The Conflict in Ukraine: Psychological Aspects

What is it about?

Paranoid individuals have restricted abilities to test their beliefs for reality. Among them are writers touting mysterious theories. Certain war instigators are paranoid in their tendency to present themselves as prophets, world saviors etc. Paranoiacs may be aggressive against delusional goals. Some mentally healthy people are susceptible to paranoid appeals, a predisposing condition being fear of strangers and projection of hatred upon them. Furthermore, paranoid individuals tend to transform internal threats into external ones. Psychological projection in patients with paranoia is regarded to be an aberration of shame. Being unable to tolerate shame, they project it onto others. Repressed shame may cause aggression. The attempt is made in this preprint to apply the above considerations to the conflict in Ukraine. Among others, the lack of knowledge about other countries, misleading propaganda, suppressed shame and envy seem to be contributive to the conflict. Instead of machismo and militarism, the propaganda should popularize the image of scrupulous and hardworking people. Moral principles, based on modesty and mutual help aimed at preservation of as much life and wealth as possible should be invigorated. Ukraine must become a testing ground for the international cooperation.

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