Psychological decompensation

[Manfred Belheim]

Stress does not disintegrate a personality, it reveals it.

That sounds like one of those motivational gym mottos.

 

[BvBPL]

Heywood Broun close enough?

 

[TheMeInTeam]

Stress does not disintegrate a personality, it reveals it.

Environmental factors alter how the mind works outright. Some more than others. Extended stress doesn't just "reveal" personality. It can alter it.

For an obvious illustration think along the lines of PTSD. Absent the conditions that caused a person such a negative experience, you can reasonably conclude they would not ever act the same as they're acting after the traumatic event.

I suspect many want to have a strong sense of self, to believe that this stuff won't alter them, because the idea is scary and has logical implications that aren't so nice.

 

[Farm Boy]

the idea is scary and has logical implications that aren't so nice.

Spoiler Unpleasant language in parts, unpleasant images :

Particularly of interest from 3:36 to 3:58. Helps put in perspective exactly what the spirituals are, why they are the way they are, and just how deeply moving it is that they are essentially the foundation of most/all quintessentially American music.