Psychological underpinnings the irrational behaviours and how do we cope during pandemic by Wei Hong

In a recent webinar that I have attended with and was conducted by fellow mentoring practitioners, it is commonly emphasized that we must allow unchanneled energy of youth to be channeled to productive means, particularly during the circuit breaker period, lest youths would go down to the wrong path. To provide that avenue would inextricably meet some of their needs.

During the pandemic, we observed several news indicating some irrational behaviors to be shown in public. For instant, in TODAY newspaper on 22 April, 2020, The police said that they had received several reports of the video, which showed one of the youths commenting about the circuit breaker measures and making offensive gestures.


In the video, he was wearing a mask but left his mouth exposed. He also spewed vulgarities and said, “They stay home, we stay out. We're not scared of the government! The more they ask us to stay at home, the more we come out.”

Other than that, we also observed other news articles as stated below:

  • Woman who flouted Covid-19 mask rule, claimed to be 'sovereign' arrested by Straits Times, 4 May 2020 
  • Police arrest woman who spat at KFC worker, investigate man who made offensive remarks against migrant workers on Twitter by Straits Times, 25 Apr 2020 
  • Police arrest man, 54, who strips down to underwear in Geylang Bahru during Covid-19 circuit breaker period by Mothership, 13 Apr 2020 

McLeod, S.A. (2020). Maslow's hierarchy of needs

To get a better understanding of the underpinnings of irrational behaviour, let’s examine the possible root cause – Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Belongingness and love needs is one of the psychological needs. Hence, it explains why people may not comply with social distancing restrictions. They are naturally hesitant to break the social bonds because they may cling on these bonds or group memberships to benefit to their own psychological health.

In Dr. Michael Sanders and Susannah Hume’s book Social Butterflies, they made a bold proposition that we, humans, are all social animals. The behaviour scientists elaborated that our social instincts and propensity to form and sustain groups with shared loyalties, motives, and culture are in many ways, the story of humanity.

The lockdown event may refer as 'cognitive dissonance' which occurs when people experience mental discomfort for having opposing thoughts and feelings, which may then lead to emotional dysregulation. Based on Psychological Care and Healing Center (PCH), emotional dysregulation refers to the inability of a person to control or regulate their emotional responses to provocative stimuli. An emotional dysregulation suggests that emotions are poorly modulated and do not lie within the accepted range of emotive response.

Senior clinical psychologist Dr Kim Lian Rolles-Abraham of Better Life Clinic believes that the restrictions may contribute to a certain level of frustration that, if left unattended, can result in an escalation towards anger outbursts. Moreover, certain alterations that had occurred during the circuit breaker period may be left unresolved, which could possibly cause existing feelings of anger to fester.
How do we then curb these irrational thoughts? How do we find clarity in the midst of uncertainty, and when we are smitten with negative thoughts? 
Cohesion and togetherness
Lead investigator Dr Eric S. Kim suggested, “Perhaps humans being social creatures by nature is why our minds and bodies are rewarded when we give to others. Results show that volunteerism among older adults doesn't just strengthen communities, but enriches our own lives by strengthening our bonds to others, helping us feel a sense of purpose and well-being, and protecting us from feelings of loneliness, depression, and hopelessness. Regular altruistic activity reduces our risk of death even though our study didn't show any direct impact on a wide array of chronic conditions.”

Feelings of closeness can lead to a shared affinity and concern for the welfare of others. Thus people who feel a part of a cohesive community can form a powerful shared identity with each other by serving those in need.

How human has adapted the pandemic restrictions
Although mental conflict has been observed in different countries, most people have also coped by adjusting to new ways of living, aided by modern technology. A vast range of virtual social events including pub quizzes, support group sessions, exercise workouts, and many more. Many talented people have also surfaced at the same to put their skills into good use, such as sewing DIY masks for the community.

There was a point of time where people start to show altruistic behavior where they sent food, snacks, drinks or gifts to each other via grab or any delivery method to cheer up each other. A nationwide appreciation event to our front line workers has also bring warmth to people, thus, achieving the esteem needs shown in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Paradoxically, the very same challenge posed by disrupting socializing are opportunities that one can leverage in sparking joy. Perhaps we are also unknowingly changing the blueprint for how we live our lives in the future due to the pandemic.

And that's why I write. Paradoxically, the very same challenge posed by disrupting socializing are opportunities that one can leverage in sparking joy.

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