TOWARDS THE FORMULATION OF THE PROBLEM OF "PATHOLOGY OF LANGUAGE PERSONALITY"«

Myskin S.V.

Moscow City Pedagogical University
Russia, Moscow
E-mail: myskinsv@mgpu.ru

The concept of "pathology of linguistic personality" is, above all, intriguing due to its semantic connotations. Indeed, the phenomenon of linguistic personality is a scientific treasure trove of linguistics, and the term "pathology" always evokes the reader's connection to the fields of psychiatry, pathopsychology, and clinical psychology. Linguists interpret linguistic personality as a model, a construct for analyzing the speech of a specific author, with the goal of identifying the sociocultural and personal factors that influenced the form and style of their work, their choice of era, plots, and characterization. Mental pathology is a mental disorder resulting from brain disease [2]. These concepts would seem incompatible. However, the author offers his own original perspective on the relationship between clinical and linguistic phenomena.

In the history of science, the emergence of a new theory, concept, or phenomenon arising at the intersection of related scientific fields is not uncommon. This is how, for example, mathematical linguistics, space genetics, organizational psychology, etc. emerged. A.R. Luria's neurolinguistics is an example close to the problem we are discussing [7]. All these areas of scientific knowledge have evolved from the stage of accumulating facts and empirical data to the stages of conceptual generalization and the formulation of conceptual propositions. The idea of "pathology of linguistic personality" also arose as a result of the analysis and systematization of various facts, characteristics, and transformations inherent in the modern conditions of our lives. And the specificity of today's life is such that "the modern world can be called the world of Language" [9, p. 16]. The rapid computerization of human interaction on a global scale, the introduction of breakthrough digital technologies into their communication, have created special conditions for the functioning of language. The linguistic sign, word, and text have acquired and strengthened the representative function of the subject in various information and communication situations. Consequently, psychological volume of the spoken word, Or, in other words, the volume of the simulacrum, according to J. Baudrillard, has grown. While in the pre-digital era, the meaning of a message was supplemented by non-verbal components and the immediate image of the author, in the digital and remote era, the mechanisms of semantic perception are undergoing a transformation [3]. The "center of gravity" in verbal influence shifts from the use of non-linguistic signs inherent in face-to-face communication to the linguistic means and speech techniques employed. After all, in face-to-face communication, participants always have the opportunity to physically regulate their joint activity. Communication mediated by information technology, however, requires communicators to formulate their thoughts in such a way that the meaning remains unchanged until the result of their joint activity is achieved.

Of course, human communication has not lost its immediacy, but the emerging information and communication environment has altered the nature of this process. It must be acknowledged that verbal messages (written or oral) have increased their persuasive and motivating potential, and this has extended to all forms of communication. This circumstance has led to the emergence of destructive facts and phenomena that require serious interdisciplinary analysis. For example, telephone scammers use entire sets of speech patterns and induce victims to voluntarily hand over their savings. It is objectively clear that the victim's perception of the imaginary situation is achieved only through verbal influence. Similar mechanisms are activated in victims of sects, destructive cults, and terrorist organizations. Under the influence of speech (outside of direct contact with the recruiter), the adherents' consciousness is transformed, and the world appears in entirely different, inadequate images. Of course, the examples given do not reflect the entire spectrum of destructive speech in modern life. However, the phenomenon of consciousness destruction described above is inherent in virtually any such situation.

The distortion of consciousness arises in the context of specific communication, in which the addresser (initiator) demonstrates the full potential of developing the ability to produce stimulating texts that lead to the destruction of the recipient's consciousness, to their "pathology." We encounter an example of such texts when analyzing the speech of an abuser:

«Don't meet up with your friends, and you can't go to your mom's in the neighboring town! You went to a cafe with colleagues after work!?! Are you out of your mind!?

You're dressed up like a scarecrow! What's that on your face? War paint?!

Who did you say hello to? A colleague? Did you have something with him?!? Are you cheating on me?!

Come to me, my tenderness!!! (After a while) Why are you sitting here, cow! You're preventing me from concentrating!!!…».

Texts from scammers also fall into this category of destructive communication.

«Hello!.. Are you Smirnov Alexander Alexandrovich?.. Operator of the central branch of the bank RUTB... Information has been received that fraudsters are currently trying to withdraw money from your account... Yes, exactly "Your savings account is being hacked now... We need to hurry... Tell me, are we going to block the account?.. Yes, urgently!.. How much money is there now?.. If you start receiving text messages now, then let me know immediately so I can block them!.. What does the message say?.. Tell me the numbers... Quickly!.."»

The author of such texts essentially immerses themselves in their own words, forcing them to construct a non-existent self-image in their minds. For example, the abuser views themselves as a total expert on life, as the ultimate authority over their spouse and children. Moreover, the success of their verbal influence reinforces these perceptions, and then comes a point when the recipient—the subject of the influence—becomes hostage to this fictitious image, as happens when constructing an ideological text. In turn, the recipient uncritically accepts the addresser's fictitious self-image, the meanings of which compel them to act against their will, contrary to their actual needs. Such are, for example, the texts of a victim of abuse.

 

«Well, he’s having a hard time at work right now… He’s probably really nervous about his new boss… It’s really painful… but, you have to be patient… Everything will be fine for him soon…»

The above allows us to focus the reader's attention on the following: Modern conditions contribute to the emergence of specific communicative situations in which the effect is observed the primacy of language over human subjectivity. This thesis contains fundamental prerequisites for further study of the relationship between language and personality, setting the general research vector: the psychological effects of the generation and perception of speech messages leading to the destruction, the "pathology" of consciousness, can be analyzed from the standpoint of the theory of linguistic personality of Yu.N. Karaulov [5], the theory of speech activity of A.A. Leontiev [6], the principles of semantic perception of I.A. Zimnyaya [3], the experimental psychosemantics of V.F. Petrenko [11], as well as some provisions of neurolinguistics of A.R. Luria [7] and the rational-emotional-behavioral concept of A. Ellis [13]. It is precisely this comprehensive view of the communicative realities of the modern world that determined the introduction of the concept of "pathology of linguistic personality" into scientific discourse.

 

Signs of pathology of linguistic personality

Previously, we described in detail the essence and manifestations of the pathology of linguistic personality [10]. Let us briefly present the introduced formulations.

First, let's look at the definition of the concept of "pathological linguistic personality." It is a set of psychological characteristics that determine irrational semantic perception, as well as the generation of pathogenic precedent texts with such influencing characteristics that contribute to the narrowing and "flattening" of recipients' consciousness, leading to its pathological functioning. Pathological linguistic personality arises from disturbances in a person's need-motivational sphere and manifests itself in destructive speech and other speech manifestations of pathogenic texts. It should be noted that the phenomenon of linguistic personality can only be understood through a holistic consideration of the subject and object of speech influence. The essence of the concept is the texts generated and perceived, as well as their significance for communicants.

Thus, a pathological linguistic personality distorts the perception of objective reality, produces corresponding pathogenic texts, and presents them to communication partners, "infecting" them with irrationality. This approach allows us to identify the following signs of pathological linguistic personality:

– violations of the subject’s need-motivational sphere contribute to an irrational interpretation of objective reality and, as a consequence, the formation of precedent texts, the pathogenicity of which is manifested, first of all, in the semantic inadequacy of real life circumstances;

– the precedent of a pathogenic text activates in the subject the psychological mechanisms of irreversibility of the irrational interpretation of objective reality;

– the increased impact potential of a pathogenic precedent text has a destructive, «pathological» effect on the consciousness of recipients, which causes the loss of subjectivity by all participants in communication, i.e. the demonstration of behavior that is inappropriate to their actual needs, but dictated by imaginary, objectively non-existent stimuli.

Summarizing the identified features, it is possible to designate a pathogenic text as an object of research analysis of the pathology of linguistic personality.

Psycholinguistic mechanisms of the pathogenicity of speech messages

The identification and definition of pathogenic features of the text, as well as the disclosure of the mechanisms of its functioning, is an urgent task of our analysis.

As noted above, the need-motivational sphere determines the processes of generating and perceiving speech messages. A.R. Luria notes in this regard: "motive stands at the origins of utterance" [7, p. 28]. The motive of the activity in which verbal communication unfolds determines all possible relationships underlying the word and also imparts subjective (affective) meaning to the utterance. It is known that it is not superficial syntactic structures that determine the meaning of an utterance, but its motive, subtext, context, and prosodic structures. Consequently, a disruption of motivation alters the entire transition from thought to word.

Before analyzing the signs of a text's pathogenicity, it is necessary to understand the nature of the motivational disturbances that lead to the pathology of the linguistic personality. Clinical psychology has described in detail the classifications and types of motivational disturbances (disorders). The following can be considered the most general: disturbances of 1) the content of motivation, 2) the frequency, intensity, and stability, 3) the quality of motivation. With regard to the problem under discussion, all of the identified classes seem appropriate. Content disorders include impulses that deviate from the norm (in our case, social). For example, causing harm to people or to humanity in general. Fraud contains precisely such a motivational basis. Increased intensity of any motivation, its frequency of manifestation, and inadequate stability in various life situations undermine all other motives of the individual, creating a "one-sided" view of the surrounding world. For example, this could characterize the inner motivational world of a religious fanatic or terrorist. The quality of motivation depends on the subject's rational and reflexive processes. Qualitative disorders manifest themselves either in a lack of control over one's impulses (impulsivity, reactivity) or in excessive control. An example here is the motivation of bullying participants: the bully exhibits field-dependent behavior, while the victim displays excessive fixation on the current social situation. Summarizing the above, the following characteristics of needs-motivational disorders leading to linguistic personality pathology can be identified: maximization of incentive "force," excessive focus, and affective subordination of cognitive and reflective processes.

Next, we will consider the possible psycholinguistic mechanisms for the formation of a pathogenic text, triggered by the above-described violations of the need-motivational sphere of the individual.

Psycholinguistics holds the fundamental premise that communication is a process aimed at organizing joint activities [8; 12]. We engage in communication to agree on a joint undertaking. When communicating, we verbalize our thoughts and ideas in such a way that they are not only understandable to our partner but also convey the intended meaning. Our partner, perceiving our words and focusing on lexical and grammatical signs, constructs their own meaning. This process can be described as semantic co-creation. Literacy and the semantic adequacy of message construction and the entire communication process ensure similarity and a combination of meanings between communicants, but not their identity. Similarity of meanings is the key to effective joint activity.

When the need-motivational sphere is disrupted, the external structure of the speech message remains intact, but its motives, semantic connections, and underlying grammatical structures change. For example, a teacher's professional speech is deformed under the influence of chronic emotional stress at the semantic, lexical, and grammatical levels. Moreover, these changes are unconsciously absorbed by all participants in the pedagogical situation, including students. At the semantic level, this is expressed by the use of terms of semantic non-exclusivity and obligation: «"This can't be!!! This will never happen! Without a doubt, this is how it must be!", «"This should be as clear as day to everyone," "I'm sure," "I make the rules here."». The superphrasal unity of the statement is violated: ««"Love for one's homeland begins in childhood, when a person begins to appreciate the places where they were born and raised, their customs, books, and culture. That's why our country is multinational and multicultural." Syncretic associations appear: «"Your school uniform will be glad to see you," "My house liked my daily routine,", «"Make your breakfast like a movie"; "The textbook is like the teacher"». Signs of perseveration are detected: «"Morning exercises are usually done in the morning," "School uniform in an educational institution"» [4]. Changes occurring at a deep level contribute to the establishment of chaotic, illogical connections between internal experiences and objective reality. It can be assumed that the semantic recording of the future message is formed syncretically. As a result, an inadequate picture of the world is formed. Thus, substantive, semantic inadequacy appears first A hallmark of a pathogenic text. Due to the obligatory nature of the need for communication, as well as the social conditioning of one's existence, a person is forced to interact with others. Moreover, the apparent uniqueness of one's own worldview enhances the psychological power of the text. Importantly, a person with a pathological linguistic personality does not seek collaborative activities, but creates multiple subject-object communication situations. For them, another person is primarily a consumer of their thoughts, ideas, and texts. Consciously or not, a pathological linguistic personality stimulates reactive speech behavior in all participants in the communication. After all, if reflection is allowed on what is heard, the text and the meanings contained within will be subject to serious criticism and will not be perceived. Therefore, a pathogenic text must be perceived as a whole, as an indivisible object, not subject to doubt. second a sign of pathogenic text. Third A sign is that for a text to be fully understood, it must be focused on the listener's basic, vital needs. Catastrophism, time constraints, declarative language, and other linguistic and speech techniques used in communication call into question people's safety, the stability of their lives, the preservation of relationships with loved ones, the ability to develop, and meet their basic needs.

So, the psycholinguistic features of a pathogenic text are:

– the presence of syncretic connections between the subjective attitude to the external world and objective reality;

– the predominance of form over content, i.e. the linguistic material excludes the possibility of the recipient constructing his own meanings (theoretical or practical), but stimulates the perception of it as a whole, indivisible object that only needs to be evaluated and consumed;

– the use of linguistic means in the text that are not aimed at forming higher meanings, but rather influence lower, basic needs.

Taken together, the above characteristics create pathogenic conditions for the destruction of the multidimensional categorical system of the recipient’s individual consciousness, the risk of its «narrowing» and pathological functioning.

Psychohermeneutics examines various forms of texts and their relationships. Traditionally, a distinction is made between precedent, topical, and intertext. A precedent text is, in essence, a primary source, significant for a specific culture or community. A topical text is directly presented for perception. Intertext is the semantic content that is formed in the recipient through the interaction of precedent and topical texts. This, perhaps, reveals the essence of semantic co-creation. A pathological linguistic personality, as we noted above, does not strive for co-creation. Its motive is the achievement of complete semantic identity among "adepts." Such a person requires a total semantic generalization of others so that their structures of consciousness uncritically align with his or her worldview. And the condition for this is the fusion, the semantic synchronization of precedent, topical, and intertext. We designate this phenomenon as language absorption effect, arising as a result of the psychological intensification of the generalizing function of speech.

Conclusion

Formulating and addressing the problem of linguistic personality pathology is a complex task. The reasons for this complexity are manifold: the distance between psychological and linguistic sciences, the applied "weakness" of theories and concepts, the cultural "gap" between generations of scholars, the absence or parochial nature of humanities schools, and so on. However, the contemporary realities of our lives inspire confidence in the promise of Russian humanities, the discovery of new fundamental knowledge about human speakers, and the emergence of significant scientific schools, among which, in our humble opinion, can be counted the school of linguistic personality psychology.

Literature

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