Norman M. Brown and Marsha Hudson Introduction: Intelligence, love, aggression and men and women vis-à-vis the earth. Evolutionary theory postulates that any species may face an existential crisis if its relation to its environment becomes untenable for any reason. Our
Emotional Maturity and Planetary Sustainability
Adapted from a sermon at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz, Oct. 9, 2022 Introduction. Evolutionary theory postulates that any species may face an existential crisis if its relation to its environment becomes untenable for any reason. Our species,
1. Distress is Necessary for Stabilizing Love & Expanding Human Potential.
Adapted from Silvan Tomkins Affect, Imagery, Consciousness v1, p316f (New York, Springer, 2008). Distress is Necessary for Stabilizing & Developing What We Love What a person will be distressed about depends in part, but only in part, on what s/he
4. Research on Shame when Triggered by Disrupted Relations
The popular conception of shame in America is a onsesided version of 1990s TV host John Bradshaw’s “toxic shame.” This translates a shame moment signaling I have done something bad into a character flaw: I am bad. But already in
3. Shame’s Role in Character Building and Conflict. Avoidance and Attack-Other.
By Norman M. Brown, Ph.D. This the third in the series, Shame is Especially Useful. To make good use of this novel approach to relationships the other two blogs are essential. Blog 2 mapped the compass of shame: four clusters
2. Undoing the Damage of Shame. Withdrawal and Attack-Self.
By Norman M. Brown, Ph.D. Before attempting this novel approach to shame, please read my first contribution, All Emotions are Beneficial. Shame is especially Useful. For this previous blog will turn many of our normal conceptions upside down. How we
All Emotions are Beneficial. Shame is Especially Useful.
Shame is Inborn Darwin taught that all inborn emotions are designed to promote the survival and success of each species. So how can shame be good for us when it feels so bad that many of us avoid it like
7. Women’s Developmental Advantage through Shame: What about Men?
We have presented a case for women’s development of managerial competence in the business world previously dominated by men. Now we turn to the benefits of shame for powering individual development, where women also may have a biological advantage. Self-doubt
6. Women and Shame: Insecurity or Energy for Improvement at Work?
As a personal therapist I often hear from women in all walks of life that they can’t keep from doubting themselves now and then. Their self-esteem is often fragile, no matter how successful and well-paid they are in their careers.
5. Further Shame Research, from Toddlers to Computers and Adults
A videotape study of toddlers (1.5-3 years old) at play in a New York preschool1 showed significant differences in boys’ and girls’ relating with their mothers who were watching them. These difference prefigure some of the typical adult sex differences