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Surfeit of attractive information inputs: A Hallmark of our environment
Author(s) -
Lipowski Z. J.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 0005-7940
DOI - 10.1002/bs.3830160506
Subject(s) - confusion , alienation , unrest , feeling , coping (psychology) , psychology , social psychology , psychosocial , salient , social unrest , political science , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , politics , psychoanalysis , law
Abstract A set of principles are presented relating to the effects of a salient feature of the social environment prevalent in affluent, industrial societies. It is proposed that such societies provide their members with a surfeit or overload of attractive information inputs. Such inputs arouse appetitive responses and approach tendencies in the recipients. One consequence of this is that many persons suffer from a high degree of psychological conflict among incompatible alternative options. Such conflict may be psychologically stressful and provoke coping strategies to reduce the intensity of ensuing unpleasant feelings and frustration. The psychosocial effects of both the stimulus surfeit per se, the resulting conflicts and failure of their successful resolution are serious and widespread. It is postulated that these consequences are most far‐reaching for contemporary youth and contribute to the alienation, unrest, and confusion which is common among them. This conclusion calls into question the capacity of the affluent society to survive the psychosocial complications of its own making.