What we learn: Why have motive, control, and will become misleading concepts?
What's new: What research is available on the human fixation on control and its potential dangers?
What we learn: What knowledge will prevent the misconception that we have omnipotent control?
1. Indeed, when we decide to work hard at a task, it seems that this conscious decision is the first and foremost cause of our behavior. However, recent discoveries challenge this causal status of conscious will. They show that under some conditions, actions are initiated [by unconscious processes, author ed.] even when we are not aware of the goals to be achieved or their motivating influence on our behavior (Kusters, Ruud, and Henk Aarts. 2010)[1].
2. "Our conscious understanding is just the tip of the iceberg of unconscious processing" (Gazzaniga, M. 2017) [2].
3. Dubious deceptive concepts. It will be difficult to grow and develop, and sometimes impossible, without first eliminating harmful teachings. These harmful teachings significantly complicate the process of growth and development, since they are closely related to the ability to continue to grow in self-love. These teachings are presented by some experts in the science of the human psyche and the processes occurring in it. Although, strictly speaking, they cannot be fully attributed to teachings, as holistic theoretical positions [3]. Rather, we are talking about some concepts that contradict the essence of Carl Rogers's humanistic psychology and other theories in psychology. Nevertheless, it is worth considering these concepts important for clarifying their scientific nature. Since they then become overgrown with other deceptive concepts and have become part of some psychological theory, they can cause tangible harm to the psyche of a human who applies these theories in his life. Such deceptive concepts have become "motive", "control" and "will". These concepts in themselves are not misleading, but when and how they are used and what purpose is attributed to them influences the attitude towards oneself [1, 3, 4, 5].
4. When and how do motive, control, and will counteract? When motive, control, and will are given the main place in the processes of the psyche, then consciousness is the only tool for controlling an incredibly complex device - a person (IV fr. 2. 8, 9; 3. 3). Let us recall what role is given to consciousness? Consciousness is the control of a human's current behavior within the unconscious [5]. However, judging by the established stereotype in scientific circles, the conclusion suggests that consciousness can control a human independently of the unconscious [1]. For example, consciousness can motivate or induce a person with the help of one-sided and superficial evidence to constantly control all his mental processes and behavior. If something does not work out, then it can be regulated by efforts of will [3]. However, relatively recent studies in psychology have refuted this status of the human will.
• "Indeed, when we decide to work hard at a task, it seems that this conscious decision is the first and main cause of our behavior. However, recent discoveries call into question this causal status of conscious will" (author's italics) (Kusters, Ruud, and Henk Aarts. 2010) [1].
It is worth noting the rather common expressions - "everything is under control" and "self-control" - which have become attitudes for Western society.
5. "Everything under control" and "self-control". Two experts in personality psychology – American Nancy McWilliams and Russian Sofia Nartova-Bochaver * in their books examined the reason for a human's focus on control. Both specialists believe that the reason for such a fixation on control is the primary defense of their psyche [6, 7]. The basis of the psychical defense mechanism (fixation on control) is the belief that everything that happens inside and outside must be under control to manage your life. The most dangerous aspect of this belief is that we can control everything, which is why it is called "omnipotent control" [6].
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