Is positive thinking is a form of social control?

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   wanzulfikriposted 12 years ago

   For example, can't we complain to our boss if we really think that we don't like certain things. Did we break the rule of positiveness if we complain thus making us flawed being?

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      wixorposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have a friend that appears to be a positive thinker. But he ignores problems by assuming they will magically disappear by staying positive. As always, I suspect the answer may be in maintaining balance.

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      Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Constructive criticism isn't necessarily negativity. Just a way of trying to find a better way of working, that's a positive in itself isn't? Social control, as far as I'm concerned anyway, is using dogma, belief, fear etc. to control the masses, or a particular group in society.

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         wixorposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         It's all anthropological really. Authority and status are all important, and any challenge or deviation from the status quo may be viewed as a threat to the leadership. Even someone that is constructive may be seen as a threat, as they may gather support for their own leadership aspirations.
         
         The best environment would be where criticism is actually expected, and is part of one's responsibility.

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            Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Agreed, but the Op wasn't really specific about what they were complaining about, or indeed, what the response was from the employer. A bit vague, I was just trying to fill in the gaps.

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   knolyourselfposted 12 years ago

   The rule of truth will feel best in the end. To the extent it is allowed, is to the degree one may
   have to compromise.

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   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   Positive thinking isn't a form of social control. It's a form of self control.

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   Stacie Lposted 12 years ago

   Positive thinking is a coping mechanism.it allows us to not be distracted by other negative activities in our environment. I also provided hope for a better tomorrow. I know some negative people who are 'stuck" in the woes of the world and can't seem to get past it.

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   wanzulfikriposted 12 years ago

   I wonder if some political strategies are related to positive thinking. Surely you can't say any bad things if you're really a firm believer of positiveness.

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      Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No, I think most political strategies are just about deception.

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   timorousposted 12 years ago

   As Stacie said, positive thinking is a coping mechanism. If you are generally positive, you will always find ways of dealing with negative situations, rather than escalating the problem with further negativity. Negativity is counter-productive. Positivity isn't just sweetness and light, sweeping problems under the carpet and hoping they go away, either.
   
   It's best to remain level-headed and present your case in such a way that it becomes a positive in the minds of others..a kind of 'gentle persuasion'.
   
   Social control is a leader or group making unilateral decisions to support their own agenda, disregarding the wishes or well-being of the general populace.

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   Hollie Thomasposted 12 years ago

   Definition of social control
   
   
   1.
   Sociology. the enforcement of conformity by society upon its members, either by law or by social pressure.
   2.
   the influence of any element in social life working to maintain the pattern of such life.

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   EmpressFelicityposted 12 years ago

   It depends on what sort of positive thinking you're talking about.
   
   There's the personal, private sort, a certain amount of which is perhaps necessary to stop yourself being swamped by depression or at any rate apathy.
   
   Then there's the sort that's imposed on you by other people. It ranges from the mild but really irritating [like when people tell you to "Smile! You look really serious/miserable today" (grr)], to the more pernicious - like employers who say they expect "positivity" from their employees when they really mean "don't criticise us or you'll be out of a job, chum."

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      Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, like that company in Japan that ordered all employees to constantly smile. That is wrong. However, there is nothing wrong with personal positive thinking...even though it is often hard to maintain.

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