Human Nature of a Schizophrenic

Background

This account of the human nature for schizophrenics (previously known as idiots) does not claim to be complete or correct in every detail. The purpose has been to try to find the foundation of our personality. That is what all humans have in common. I have used introspection to do this and it started as a top down process, but developed to become a bottom up process. For some behaviours I have used strictly observations to determine their existence. My conclusion is that human nature can be divided into four distinct levels, instincts, emotions, ego needs, and philosophical insight.

Instincts

Instincts are the lowest level from where one can organize higher behaviours. It is my stand point that all higher organisms including man’s behaviour has it roots in instincts.

Emotions

This level has developed with the purpose to enhance our capacity for survival. Complex learning becomes possibel through operant conditioning. This means that emotions function as a reward for behaviours that gives gratification to the instinct it is paired with. Emotions stop functioning as reward as soon as the desired behaviour has been established. This is also valid for more complex emotions such as dignity and love. Anxiety is used to indicate that the instinct is not being satisfied. This forces the development of ego needs as the environment changes. One could say anxiety is the result of a changing society and that Nature use anxiety to kick mankind along. Anxiety also forces evolution on the brain as a physical organ.

Ego Needs

This level has a similar appearence as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The major difference is that I conclude there is a self-realization for each ego need. This view adds much more complexity to the human nature. It also puts focus in how many areas we as humans can grow and develop our approach to life. Free will exist on this level due to the fact that we are not able to take into account the effect of unconscious input into our decision making. Learning is accomplished through operant conditioning and modeling, with emotions serving as positive or negative reinforcement. I have split this level up in three different sub-levels, need for security, need for appreciation, and self-realization. The expression of the instinct and the relevant emotions decline as one moves upwards towards self-realization. It should be noted that ego needs is the sublimation of instincts. To move upwards in ego needs the instinct must not be easily satisfied, that is anxiety forces development on us, or we cognitively learn a more mature way to satisfy the instinct. If a person to easily satisfy their needs the development of those needs will be arrested. The drive to go forward is the need for the instinct to express itself.

On the lowest level of ego needs, need for security, one can approach life in two different ways. These two approaches are opposites, and how you start life will influence your way of approaching life in general. From this we understand how important childhood is for us since that’s mainly when we have the biggest need for security and exist mainly on this level.

Philosphical Insight

On this level emotions have ceased to function as reinforcement. There is no need and consequentley no drive. The insight itself is enough. This final step is strictly an intellectual exercise. Moral philosophie seems to be the most valuable insight, since it will give piece of mind. This view was established by Socrates with whom I am in complete agreement. To reach this level one should live a life in moderation, be accountable, have self discipline, and respect for all living creatures. To see an outline of the human nature see the table below. That which is written in the squares of the table is an idea of the model that the unconscious works with.

An Unconscious Entity

We need to look closer at the instinct to kill for practise. First we should notice that this instinct is not present in the schizophrenic. As can be seen from the table it is listed twice. . This is because the emotional reward from sensual pleasure is so great that it needs an opposite pole to balance it, self-hatred.

Self-hatred is such a negative feeling that it is not acceptabel. This means a defense mechanism will act. In this case it is repression. This happens according to my observations between two and three years of age. The repressed self-hatred lies as a gravitational centre in the unconscious. The unconscious thoughts are drawn in and bent around this centre. Our instincts that are sublimated to needs in the unconscious are bent (distorted) by the centre, hence our inability to satisfy our needs. Since the needs are distortions of the underlying instincts it becomes impossible to achieve need satisfaction. This is the reason why we create new needs in the hunt for lasting well-being. This inability to identify our needs correctly put us in a constant search to satisfy ourselves with different substitutes. This is the foundation for progress as we know it.

When the emotion of self-hatred is experienced it is rationalised to be hatred and projected onto someone. Envy is also a misinterpretation of a minor case of self-hatred, connected with a sense of inferiority or superiority.

How The Balance Work

The more a person pursue behaviour considered as evil, that is manipulation and control in order to satisfy the instinct. The more the unconscious entity of self-hatred will grow. This means the gravitational force will increase and the ability to achieve need satisfaction becomes more or less impossible. This expresses itself as a displeasure with life in general, and finally the only way to feel good is to manipulate and control.

Conscience

The conscience is a collection of data suggesting a proper behaviour and as such it is the precursor to the idea of morality. It might be a combination of norms and rules and sympathy and empathy. When it turns into morality every decision we take is evaluated against these models. These models suggest a compromise solution in order to satisfy two instincts. By using these models we are rewarded with dignity, both literally and emotionally. Having a back pain is a clue to you that you are doing something that is not in agreement with your idea of morality. What happens is that psychic energy is channelled to other parts of the mind/body. To have morality means to always behave the way your conscience suggests.