Destructive Behavior as a Threat to Safety

Destructiveness. Types of destructive behavior: addictive, antisocial, suicidal, conformist, narcissistic, fanatical, autistic. Addictive behavior and methods of prevention. The influence of family upbringing on the development of destructive behavior. Suicide and its types. Causes of increased risk of suicide. Psychological prevention of destructive behavior.

The high level of socio-psychological tension in Russian society has directly affected the behavioral patterns of both the child and adolescent population and the adult population. Today one can speak of a substantial decrease in the age at which children and adolescents become exposed to certain manifestations of "adult" subculture. For example, adolescents consume low-alcohol beverages just as often as non-alcoholic ones. Drugs have become widespread, and sexual activity from the age of 14—15 for both sexes is almost commonplace. All of this constitutes evidence of destructive behavior, which manifests itself in a person's tendency toward self-destruction and poses a threat to the safety of both one's own life and that of others.

Destructiveness is a negative attitude of a person toward himself or other people, and behavior corresponding to this attitude'.

Let us consider the main types of destructive behavior.

Addictive behavior is expressed in the desire to escape reality by altering one's mental state through the use of certain substances (alcohol, drugs), constant fixation of attention on certain objects (overeating or fasting), or activities (gambling or computer games), which is accompanied by the development of intense emotions.

Antisocial behavior consists of actions contrary to ethics and morality, irresponsibility, and disregard for the laws and rights of others. Signs of antisocial behavior in childhood include a lack of emotional attachment to parents and relatives, lying, cruelty, and aggressiveness.

Suicidal behavior is expressed in an elevated risk of committing suicide. Any external or internal activity driven by the desire to take one's own life can be called suicidal. Moreover, the consequences of such an attempt inflict severe psychological trauma on the relatives and loved ones of the person who attempted suicide.

Conformist behavior is characterized by a lack of originality and individuality in views, habits, and principles, adherence to official points of view, and uncritical compliance with the instructions of those in power. Conformist consciousness has an automated character; it lacks a sense of responsibility and a distinction between good and evil, and the person becomes an automaton ready to carry out any orders from above.

Narcissistic behavior is any form of self-infatuation, a feeling of superiority over others. Classical psychoanalysis distinguishes: primary narcissism — a manifestation of self-infatuation in which the libido is directed entirely at oneself (considered normal at an early stage of individual development, while the persistence of this state into adulthood is regarded as a neurosis); secondary narcissism — self-love characterized by a sense of grandiosity, suspiciousness, and sadistic cruelty.

Fanatical behavior is a passionate devotion to one's ideals and values. Fanaticism is bound up with a readiness for sacrifice and devotion to an idea combined with intolerance of others. People of this type are characterized by heightened emotionality, an uncritical attitude toward any information confirming their views, and a rejection of criticism, even when well-intentioned.

Autistic behavior is an extreme form of psychological alienation, expressed in an individual's withdrawal from contact with the surrounding reality and immersion in the world of their own experiences.

Each of the seven named types of behavioral disorders can, under certain conditions, lead a person to catastrophe, and some of them can be extremely dangerous to other people, posing a threat to modern civilization.

The well-known psychologist E. Fromm wrote: "Never before has man come as close as he is today to the fulfillment of his most cherished hopes. Man has created a new world, with its own laws and its own destiny. Surveying his creation, he might say: and truly, this is good.

But what will he say about himself? Has he come closer to the fulfillment of another dream of the human race — the perfection of man himself? — Of a man who loves his neighbor, who is just, truthful, and who realizes what he is potentially...?"

A society is always what the predominant personality type of its citizens makes it. Society and life within it cannot become better unless people themselves become better, and at the same time, unless society itself creates the conditions for this.