Emotional Triggers of Social Division: Exploring Destructive Psychological States
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This paper proposes the hypothesis that the social divisions seen in contemporary society are not primarily caused by ideological or intellectual conflicts, but rather by emotional and neuropsychological reactions referred to as "states." Destructive psychological states, such as the "leftist state" and the "neoliberal state," differ from ideologies in that they are formed through emotional shocks or success experiences and often lead to hostility and exclusion toward others. Social media and modern media environments serve to amplify these states, weakening the moderating influence of the silent majority and reinforcing societal division. From the perspectives of psychology and neuroscience, this study explores the potential to model such states and suggests that scientific validation could pave the way for new forms of social intervention. Furthermore, it argues that these states can be intentionally created and propagated through education and cultural messaging. In an age of polarization, recognizing and addressing these emotional states is essential for rebuilding constructive dialogue and social cohesion.
