Feest Isolation Days – 12 November
Several years ago when we were travelling from New Zealand back home, we passed through Los Angeles airport. An entire plane load of people were forced to go through passport control immediately after disembarking the aircraft, even though we couldn’t have got into that area of the terminal if we hadn’t just arrived on the plane. We stood for ages while two people processed our documents that couldn’t have possibly changed during the twelve or so hour flight. We were all going on the next flight to London, and were placed in a holding area after this passport control. We were all tired and fed up with the process. Then, one of the two officials took off with a poor chap who had his arm in plaster. Then there was one. By the time it came to our turn, I asked the man why there were so few people doing this job, and pointed out that it didn’t need to happen in the first place. I suggested that it gave people a terrible first impression of the States. He agreed but said he couldn’t do anything about it. I asked him if he might speak to his manager and explain how people were upset and complaining. He said he would.
Then Trump was elected. I thought twice about saying anything like that to an airport official during his tenure as the temperature had changed. We all became more wary of each other. Fortunately, the situation didn’t occur again so I didn’t find out if I would have found my voice.
Do you tell people who are not wearing masks, or wearing them improperly to put them on, or tell their superior to tell them? Do you stand up for what you believe even when everyone else is taking the other view? Do you go along with whatever is being said or do you make your distinct voice heard? Would you call out homophobia or racism if you encountered it? If you answered yes to any of these questions the likelihood is that you are a moral rebel. Having a psychological name attached to this behaviour is new to me. Finally, there seems to be some science to explain why some people don’t follow the crowd.
Neuroscience research tells us that an ability to stand up to social influence can be seen in the brain! People who want to fit in have more gray matter in the orbitofrontal cortex of the brain. This is the place where memories are stored and those who have been rejected by their group hold onto these events in this area just behind their eyebrows. Also, two other areas of brain activity are more responsive in those who have been excluded. These people feel the worst and do all they can to fit in.
Moral rebels on the other hand feel pretty good about themselves. They have confidence about their own judgment, values and ability. They also believe that their views are superior and that they have a social responsibility to share them, according to Psychologist Catherine Sanderson. She tells us that moral rebels “aren’t worried about feeling embarrassed or having an awkward interaction. Perhaps most importantly, they are far less concerned about conforming to the crowd. So, when they have to choose between fitting in and doing the right thing, they will probably choose to do what they see as right.”
Before we moral rebels get too carried away, it is probably useful to remember that the same mechanisms are in play for say, vocal anti abortionists as well as pro abortionists. A sense of smugness isn’t helpful; knowing you’re right is probably best tempered with a dose of reality. Facts help.
Still. It does feel like the new occupant of the White House gives many of us a bit more of a sense of surety about what we believe. It certainly makes speaking up possible again.
Stay safe, and enjoy!
With love
Kathy x