The Cost of Consciousness

In last week's episode of EZ Conversations, I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Dr. Fred Moss (Listen Here), and we discussed his vast experience in psychiatry. While the aspect of medications associated with mental health disorders may seem controversial, Dr. Fred shared many insights on why he believes there is misinformation related to the field of Psychiatry. However, at the root of it all, Dr. Fred touched on the cost of working in the system to his physical health, where he had an aorta split in 2023. He touched on all the years he was prescribing medication, where he conflicted with himself, splitting his heart in two. But that is the human condition in itself; there is a cost to consciousness whether we believe it or not, this idea of being unable to pretend we cannot see once we have seen something.

As I continued to reflect on this aspect of consciousness and see parallels in my personal life, I realized that there truly is a cost associated with turning away from what we believe to be true and ignoring it. It may not always surface as a physical manifestation, but it does more often than not. I also read Dostoevsky's Notes From the Underground, which explores the same idea. Although the Underground Man speaks of the human condition as choosing to suffer, it is because logic and reasoning cannot simply satisfy humans. There is a deeper meaning to life; however, that can also come at the cost of feeling isolated when they embark on a path that is not one of finding comfort and all the luxuries conformity can offer. Therefore, in this week's edition, I wanted to explore the role of consciousness and the hidden cost of not living according to our moral values.

The Psychological Toll of Inaction

1. Cognitive Dissonance and Emotional Distress

Cognitive dissonance theory, first introduced by Leon Festinger (1957), suggests that when individuals recognize an issue but fail to act, they experience psychological discomfort. Studies show that those who are aware of systemic injustices but feel powerless to change them often suffer from anxiety, guilt, and learned helplessness (Mikulincer, 1988).

2. The Bystander Effect and Moral Injury

The bystander effect, identified by Darley and Latané (1968), suggests that group members are less likely to intervene in crises due to diffusion of responsibility. When applied to systemic issues, this creates widespread passivity. Moreover, moral injury—psychological distress resulting from failing to prevent harm (Litz et al., 2009)—can arise when people realize they could have acted but did not.

The Societal Cost of Collective Inaction

1. Systemic Reinforcement of the Status Quo

Research by Jost, Banaji, and Nosek (2004) highlights system justification theory, which suggests that even those who recognize injustice may unconsciously defend the existing system, fearing instability or personal loss. This perpetuates inequality and prevents meaningful change.

2. Normalization of Harm

The more prolonged systemic problems persist without intervention, the more society normalizes them. A study by Kteily and Bruneau (2017) found that individuals exposed to persistent injustice develop emotional numbness, reducing their likelihood to advocate for change.

Breaking the Cycle: Consciousness into Action

1. Small, Meaningful Actions: Research by Amabile and Kramer (2011) in The Progress Principle suggests that even minor contributions toward systemic change can boost psychological well-being and encourage sustained action.
2. Community Engagement: Collective action mitigates the bystander effect. McAdam's (1986) work on social movements demonstrates that people are more likely to engage in activism when they see others doing the same.
3. Self-Compassion to Combat Moral Injury: Neff (2003) argues that self-compassion reduces guilt and fosters resilience, making it easier to take action without feeling overwhelmed.

References

• Amabile, T. M., & Kramer, S. J. (2011). The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work. Harvard Business Review Press.
• Darley, J. M., & Latané, B. (1968). "Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8(4), 377-383.
• Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press.
• Jost, J. T., Banaji, M. R., & Nosek, B. A. (2004). "A decade of system justification theory: Accumulated evidence of conscious and unconscious bolstering of the status quo." Political Psychology, 25(6), 881-919.
• Kteily, N., & Bruneau, E. (2017). "Backlash: The psychology of economic inequality and political division." Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 21(6), 490-503.
• Litz, B. T., et al. (2009). "Moral injury and moral repair in war veterans: A preliminary model and intervention strategy." Clinical Psychology Review, 29(8), 695-706.
• McAdam, D. (1986). "Recruitment to high-risk activism: The case of freedom summer." American Journal of Sociology, 92(1), 64-90.
• Mikulincer, M. (1988). "Cognitive and affective components of learned helplessness." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 55(3), 451-458.
• Neff, K. (2003). "Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself." Self and Identity, 2(2), 85-101.