U3A Benalla
  • Home
  • Benalla
    • Benalla
    • Benalla District
    • Who, What and Where? - Benalla Rural City
  • About
    • Our U3A
    • President's Page
    • Executive Committee
    • Convenors
    • Policies
    • Newsletter
    • Website
  • Groups
    • 2026 Groups
    • Past Groups
    • Program Ideas
  • A-Coi
    • 'A Taste of Art'
    • American History
    • Art Appreciation
    • 'As Time Goes By'
    • Australian Shares and Stock Market
    • Be Connected - Tech Advice
    • Birdwatching
    • Brain Games - Neurobics
    • Car Torque
    • Cards '500'
    • Chat n' Chew
    • Coin Collectors
  • Col-F
    • Collectors
    • Community Singing
    • Come and Learn Croquet
    • Creative Writing
    • Critical Thinking
    • Demystifying Psychology - Discussion Group
    • Digital Up Skilling for Lifelong Learners
    • Easy Bushwalking
    • Exercises for Fun
    • Exploring the Universe
    • Family Research
    • Film Discussion
  • G-Pi
    • Garden Appreciation
    • Garden Team
    • German >
      • German Home
      • Lessons
    • Learning and playing traditional Celtic tunes
    • Let's Talk Books
    • Mahjong
    • Meet and Mingle
    • Music Appreciation
    • Page Turners
    • Patchwork and Craft
    • Pickleball
  • Pl-W
    • Play Reading
    • Poetry Appreciation >
      • Home
      • 'Poems which Moved Me'
      • Maggie's Poetry
    • Politics & Current Affairs
    • Recorder
    • Singing for Fun
    • Social Golf
    • Sustainability/Stock & Land
    • Tech Talks
    • Train Buffs
    • Ukes4Fun
    • Using My Android Mobile Phone
    • Wine Appreciation
  • Join
    • Join Us
    • Membership Application/Renewal Form
    • Program Guide 2026
    • Timetable with Dates 2026
    • Venues and Maps
  • News
    • News
    • April Newsletter
    • 'What's On' Calendar
    • Monthly Calendar
    • U3A Benalla Online - Emails, Website and Facebook
  • FB
  • Gallery
  • Links
    • Links and References
    • U3A Network Victoria
    • Seniors Online Victoria
    • U3A Albury Wodonga
    • U3A Beechworth (Indigo U3A)
    • U3A Bright
    • U3A Goulburn Valley
    • U3A Murrundindee East
    • U3A Wangaratta
  • Contact

Towards a psychological profile of President Donald Trump...

30/9/2020

0 Comments

 
As expected, September has been curious. We discussed theories and analyses of the psychological profile of President Donald Trump, his brand of leadership, family background, who voted for him and why, and his economic report card. The aim was a balanced investigation. ​
Here is what we discussed. The numbers in brackets are references. Email me for the list which is too long for here.
 
1.  And in the beginning …... the President was aptly named. “Donald” comes from the Proto-Celtic Dumno-ualos ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). Who knew what at his birth? 

Psychological profile and leadership:
2.  In part, Trump marketed himself as a “Republican …. that is not simply a vehicle for the already extraordinarily rich to increase their wealth and power”. This destabilized the Republican Party and endeared poorer Americans to Donald. (1)
3.  “The US has spun from facing a fake migrant invasion, to a blue-wave election, to an attack on that election by the president.” “All of America is paddling.” (2)
4.  “Critics tend to fall along a spectrum … an absurd figure …” or a talented bully. (3) Both equally absurd.
5. Psychological descriptors include narcissism, disagreeableness, grandiosity, gaslighting, authoritarianism and fascism, lack of concern for other’s wishes and/or opinions, and misogyny. (4)
6.  Trumps uses “Shock Politics” to distract. There are ways to resist this. (5) \

The Family Trump:
7.  The President’s father Fred was a first generation American. His mother Mary migrated from Scotland. His father has been variously described as a “high functioning sociopath”, a fiercely bold man, encouraging his son to emerge as a “killer” or “king” in negotiations, and suffocating and destructive. Trumps frequently unwell mother was physically and/or emotionally absent, neglected her children and is said to have influenced his hairdo (true!). (6). The irony of this heritage in the context of the Mexican Wall diatribe cannot be ignored.
8.  Trump was attuned to pleasing his father. His fathers’ photo was displayed in the Oval Office many months before his mothers’ photo emerged. 
9.  His relationship with his mother is said to be the genesis of Trump’s contempt for women. But I suspect Fred made a rather good contribution as well. Sigmund Freud’s theories are handy here. 

So … who voted for Trump and why:
10. Many voters were very unhappy with progressives/liberals/Clinton and did not expect Trump to get in. Voting for Trump was a protest vote and with wide-ranging rationales. Many voters came from the professions, from the military or from government service and are described as well-informed and patriotic Americans who were desperate for change. (7) 
​
How does the report card look?
11. Trump’s pre-covid economic achievements were not as singularly and historically phenomenal as he insisted. However, one analysis of economic growth, the stock market, and jobs and wages concluded “it's true the economy has been doing well - but there have been periods when it was even stronger.” (8)  An “average” for Donald. Fred would NOT be pleased. 
It’s a strange, strange world we live in Master Jack.
 
Jane
[email protected] 
0437 621 575
September 18 - Class notes - Handout
Psychology of Donald Trump - Part B - Slideshow  pdf
0 Comments

'The Psychology of Donald Trump #1' - September 2 - Resources

3/9/2020

1 Comment

 
Here is the video referred to in the slide show: 
Recommended Reading - "These websites have proved invaluable"

https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/president-donald-trump 

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/06/the-mind-of-donald-trump/480771

​https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/narcissism-demystified/202007/provocative-psychological-analysis-trump-trump  


Jane
1 Comment

Backgrounding Donald Trump - Resource Sharing

3/9/2020

0 Comments

 
From Andi Stevenson 
Topic/Issue:  'The US Electoral College' 
Resource:  Planet America, Sept 2 2020  You Tube clip 

"During Demystifying Psychology, as we psychoanalysed Donald Trump, the issue of the US Electoral Collage came up. For those like me who haven't got their heads around this concept, the episode of Planet America that aired Sept 2nd has John Barron giving a succinct explanation of how it came to be, what it is and what it does. This episode will be available on iView, or via the internet.   https://iview.abc.net.au/show/planet-america"

If you are short of time, the segment on the Electoral College begins in about 16mins15secs...
Heather Wallace commented on Andi's Facebook post..."Yes, it was a very good, concise explanation of how the Electoral college operates and how an American candidate can win the higher number of elector votes yet because of a negative result in the Electoral College still not be President of USA"
0 Comments

From 'Rambling around forensic psychology'...to ... 'the psychological makeup of the President of the United States'

1/9/2020

0 Comments

 
​Farewell August and “hello” Covid 2.0. This is proving to be a more subdued lockdown and a long haul for many. ​  ​Thankfully, we are not as limited as our Melbourne families and friends.
Picture
  INKCINCT Cartoons by Ditchy. inkcinct.com.au 25082020
Since May we have rambled around Forensic Psychology and sauntered down paths depending on our interests. Recently we looked at eye-witness testimony and theories of crime.
 
The “Monkey Thief” video and questionnaire proved enlightening. We decided that few of us would make reliable eyewitnesses.
 
Theories of crime were familiar to us. Theorists variously attribute crime to genes, social difficulties, who you hang out with, and plain old free will. Laws, the design of jails, and personal attitudes (amongst other considerations) reflect one or more of these theoretical explanations. We wrapped up this topic by sharing ideas based on:
  • Our individual view of crime,
  • Government(s) views on crime as demonstrated in laws and funding decisions.

These were “idea joggers” for the discussion:
Description of 4 Theories of Crime  https://schoolworkhelper.net/theories-of-crime-classical-biological-sociological-interactionist/  
Explore your preferred Political Party websites - law and order policies.
Page 10 of Victorian Government (Labor) Community Safety Statement 2017 https://communitysafety.vic.gov.au/media/1072/djr001_g_css01_lr.pdf 
 
In September we will start on a topic of curious interest – the psychological profile of the current President of America. Many have struggled to make sense of his current brand of leadership. We will explore some theories/explanations and, you never know, Benalla U3A just might come up with the answer.
 
Join us next on Wednesday 2 September 10:00 to 11:45am. Use this link
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72159430694?pwd=WkVwUXI3ckJvWlc3dW1ZZm5mZzRhUT09
Meeting ID: 721 5943 0694
Passcode: 4MysKx
​Keep up the wry humor, stay well, look out for yourselves and yours … and cuddle a pet.



​“See” you soon,



Jane 



​"Hugo and Charli -
​my pint size COVID comfort"
Picture
0 Comments

    Demystifying Psychology -  Discussion  Group

    Interested in people, relationships, and what s happening in the world? Join our friendly discussion group with a psychological twist. It's relaxed, fun, and thought-provoking. No homework needed just bring yourself (and maybe something interesting to share if you feel like it).
    Enquiries welcome - call Convenor Jane on 0437 621 575l.  .

    Meeting Times and Venue

    3rd Tuesday of the month from 9.30 to 11.30 am.

    U3A Meeting Room 1

    Convenor and Contact Details

    Picture
    Jane Rushworth 
    0437 621 575
    Course 2024

    Categories

    All
    Action Research
    Addiction
    Alcohol And Other Drugs
    Artificial Intelligence
    Child Development
    Community Values
    Course Session 1
    Covid Crisis
    Demystifying Psychology Course
    'Difficult Conversations'
    DP Course 2020
    DP Course Description
    "Erikson's Developmental Stages"
    Ethics
    Forensic Psychology
    Giving Life Meaning
    'Group Dynamics'
    'Integrity V Despair'
    Intelligence And Memory
    Intro To Psychology
    July 17 Notes
    Kohlberg
    'Leadership'
    'Local Government'
    'Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs'
    Morrison Interview Model
    Naomi Klein
    Obedience & Power
    Pandemic Responses
    Personal Values
    Piaget
    Politics & Psychology
    Psychological And Behavioural Aspects Of The Covid Crisis
    Psychological Profiles
    Psychology Of Donald Trump
    Psychology Of Religion
    Self & Others
    Stages Of Change
    'The Psychological Dirt On Gardening'
    "The Psychology Of Change'
    Using Zoom
    Values And Ethics
    Visions For The Future
    Zoom Discussion Groups

    Archives

    March 2026
    February 2026
    November 2025
    October 2025
    September 2025
    August 2025
    July 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    February 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019

    RSS Feed

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
Picture
News
​Newsletter
Facebook Page
​
Program Suggestions
​CO-VID Safety

U3A Benalla Flier 2026 
Membership Application/Renewal
​
Semester 1 Program Guide 2026
Semester 1 Timetable with Dates 2026
Developed and maintained by members, this website showcases U3A Benalla 
​Photographs - U3A members; Benalla Art Gallery website; ​Weebly 'Free' images;Travel Victoria and State Library of Victoria
Photo from Maddingue