Emotional Deprivation Generates Behavior Disorganisation I

The term Emotion is derived from the Latin word emovere which means to move, to excite, to stir up or to agitate. It signifies that emotional states are dependent on specific situations, and they are evaluated for personal significance and behavior disorganization. However definition of emotion is quite refractory yet contemporary theories of emotion recognized four classes of factors.

(a)     Instigating stimuli, these may be external or internal
(b)    Physiological correlates; that is biochemical and electrical changes
(c)    Cognitive appraisal; emotions aroused by personal significance of an event
(d)    Motivational propensities; germinate mostly from emotional arousal which leads to impelling activity.

By going through the above factors we can sum up the definition simply ‘A feeling of distinct thoughts coupled by biochemical and electrical changes leads to change of propensities to behave.

For a public servant the importance of emotions and emotional intelligence in coping up with often complex situation need not be over-emphasized. That is why in the psychological test, prospective civil servants are put to such questions as to disclose their own emotions and ability to control them through reason, logic to their advantage. Therefore, selection based on aptitude and talent alone followed by rigorous training serves the very purpose of grooming civil servants so that they may handle emotionally charged situation to the advantage of the people at large. During preliminary training and also at mid-career level they are again exposed to such situations through simulation exercises and case studies.  For all this the minimum requirement is to understand emotions and emotional intelligence.

Therefore the capacity and ability of an individual to put emotions under the control of reason and use them to advantage is emotional intelligence. The emotional intelligence deals with behavior in challenging scenario, interpersonal relationships, occupational success, social responsibility, morality, motivation, communication and ability to work under stress. It is largely learned and acquired.

The present day generation is facing a crisis due to rising terrorism despite the fact that they are brighter but emotionally more vulnerable and troubled than the last. The reason are obvious that includes social injustice, income disparities, ill conceived and poorly implemented polices to address the problem of unemployment, flaws in criminal and justice system, lack of political will to upheld the rule of law, all this has made our children growing more lonely and depressed, more angry and unruly, more nervous and prone to worry, more impulsive and aggressive. We are an unfortunate generation living in emotionally impoverished society.

The wave of terrorism unleashed by the enemies of humanity throughout Pakistan has virtually brought to negligible the opportunities of healthy activities and people fear from visiting public places except in acute emergency. Persistence of such a situation for a long time has brought about a drastic emotional change in our society like insensitivity towards events instrumental in determining the future of the nation. Similarly no sanctity for human life has recently been manifested by our reaction towards Karachi killings. The political parties except point scoring did nothing while the feelings of hatred were engulfing the Karachiites. The emotional deprivation has badly affected our confidence, morale and self esteem.

Now is the time that our leadership should come ahead and lead the nation to come out of such a painstaking situation which is depriving us emotionally from feelings of oneness. Instead of involving in blame game their focus should be on confidence building of the nation and lead from the front towards the path of prosperity and progress. The nation has already suffered a lot and nobody knows for how long this ‘war on terrorism’ will continue and add into the sufferings of common man. The nation as a whole should agree on a single point agenda that is to defeat terrorists and the enemies of Pakistan and the leading role is to be played by political parties by putting aside their petty differences and to emancipate the nation from the present quagmire that is testing us very harshly.