m ratller than intra-psychic perspective, it laid the ground-
I n t r o d u c t i o n to P a r t II
191
work for what follows by setting forth some general p a r a m e t e r s of the topic, including what people experience and how they react when they feel humiliated. It discussed ways in which our society is humiliationp r o n e a n d e m p h a s i z e d the u b i q u i t o u s n a t u r e of the l t u m i l i a t i o n Dynamic in every-day life. It also addressed some of the p s y c h o p a t h o h > gies in which humiliation or the fear of humiliation play a significant part.
SECTION TWO: T I I O S E AT RISK OF I I U M I L I A T I O N Section Two addressed way, in which tile t tumiliation Dynamic affects tile lives of different tmmiliation-prone groups in our society,. Each of the three articles in this section was prepared by :m expert in dealing \vith a particular group at risk. Each author was asked to read rny 1c)•9 presentation and to respond in terms of his or hcr own specialized professional knowledge and personal experience with how the t lunliliaiion l)yn:unic ,ilL fects the group in question. In her p a p e r entitled "Some Issues in I n t e r - G e n d e r t lunliliation" Carolyn Swift, comnlunity psychologisi wittn experlise in w o m e n ' s studies and gender relationships, discussed the part played by humiliation in the lives of both women and men. t lcr p a p e r :iddressed tile importance of eliminating power inequities that contribute to inter-gender humiliations. Applied Behavioral Scientist Jean Griffin in a paper entitled "'Racism and Humiliation in the African-American Community" examined the relationship between the humiliation dynamic and three forms of racism: individual, institutional, and cultural. Griffin ended her paper with specific suggestions for how helping p r o f e s s i o n a l s - individually, institutionally, and c u l t u r a l l y - - c a n address the task of reducing hulniliations based on racism or other malevolent forces. Philosopher-social activist Hal Kirsclnbaum in his paper on "Disability and Humiliation" described how disabled people have banded together to cope with humiliations imposed by able-bodied people and, so doing, reminded us that if one lives long enough, one is bound to join the ranks of those who are "differently abled." The paper is written from three vantage points: (1) that of a family therapist who works with those dealing with physical and emotional disabilities, (2) that of a social activist who is involved in efforts to empower those who are disabled to realize their fullest potentials, and (3) that of one who speaks from his own personal experience of coping with a partially disabling physical condition.
192
Klein
PART 't~,VO (Volume 13, No. 1) also con]prises two sections:
SECTION TtlREE: SYSTEMICAI.LY RELATED t l U M I L I A T I O N Section Three includes two papers having to do with the impact of humiliation on those at risk within the framework of the social systems and arrangements in which their lives are embedded. Gerontologist Lori Secouler focusses on " O u r Elders: At High Risk for Humiliation" in a paper that explores how our views of the aging process and prejudicial ways in which elderly people are treated contribute to the humiliations experienced by "senior citizens." After a brief historical review of attitudes towards old age in the United States, she examines "'ageism'" and the potential for hulniliation that is inherent in the social and physical losses associated with the aging process. She makes a case for changing the existing medical model of aging and advocates institutional changes in hospital and nursing homes, as well as increased use of support groups and emphasis on use of retired seniors as volunteers. Criminologist J. Steven Smith concludes the section with a paper entitled "Humiliation, Degradation and the Criminal Justice System" that takes a macro-systemic look at how the Humiliation Dynamic pei~,ades the various COml)onel]tS of the criminal justice system. His thesis is that the criminal justice system it] all its facets attempts to reinfo,ce the rules for acceptable behaviors by hul]liliating both offenders and those suspected of unlawful acts. By so doing, however, the syslem often increases misbehavior by furthe, alienating offenders and pushing them further into more serious c,iminal activity.
SECTION FOUR: DEALING WITll t l U M I L I A T I O N , INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY In tile final section three papers offer widely differing, although not always contradictory, perspectives on what to do about humiliation. The first, "Transcending Humiliation: An Ancient Perspective," was written by psychologist Patrick J. Barrett and psychiatrist James S. Brooks. Based on their familiarity with ancient Ayurvedic teachings, it raises the possibility of transcending the Humiliation Dynamic through techniques that develop the experience of higher states of consciousness. In the second paper, "Superfluous People in T o m o , r o w ' s Society," psychiatrist-planner Leonard Duhl, a pioneer explorer and stimulator
Introduction to Part ii
193
of frontier thinking in the c o m m u n i t y mental health field, looks to a future in which our society and humankind generally make crcative use of the increasing proportion of redundant people in the world who, for all practical p u r p o s e s of survival of the species, can be c o n s i d e r e d "superfluous." In the closing paper on "Managing t tumiliation," I present findings from nay study concerning ways that people have found to minimize or avoid humiliation and raise the challenge of how to address the task of creating humiliation-free institutions. In addition to breaking new ground, 1 hope that this two-part issue will stimulate its readers to examine personal and professional exl)eriences from the perspective of the Humiliation l)ynamic and that they will gain new insights and fresh understandings from doing so. My study of humiliation and the fear of humiliation is ongoing. Readers' comments, suggestions, and accounts of relevant experiences will be welcomed.
REFERENCE Westkoll, M. (1986). T h e FeminLv! t:el;a< 3 ' ()JI ~l]~J]~ 11~Jll]~(3 `" New l lavcn, C'I': Ynlc Un[vcrshy Press.
I n t r o d u c t i o n to the I s s u e Donald
C. K l e i n 1
On April 28, 1989 on tile occasion of the Twelfth Annual Erich Lindemann Memorial Lecture at the Hatward Medical School in Boston I gave a talk entitled "Tile Humiliation Dynamic." At that time I presented preliminary findings fron3 studies I had been conducting of thc cffccts of scorn and degradation on the lives of individuals and on the functioning of larger human systems. When T o m Gullotta, Editor of The Jol~rnal ~4"t'rimaty Preve/zlio~z, read the manuscript of the talk, he invited me to put together a special issuc of the publication devoted to how a better understanding of the nature and effects of the Htuniliation Dynamic might contribute to thc work of prevention and promotion in the mental health and ,elated fields. This issue derives its inspiration from Erich Lindemann's pioneering work in the field of preventive psychiatry. It's my pleasure to dedicate this issue to his memory and, by so doing, to acknowledge his many conceptual and practical contributions to work that goes on today and the continuing inspiration I draw from the ten years in which 1 worked under his guidance in the Wellesley Project and at the Massachussets G e n e r a l Hospital, Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Medical School. Lindemann brought certain important personal qualities to his relationships with colleagues, students, and community leaders, qualities that are relevant to the topic of this issue. In these relationships as well as in his thinking about studies to be carried out and interventions to be undertaken, he consistently emphasized hope, not despair, and health, not pathology. His respect for e v e r y o n e ' s c o n t r i b u t i o n was unwavering. In retrospect, 1 now understand that he never I in even tile most minor way - - i n f l i c t e d disparagement on anyone with whom he workcd, whether or IDonald C. Klein is affiliated with the Gradualc School of The Union lnstilutc, Cincinnati, OH. Address correspondence and rcprin( rcquesls Io: 4730 Shcppard Lane, Ellicotl Chy, MD 21042. 189 ({5 ]~P)2 }{UIllall ~ClClIC'.'~, Prc~,!,, hie.
190
Klein
not they enjoyed prestige in the field or held a position way down in the pecking order of the institution or the community. Just as today we speak of "drug free zones" around our public schools, Lindemann created humiliation-free zones in those social systems over which, by authority or example, he had significant influence. Although 1 don't recall him ever talking about humiliation explicitly, m his behavior he evidenced on exquisite sensitivity to the destructive, pathogenic nature of the Humiliation Dynamic. 1 am personally excited about having been given the opportunity in this two-part special issue to introduce the subject of humiliation to colleagues who are committed to prevention of emotional disease and promotion of psychological well-being among target groups in the population-at-large. Having immersed myself in explorations of the Humiliation Dynamic for three years, l'm by now convinced that this dynamic is one of the most important, albeit unnamed and generally t, nrecognized, villains with which we must grapple. An important objective of this special i s s u e - perhaps t/rc mOSt important objective - - i s to encourage us all to break the remarkable ccm.~7~irac)' q/.vilcncu about this important force in oul lives. My search of the literature reveals that, with rate exceptions, humiliation has been neglected in the writings of leading personality theorists. The most notable exception l've discovered so far is Karen l torney, who emphasized the important part played by humiliation ira the "basic anxiety" experienced by so nl:rny of the women who were her patients (Westkotl, 19,'q6). Humiliation derives great power from the fact that it is unacknowledged. By naming and discussing it, we acknowledge the fact that we do experience humiliation, that both deliberalely and inadvertently we humiliate others, that the experience is well-nigh universal, and that we fear having humiliation inflicted upon us. By doing so, wc take the first step towards de-potentiating the dynamic, enabling us to make choices about whether, when, and how to use and respond to this dynamic. For- reasons having primarily to do with page limits and other publishing requirements, the issue is divided into two parts, each under separate cover. PART ONE (Volume 12, No. 2, 1991) comprise two sections:
SECTION ONE: T I l E i l U M I L I A T I O N 1)YNAMIC Section One consisted of a single i n | r o d u c t o r y article a d a p t e d from the 19~9 Lindemann memorial tecture. Written from a person-h> e n v i r o n m e m ratller than intra-psychic perspective, it laid the ground-
I n t r o d u c t i o n to P a r t II
191
work for what follows by setting forth some general p a r a m e t e r s of the topic, including what people experience and how they react when they feel humiliated. It discussed ways in which our society is humiliationp r o n e a n d e m p h a s i z e d the u b i q u i t o u s n a t u r e of the l t u m i l i a t i o n Dynamic in every-day life. It also addressed some of the p s y c h o p a t h o h > gies in which humiliation or the fear of humiliation play a significant part.
SECTION TWO: T I I O S E AT RISK OF I I U M I L I A T I O N Section Two addressed way, in which tile t tumiliation Dynamic affects tile lives of different tmmiliation-prone groups in our society,. Each of the three articles in this section was prepared by :m expert in dealing \vith a particular group at risk. Each author was asked to read rny 1c)•9 presentation and to respond in terms of his or hcr own specialized professional knowledge and personal experience with how the t lunliliaiion l)yn:unic ,ilL fects the group in question. In her p a p e r entitled "Some Issues in I n t e r - G e n d e r t lunliliation" Carolyn Swift, comnlunity psychologisi wittn experlise in w o m e n ' s studies and gender relationships, discussed the part played by humiliation in the lives of both women and men. t lcr p a p e r :iddressed tile importance of eliminating power inequities that contribute to inter-gender humiliations. Applied Behavioral Scientist Jean Griffin in a paper entitled "'Racism and Humiliation in the African-American Community" examined the relationship between the humiliation dynamic and three forms of racism: individual, institutional, and cultural. Griffin ended her paper with specific suggestions for how helping p r o f e s s i o n a l s - individually, institutionally, and c u l t u r a l l y - - c a n address the task of reducing hulniliations based on racism or other malevolent forces. Philosopher-social activist Hal Kirsclnbaum in his paper on "Disability and Humiliation" described how disabled people have banded together to cope with humiliations imposed by able-bodied people and, so doing, reminded us that if one lives long enough, one is bound to join the ranks of those who are "differently abled." The paper is written from three vantage points: (1) that of a family therapist who works with those dealing with physical and emotional disabilities, (2) that of a social activist who is involved in efforts to empower those who are disabled to realize their fullest potentials, and (3) that of one who speaks from his own personal experience of coping with a partially disabling physical condition.
192
Klein
PART 't~,VO (Volume 13, No. 1) also con]prises two sections:
SECTION TtlREE: SYSTEMICAI.LY RELATED t l U M I L I A T I O N Section Three includes two papers having to do with the impact of humiliation on those at risk within the framework of the social systems and arrangements in which their lives are embedded. Gerontologist Lori Secouler focusses on " O u r Elders: At High Risk for Humiliation" in a paper that explores how our views of the aging process and prejudicial ways in which elderly people are treated contribute to the humiliations experienced by "senior citizens." After a brief historical review of attitudes towards old age in the United States, she examines "'ageism'" and the potential for hulniliation that is inherent in the social and physical losses associated with the aging process. She makes a case for changing the existing medical model of aging and advocates institutional changes in hospital and nursing homes, as well as increased use of support groups and emphasis on use of retired seniors as volunteers. Criminologist J. Steven Smith concludes the section with a paper entitled "Humiliation, Degradation and the Criminal Justice System" that takes a macro-systemic look at how the Humiliation Dynamic pei~,ades the various COml)onel]tS of the criminal justice system. His thesis is that the criminal justice system it] all its facets attempts to reinfo,ce the rules for acceptable behaviors by hul]liliating both offenders and those suspected of unlawful acts. By so doing, however, the syslem often increases misbehavior by furthe, alienating offenders and pushing them further into more serious c,iminal activity.
SECTION FOUR: DEALING WITll t l U M I L I A T I O N , INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY In tile final section three papers offer widely differing, although not always contradictory, perspectives on what to do about humiliation. The first, "Transcending Humiliation: An Ancient Perspective," was written by psychologist Patrick J. Barrett and psychiatrist James S. Brooks. Based on their familiarity with ancient Ayurvedic teachings, it raises the possibility of transcending the Humiliation Dynamic through techniques that develop the experience of higher states of consciousness. In the second paper, "Superfluous People in T o m o , r o w ' s Society," psychiatrist-planner Leonard Duhl, a pioneer explorer and stimulator
Introduction to Part ii
193
of frontier thinking in the c o m m u n i t y mental health field, looks to a future in which our society and humankind generally make crcative use of the increasing proportion of redundant people in the world who, for all practical p u r p o s e s of survival of the species, can be c o n s i d e r e d "superfluous." In the closing paper on "Managing t tumiliation," I present findings from nay study concerning ways that people have found to minimize or avoid humiliation and raise the challenge of how to address the task of creating humiliation-free institutions. In addition to breaking new ground, 1 hope that this two-part issue will stimulate its readers to examine personal and professional exl)eriences from the perspective of the Humiliation l)ynamic and that they will gain new insights and fresh understandings from doing so. My study of humiliation and the fear of humiliation is ongoing. Readers' comments, suggestions, and accounts of relevant experiences will be welcomed.
REFERENCE Westkoll, M. (1986). T h e FeminLv! t:el;a< 3 ' ()JI ~l]~J]~ 11~Jll]~(3 `" New l lavcn, C'I': Ynlc Un[vcrshy Press.
