Post by paola on May 19, 2016 4:56:10 GMT
The article “The Everyday Psychology of Nationalism” (2014), authored by Monica Kim, explores the extensive history and psychology behind the concept of nationalism. The article begins with an excerpt from the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna lost to the less experienced Russian skater Adeline Sotnikova. South Korea and its people - who are known to have a strong sense of pride - were outraged by the result and filed a petition against the decision. In approximately 12 hours, the petition included more than 1.2 million signatures. Outsiders were confused at South Korea’s reaction, telling its people to “calm down” and to just “deal with it”. What these outsiders failed to realize and understand was that this sports scandal involved the complex nature and depth of one’s nationalistic feelings. The article transitions to pointing out the distinct roots of nationalism, highlighting that nationalistic sentiments arise from two sources: attachment and identity.
Jean Piaget suggested that as we go through cognitive development, we as individuals build attachments (to things, to people) in order to fulfil our basic needs. This theory can be applied to a group level: if things are done successfully and fulfilled by a group (i.e. a country), then its people are infused with a sense of security - “a feeling of belonging, and prestige”. Renowned psychologists Freud and Maslow theorized that the need to belong is a fundamental human motivation; national attachment can fulfil such a need for people and thus help one construct his or her identity.
The article also mentions that a group’s status can also influence one’s own status. For example, viewing your own country as superior to others can make you feel like you’re superior to others. Many people use nationalism as a way of increasing one’s own self-esteem - because it works. And of course, nationalism can be used to unify a nation, regardless of differences among gender, class, or political views. South Korea is a patriotic nation - and a lot of that nationalism comes from its sports, which is why Yuna’s loss was so devastating to the people.
On a different note, nationalism has the power to destruct. As we’ve seen in history, nationalism creates competition and animosity between nations, which can often lead to wars. The most common example to illustrate such is World War I. One of the many causes of this war was the growth of nationalism among European nations. Another consequence of nationalism is that it can lead to extreme movements. A classic example of such is the movement of Nazism. Hitler’s overwhelming sense of pride for Germany made people feel the same way toward Germany - that it was the best, the most powerful country in the world.
With that being said, would you say that you’ve experienced the psychological effects of nationalism? What else can nationalism lead to (both negatives and positives)? Can you think of any specific examples that illustrate this consequence?
Jean Piaget suggested that as we go through cognitive development, we as individuals build attachments (to things, to people) in order to fulfil our basic needs. This theory can be applied to a group level: if things are done successfully and fulfilled by a group (i.e. a country), then its people are infused with a sense of security - “a feeling of belonging, and prestige”. Renowned psychologists Freud and Maslow theorized that the need to belong is a fundamental human motivation; national attachment can fulfil such a need for people and thus help one construct his or her identity.
The article also mentions that a group’s status can also influence one’s own status. For example, viewing your own country as superior to others can make you feel like you’re superior to others. Many people use nationalism as a way of increasing one’s own self-esteem - because it works. And of course, nationalism can be used to unify a nation, regardless of differences among gender, class, or political views. South Korea is a patriotic nation - and a lot of that nationalism comes from its sports, which is why Yuna’s loss was so devastating to the people.
On a different note, nationalism has the power to destruct. As we’ve seen in history, nationalism creates competition and animosity between nations, which can often lead to wars. The most common example to illustrate such is World War I. One of the many causes of this war was the growth of nationalism among European nations. Another consequence of nationalism is that it can lead to extreme movements. A classic example of such is the movement of Nazism. Hitler’s overwhelming sense of pride for Germany made people feel the same way toward Germany - that it was the best, the most powerful country in the world.
With that being said, would you say that you’ve experienced the psychological effects of nationalism? What else can nationalism lead to (both negatives and positives)? Can you think of any specific examples that illustrate this consequence?