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Towards a psychological profile of President Donald Trump...

30/9/2020

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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
janerushworth2101@gmail.com 
0437 621 575
September 18 - Class notes - Handout
Psychology of Donald Trump - Part B - Slideshow  pdf
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'The Psychology of Donald Trump #1' - September 2 - Resources

3/9/2020

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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
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Backgrounding Donald Trump - Resource Sharing

3/9/2020

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

1/9/2020

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​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.
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  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"
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    Demystifying Psychology

    Demystifying Psychology is formally returning to the timetable in 2023. 

    The Demystifying Psychology Discussion Group comprising members from previous classes which has been meeting at the Northo is now listed on the U3A Timetable.

    "An open discussion group with a psychological focus looking at current events.  If you are interested in various interpretations of relationships of all kinds, you are welcome and can expect to have fun.  No preparation needed."

    3rd Thursday from 2 - 4 pm
    ​The North Eastern Hotel


    The initial 'Demystifying Psychology' five session course will be offered again in Semester Two 

    "A five-session light-hearted course introducing psychology in everyday life and some of the theories that attempt to explain how and why we do things.  The course will include personality types and preferred coping styles; theories and practices applied to drug treatment, raising children, family violence, and other topics as suggested by participants. The course will also include social psychology, the concepts of obedience, power, group dynamics and states of mind.  We'll then discuss how we experience the various theories as they play out in daily life."

    Times to be Confirmed

    Convenor and Contact Details

    Picture
    Jane Rushworth 
    0437 621 575

    Meeting times

    Demystifying Psychology Discussion Group

    3rd Thursday
    2 to 4 pm
    'The Northo'

    Demystifying Psychology Course

    Semester 2 - times to be confirmed.  

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