The author of the text used in the course GPHR-7060: stress guru and biologist Dr. Sapolsky's explanation of displacement aggression was insightful. It helped to explain why intimidation, passive-aggression, and sarcasm are present in settings where codes of conduct have been established. The aggressor is under stress. The real cause of the stress is not present. But you are. So, why not take it out on you, especially if you are an individual with limited or any power. However, what was missing was the explanation of the role of the bystander. Every day, we all have the power to intervene in conflicts, but ignore it. Why and how the witness refuses to acknowledge the duress and pain the target is under was not explained.
What was refreshing from observation from volunteering at Anna’s Place was the observation of consistency in the attitudes matching behaviors and vice versa. Hypocrisy is adult behavior. It helps to explain why and how adults can preach etiquette and professionalism and yet practice the silent treatment and uses of intimidation to air their frustration at targets with limited power.
Theory of Mind was used as dependent variable in an article presented for Neuropharmacology to evaluate the efficacy of oxytocin in reducing the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The results portended success and further verification.
A healthy individual should be able to infer what another is feeling. He should be able to infer that yelling at another will inflict harm. Social aggression does not follow the holistic definition of health used by the World Health Organization that evaluates psychosocial factors. Perhaps oxytocin sprays can be used as an over-the-counter medication available for adults lacking in ToM and apathetic bystanders who cannot foresee that:
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the Coronavirus: One class had an impromptu discussion. Because the class size is fairly large, not everyone got to contribute in a non-judgmental environment. “What have you heard about the Coronavirus?” The media reported on the trend of tactics used during the Jim Crow era with signs reading “No Chinese.” Handwashing was recommended. Given the culture of prejudice in the “Deep South,” one couldn't help but expect a rounding up of Americans who look Asian to reenact what Japanese Americans went through after Pearl Harbor. In the South, it is assumed that individuals who look Asian must be Chinese, and never American.
Most Americans have poor understanding of the social constructs of race. There is only one race: the human race. The skin color may vary but we are all the same race. Historically, mass hysteria has followed with mass human rights abuses.
Thankfully, students who live close enough to campus don’t have to endure heightened social aggression and racism that Asian Americans must endure. Asian Americans are Americans. In times of hysteria, xenophobia is allowed full expression. In Europe, the coronavirus virus and its hysteria instigated xenophobic violence.
Surely, it can’t happen here at Tulane, right? Remember the Patriot Act and how it established Guantanamo to round up Americans without due process? How quickly we forget.
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The local news reported on the coerced quarantine of a Tulane student. The coerced quarantine occurred before the lab results of the Covid virus showing negative results. It was based on a subjective review. Coercion is not foreign to the university. The university spokesperson to the press stated that the student was "free" to leave after instructing the student that she has to remain in her dorm room. This is not the first time the university administrators defended themselves by stating that students are "free" and that they have a "choice" after using coercion techniques such as impeding students' access to their classes and university communication. The university uses the power to impede on students' access to education based on subjective information. The civil liberties of students are not considered inviolable at the university, which deviates from conforming to the "The Supreme Law of the Land." Conformity is supposed to be valued.
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