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The emotional plague is not an expression of conscious ill will or designed brutality. The structural character of the plague made its effects the more dangerous. Emotional plague is a character trait like cleanliness or deligence or truthfulness. It is biopathic behavior lived out on the social scene in interhuman relationships. The energy source of the emotional plague reactions is basically sexual frustration combined with a keen aggressiveness.

Wilhelm Reich#60

PsychologyRelationshipsAggressionEmotionsHealthSocial behavior

About this quote

What does it mean?
He describes an 'emotional plague' driven by sexual frustration and aggression, likening it to a character trait.
In plain terms
Emotional plague is a harmful trait caused by frustration and aggression.
What can you take from it?
Unresolved personal tensions can damage social relationships.

Where it applies

  • interpersonal conflict
  • group tension

Putting it to work

  • address sexual health
  • manage aggression

Questions to consider

  • Can such a plague be measured?
  • What interventions help?

Another view

The concept is vague and lacks scientific backing.

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