Psychiatric Aspects of Morale

Abstract

Psychiatry approaches in its problems by way of relevant extremes of behavior. Psychiatric consideration of morale thus begins with the study of demoralized people. Beyond demoralization is the relatively momentary state of panic. Acute demoralization, sometimes ushered in by panic, grades through blank terror, fear and escape, psychoneurotic disablements, and "getting rattled" to rage and anger. Chronic demoralization grades from discouragement to despair. the circumstancess in which demoralization occurs or is avoided are illuminating. They include both interpersonal and biologica and biological factors. Modern warfare includes, as an assential element, psychiatric strategy and tactis, offensive and defensive, for impairing enemy and protecting home morale. The principles of the former include destruction of faith in the meaning of life, disorganization of governmental control, disintegration of the communities making up the enemy power, and direct demoralization of its citzens. Some reasons for vulnerability at these points are adumbrated. From this analysis, a few principles of a positive or protective strategy can be deduced: dissemination of understanding of the social structure necessary in the nation at defensive war, the synthesis of solidarity, the control of disintegrative people, realistic distribution of roles, and the hygienic management of activity. Some favorable efforts are already visible: rational selection of personnel; development of the Morale Activities Branch; and the possibility that the Office of Civilian Defense will bring about more adequate understanding of the person in the national integration.