A foundation is designed to be the first layer to stabilize a structure, but what happens when sanity has to be built on insanity? What happens when the Psyche is forced to use its own cracks to hold itself together?
The logic of architecture is physics. A structure cannot negotiate with gravity, its stability depends on the principles that govern its construction.
Maybe the Psyche operates at a similar logic. Just as architecture obeys the laws of physics, the Psyche must obey the laws of its own building atoms. A Psyche may achieve equilibrium but what happens when those building blocks operate on maladaptive mechanics?
Humans possess different drives. Some are rooted in biology, while others emerge through our interactions with the social world in pursuit of belonging, recognition, validation, status, acceptance, etc. These drives towards social encounters reveal something significant about human nature: a lot of our drives are largely emotionally influenced. For the sake of painting a clearer picture , let me be bold and say social drives are to a great extent the epiphenomenon(secondary phenomenon) of emotional drives.
From this point we can begin to realise that the calculations of our values are not by reason alone, but by the emotional weight that accompanies our experiences. We move towards what feels psychologically meaningful, what reinforces our values, beliefs, and most importantly our identity. Identity is therefore formed through a relational friction with the world. This raises a question : What determines what has greater Psychic value?
To explore the nature of Psychic values, I'm going to use a passage from Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche to support my inquiry:
“ In my studies of the phenomena of association I have shown that there are certain constellations of psychic elements grouped round feeling-toned contents, which I have called “complexes.” The feeling-toned content, the complex, consists of a nuclear element and a large number of secondarily constellated associations. The nuclear element consists of two components: first, a factor determined by experience and causally related to the environment; second, a factor innate in the individual’s character and determined by his disposition.” (P. 22)
— [Carl Jung, Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche (The collected works of C. G. Jung, Volume 8)]This suggests that the Psyche operates on the interaction between a core theme(could be identity, gender, religion, worldview, etc) and related associations like memories and specific emotions. These Interactions have different emotional charges and it seems the intesity and kind of emotion around a core theme is the first insight into discovering one's complexes.
Taking identity as a core (nucleus) element for an example :
If identity is one possible organizing nucleus, then one's beliefs and values plus a way of responding to and interpreting the world unite around it. The dynamic nature of identity then becomes clearer: Psychic value seems to emerge partly from a continual friction between an individual and the outside world. Some experiences then acquire greater emotional significance than others. This is where I think foundational elements of identity, what I like to call building atoms of the Psyche are formed.
Let's now turn to Dostoevsky’s Underground man and analyse the fractured basis of his Psyche.
There is a valence in every behaviour, which is a pull towards or away from experience. Positive and negative valence influence what we embrace or avoid. The underground man has a twisted relationship with valence. He finds a dark positive valence in negative experiences, he gets pulled to what normally causes avoidance , which makes his suffering psychologically valuable. This creates the logical basis of his equilibrium and the ground upon which he constructs his spiteful philosophy.
He values being right and intellectually superior and perceives himself as simultaneously superior and inferior. These are the values laid on his foundation and to balance his architecture, he continuously contradicts every rational thing. A toothache becomes an opportunity to torment others, provocation becomes a weapon and proof of his will over himself.
All this to declare himself as above being a mere "piano key" of the laws of nature. His identity as a "sick and spiteful man" becomes static so much that any dynamic outside force that is capable of disturbing that identity is seen as a threat. Old school mates trying reconnect over a farewell dinner, unconditional positive regard from his servant and a love interest are perceived as the biggest threat to who he is. This causes him to be hostile to prevent the foundations of his identity from crumbling down .
Seeking relief from pain or moving towards human connection would require movement in his static identity so he always contradicts to balance the equilibrium of his identity. The nameless character is strongly driven to a reward system but the dark part is that the system rewards him my confirming the negative views he has of himself. Another indication of his foundational fracture is him never mentioning his name -the first layer of identity.
Which brings me to my last question:
If a Psyche can stabilize itself around unhealthy principles , what then makes something maladaptive?