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A Psychologist's Open Letter to U.S. Voters
A Psychologist's Open Letter to U.S. Votersby Craig Malkin at Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/romance-redux/201509/psychologists-open-letter-us-voters
"SNIP...........
6.Don't applaud black-and-white thinking.
We need leaders who can see the nuance in situations, who don't collapse the world into simple categories. In mental health, black-and-white thinking is known as a "cognitive distortion,"
link is external) not a great habit in a leader. Extreme narcissists love to divide the world(link is external) this way because they never have to feel vulnerable. They can flee, or label anyone who makes them feel unsure of their special status as "enemies," while cozying up to everyone else who bows to their will as "friends." Be very careful that you don't punish leaders for seeing the gray around them. People who think this way eventually draw up a list of enemies; and one day, you may find yourself on it.
7.Do applaud apologies.
We all make mistakes. But extreme narcissists are so addicted to feeling special, often by seeming perfect, that they can't admit(link is external) to even the simplest errors, let alone apologize for hurting others. Thanks to us, many politicians have gotten it into their heads that, somehow, saying they're sorry or acknowledging their missteps makes them appear weak—unless they're forced by impeachment. Hence the deplorable habit of making excuses for the most egregious behaviors. What keeps people from slipping into disorder is the capacity to repair relationships, whether the bond is with their partners or a nation. Put someone in office who can do that, please. Cheer for the candidate who can say "I'm sorry" without the pressure of a court order.
8.Don't applaud evasiveness.
Extreme narcissists excel at shallow, vague, and glib responses, especially the extroverted(link is external) types who seek power. Their speeches are all "show" with no substance; bluster without the details to back it up. No matter how confident the speaker, this kind of leadership isn't going to help anyone, except perhaps the narcissist. The devil is in the details—or in this case, in the lack of details.
9.Do applaud curiosity.
Smart leaders, and I've met a few, actively explore. They ask good questions. They don't always have answers and they let you know that. Their strength lies in their conviction that they'll solve a problem, not the certainty that they already have. They keep investigating the world if they're not sure where Russia is on the map. Beware the leader who's more invested in appearing to have all the answers than in asking the right questions. It's a sure sign that someone's more concerned with feeling special (link is external)than with helping you.
...............SNIP"
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