Evening star., 1927-11-06

By DOUGLAS 4. THOM. NJ. d.,
Director of Division of Mental Hygiene
Massachusetts,.
TIME real reasons for failure, il
we admitted them, would fire.
quently be shattering to our
Il self-esteem. No man likes to
think that he has failed be-
cause of a poor intellectual equip
ment, or a jealous disposition. or shy
ness, or Gomineering attitude toward
others, or resentment of all authority.
Consequently. IL one or more of the sc
reasons liz the correct one. you will
usually hear the failure blame his lack
of success on some other person, or
on circumsta nce-for neither of which
he could be held responsible.
He will Say-either to others or TO
himself-that he couldn't succeed be-
cause he never had a. square deal, or
married too young, or had family re-
sponsibilities, or suffered from poor
iss health; !, w % can believe iDe. e almost any.
pride.
This is the method which the mind
adopts to keep itself from having to
face unpleasant truths, just as the
body has built up safeguards against
physical injury. 1t is a process of
self-deception to which the psychDl.
ogist has given the name rational IT,
zation," and it is INDUCED in by almost
everybody. 1t is unconscious, beca i.se
il we realized we were doing 1t we
would get no comfort from 1t.
True failures can rarely be at
tributed TO any one single factor
More often they are the result of cir.
cumstances and conditions which we
have been led to believe were not
within our control. AS a matter of
fact. the lack of control over these
conditions is due to tho fact that we
do not recognize them In time as
dangerous shoals on which lives NAV
be wrecked.
One of the problems that every per
ron has to meet in growing up is
emancipation from his parents. Fail
ure on the part Of the child TO estab-
Ilsh his own independence and throw
on the desire for protection leads 10
unhappiness and inefficiency in LATER
life.
IOlIN NJ was a good example
oi y"urg man who had not been
emancipatcd. lie had never been al.
lowed 10 grow up, was lacking in con.
ffdence. self-assurance and independ
enco; he was without the normal.
healthy urge to move fearlessIy alone
unhampered by childish era wings for
comfort and protection. AT 30 he was
almost like n 3.year.old child in his
attitude toward the world.
At the age of -. when he was q
senior in one Of the ost.graduate
i schools of engineering. he consulted
several medical specialists because of
pain in the back. frequent vomiting
lack Of sleep and loss OF weight. None
ef the spccia lists was able 10 find an,.
evidence Of organic disease. so John
went 10 psychiatrist. not because
any one felt he Was mentally untal
snced. hut as last resort. He was a
nnely developed man. but wore an
anxious, hageard expression ard
seemed restless ard i'll at ease. After
a long talk with him and also with
his mother. two of his teachers and
two Of his college friends. the psy.
2 chiatrist WAS able to piece out sum
mary Of the principal events in his
lifs.
lie was the youngest child and the
only boy In the family. He was born
10 years after the next youngest, and
his parents regarded his advent with
mixed emotions. The father was over
joyed in at last having son TO carry
on the family name. while the mother
NaH ~ ittih i'ViNCiA avs q
child at her age and was bitter and
resentfui
Her feeling OF antagonism did not
last long. however After he was
born. she became unusually solicitous
for his welfare. She tried 10 anticipate
his every want and tn protect him
from all discomfort. lie was rocked
tossed and petted. and special dishes
were prepared TO meet his whims
Even at night he got his mothers at
tention by crying out that he was