Undaunted and Defiant Thinking
Disturbed characters don’t allow adversity to lead them to question the ways they tend to look at things or the ways they tend to conduct themselves and cling to a core belief that they shouldn’t have to do anything they don’t want to do.
As part of a broader series on the nature of character disturbance, I’ve been posting a series of articles on the erroneous patterns of thinking common to individuals whose characters are seriously flawed. Some of the dysfunctional thinking patterns explored include egocentric thinking, unreasonable thinking, quick and easy thinking, and hedonistic thinking:
- “Egocentric Thinking Patterns of Disturbed Characters”
- “The Unreasonable Thinking of Disturbed Characters”
- “Quick and Easy Thinking”
- “Hedonistic Thinking”
Some dysfunctional thinking patterns tend to cluster together, such as “irrelevant, external, and hard-luck” thinking. (See the earlier entry, “Irrelevant, External, and “Hard-Luck” Thinking”.) Disordered characters also tend to think in another two ways that are often linked together: “Undaunted” and “Defiant” thinking.
- Undaunted Thinking
- Disturbed characters don’t allow adversity to lead them to question the ways they tend to look at things or the ways they tend to conduct themselves. Even though most of the problems they experience are the natural and logical consequences of their dysfunctional attitudes and behavior, they rarely allow themselves to think of their predicaments that way. Rather, they take pride in their determination to keep doing things as they prefer to do them no matter what happens as a result. If a relationship falls apart, they simply blame the other person and move on. If they run afoul of the law, they fault the “corrupt system” and become more resolute in their determination to beat it. They don’t allow themselves to think that maybe there’s something about the way they’re going about viewing and handling the trials of life that needs correction. Instead, they dig in their heels and harden their stance despite all objective evidence that their stance is ill-taken. Their habitual undaunted thinking leads to attitudes of belligerence and stubbornness.
- Defiant Thinking
- Disordered characters tenaciously cling to a core belief that they shouldn’t have to do anything they don’t want to do. They understand that rules exist and that most people chose to obey them, yet they are determined to make their own rules. They also know very well what others expect from them. Yet, they hate caving-in to the will of others or society in general. They can bring themselves do something others want them to do when they agree with what is being asked of them, but they will not subordinate their wills to any “higher power.” Some researchers have observed that the most severely disordered characters have such a disgust for feeling obliged that they habitually refuse to accept obligation. Their habitually defiant thinking breeds deep-seated attitudes of rebelliousness, disdain for authority, and antagonism toward social obligation. Such thinking makes it almost impossible to develop a sense of duty in the civic, marital, relationship, and other arenas.
Other articles by Dr George Simon, PhD
This article was last reviewed by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on Monday, 2nd February 2009. You can leave a reply below.
The URL of this page is:
http://counsellingresource.com/features/2009/02/02/undaunted-and-defiant-thinking/
3rd February 2009
Hi George,
Their habitually defiant thinking breeds deep-seated attitudes of rebelliousness, disdain for authority, and antagonism toward social obligation. Such thinking makes it almost impossible to develop a sense of duty in the civic, marital, relationship, and other arenas.
This is a informitive article and often explains why these character disordered people don’t show up for help around the globe. Often it’s court ordered which is much different that recognizing their need for help and wanting it for them selves and theor families.
4th February 2009
This site has saved my life! My boyfriend of 22 years – we have 6 children won’t work, won’t help with kids in morning-when I’m at work (has taken them to school late – at two different schools kids have had 22 tardies & referrals for truancy), has endless trouble with tickets, (pages of them!) utility companies, let’s dog poop in neighbors yard, has been fired 3x’s in 4 years (of course he says not his fault, so he never learns any lessons). We’ve had endless irrationale, delusional arguments about these things – not to mention he’s a flirt & loves to humiliate me in front of other women, blames me and tries to convince me and others that I’m crazy etc…Anyways, I’m putting my life back together as fast as I can so I can end this HELL I’ve been living in for far too many years. I’m saving my life & my childrens and able to keep my blood pressure under control by understanding that with this guy that even though to others he tries to be ultra boyish smooth & charming to others but is a very, very, very sick & disturbed person. Everyday is a struggle but, Thank you for helping me to just begin to see the light!
14th February 2009
Hi Anadi,
I think one of the most important things this article mentions is the fact that disturbed characters will invariably put the blame on others.
“They” are “never wrong,” it’s the other person who is “wrong” or it’s the other person’s “fault.”
Failing to accept they could possibly be wrong themselves makes it highly unlikely that they will correct their behavior or even mind to understand other people’s point of view. They have their own viewpoint and they actually believe they are “always right.”
Take care of yourself and your children. All the best.
3rd March 2009
I am beginning to teach a cognitive thinking class in a prison. I need all the information and help I can get. My students exhibit all the problem areas discussed here.
29th July 2009
You say “but they will not subordinate their wills to any “higher power.†Subordinating your will implies being possessed (vindictive triumph). Conforming to a “higher power” would be a more appropriate statement. A former psychopathic boss spent months trying to mentally crush me with verbal abuse in order to “possess” me, ie trying to get me to ditch my mind and allow him to control my mental processes. And why did he try this unless he had successes in the past. Writings should be clear and unambiguous in this regard.
30th July 2009
Hi, Ken. I’m not sure how you derived your meaning for subordinating will. The roots of the words are mostly from the Latin (ordinalis – “order” as in rank) German, Old English and even Dutch (willen, wollen – “desire”) and the generally accepted meaning is to give one’s own wants secondary importance to that of the greater good or a higher authority. While I agree with you that no one should be the object of “possession” by a psychopath, the words were carefully and accurately chosen.
The word conform comes from Old French and Latin as well and literally means to make one thing like another. The generally accepted meanings can include acquiescence as well as blind submission and following the crowd. I didn’t use that word on purpose.
I do my best to make my writings clear, unambiguous, and accurate. Sometimes I fail. I know I’m not a perfect writer. And it’s always impossible to know in advance what someone else’s understanding of words might be. But this time I chose my words very deliberately, and according to reputable sources, quite accurately. : )
31st July 2009
((Sigh)) The “Art” of Writing :)
And you can also add the cultural issues, as well. In Spanish, we have to choose our words quite carefully, lest we offend someone because that word means something completely different in their country. Regarding English, I remember a woman from Philadelphia called another one a “broad,” and while I thought that was offensive, they both explained to me it was slang for woman, but not offensive in “Philly”… Same with terms like “redneck”, I believe, depends on the context or intention. How incredibly rich our languages are! And how much confusion they can cause, too!
31st July 2009
Yes, sometimes the “art” is more like “torture.” It’s bad enough that in this global age different cultures might interpret a piece in a much different manner than the writer intended. To add insult to injury, there’s the dreaded possibility that the writer her/himself will look back on something labored over for weeks and muse “What in the *(&^&!! was I thinking?!”