psychologist, CBT therapist, therapeutic group leader, candidate of psychological sciences
“A marginal person is a person who finds himself on the border of different social groups, systems, cultures and is influenced by their contradictory norms and values. He seems to have been thrown overboard and excluded from all public institutions. But one must understand that finding himself in such a situation is a conscious choice of a person and not forced circumstances, as many might think.”
What we will tell you about:
History of the term
The term “marginal person” was coined by the famous sociologist Robert Erza Park in 1928. He studied the problems of maladaptation of American immigrants in the early 20th century. The sociologist was interested not only in the behavior of these people, but also in their origins, their self-identification, and their role in society.
Park highlighted the positive characteristics of marginalized people: freedom, neutrality, ability to change and adaptability. He considered them to be more civilized and advanced, especially open to change.
The term is often used in the context of social exclusion. We are talking here about structural marginality with a negative connotation. Then a person finds himself “on the edge” and risks reaching the bottom of society.
However, marginality should not be confused with lumpenization. These are two different concepts. The marginalized are a group that rejects certain values and traditions of the culture in which they arise. Lumpenization characterizes people who have sunk to the bottom of social life: homeless people, beggars, vagabonds.
Photo: PixelsEffect / istockphoto.com
Reasons for the emergence of marginalized people.
The causes of borderline behavior are often related to childhood experiences, anxiety, and danger. From a psychoanalytic perspective, marginalized people often grew up in conditions of emotional instability. This has led to the belief that intimacy is dangerous.
An unfavourable family environment plays a major role in the formation of marginalised people. For a child, home is a fundamental source of security and emotional stability. When it becomes a place of unpredictability and threat, it produces a powerful traumatic effect.
In such conditions, the child’s psyche often chooses one of two possible forms of defense: internalization (belief in one’s own unworthiness) or outsourcing (perception of the world as hostile). In both cases, emotional isolation develops, making it difficult to build healthy relationships and trust others.
As an adult, such a person begins to perceive people as resources that can be used. There is no emotional involvement in this consumer attitude. As soon as the resource is exhausted, the marginalized person easily “spits” the person out, as if it were gum that has lost its flavor.
Let’s analyze the topic together with a psychologist:
What is self-esteem and how to improve it? Signs of overestimation and underestimation.
Lifestyles of the marginalized
Marginalized people lead contradictory lives, which they often attribute to disillusionment with the world. In fact, this is not the case. If we delve deeper into the psychological portrait of the marginalized, we will discover that their disappointment lies not in the world as a whole, but in their close relationships.
Marginalized people are at the intersection of different groups and face social conflicts. But they do not usually experience psychological distress. These people do not experience cognitive dissonance, do not worry about their lack of inclusion, and are indifferent to the fact that they do not belong to any of the groups.
Sometimes marginalized people join contradictory communities. For example, they may be vegetarians and at the same time help out on a farm where they raise broiler chickens for the mass market. Being in such an internal conflict gives them a specific pleasure.
Photo: skynesher / istockphoto.com
The influence of marginalized people in society
One of the key characteristics of outcasts is the inability to feel the pain of others. Difficulties in recognizing the emotions of others are due to their own feelings being blocked. This coldness is reminiscent of psychopathic traits, where detachment is perceived as cruelty.
Defense mechanisms sometimes help marginalized people to adapt in certain areas. For example, in business. The desire for autonomy and emotional detachment allows them to focus on achieving goals, ignoring the feelings of others. Psychologically, it is a defense mechanism that prevents painful attachments, but it negatively affects interpersonal relationships.
Marginalized people with borderline traits may display aggression, commit antisocial acts, suffer from affective disorders and self-destructive addictions. Socialization and adaptation to everyday life are difficult for them and cause constant crises.
In more severe cases, clinical assistance, long-term psychotherapy and drug treatment are required, as the psyche can no longer cope with internal conflicts and needs professional support.
Let’s look at all the intricacies of the method:
A powerful technique that heals the psyche. We tell you all about rewriting
Do you want to receive more tips and tricks for a healthy lifestyle?
Subscribe to the weekly Lifestyle newsletter.
Subscribe by email
