Victoria Siewnarine-Geelalsingh, clinical psychologist and secretary of the TT Association of Psychologists

Motivational speaking is one tool that could help people change their behaviour, even violent or criminal behaviour, but it has its limits.

Clinical psychologist and secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Psychologists Victoria Siewnarine-Geelalsingh said motivational speaking has two delivery methods, with one being more effective than the other.

One is when the speaker minimises people’s problems and believes they could give solutions to any problem, saying things like, “Just get up. Just do it.”

But, she said, change is not as easy as “just,” as it requires thought and behaviour change, the regulation of emotions and generally a lot of intentional effort.

“There are some motivational speakers whose delivery methods seem as though they’re attacking you or challenging you to change your behaviour. And depending on the personality of the person receiving it, that could be problematic,” she told Sunday Newsday.

The method that produces more positive outcomes is the one in which the speaker has overcome challenges and genuinely wants to help others make it through their challenges. They show others the possibilities of what could be, and want to spread hope.

Siewnarine-Geelalsingh said the criminal mindset of most people stems from a feeling of a lack of control in their environment and/or a low sense of self-worth. At some point in their lives they were often rejected, neglected or blamed for things that were not their fault.

“The lack of control probably comes from being bullied by those who would have been the authority figures or the primary caregivers in their own lives when they were younger.

“Probably they were told what to do, they were told how to do it, their emotions were not validated or they were called names when they were much younger. They had no control in their environment.”

As they grew older, sought control of other things, which may have resulted in bullying, conduct disorders, juvenile delinquency and general disregard for others, which may become worse as they get older.

In addition, people with low self-worth usually have a low sense of self-competence and are less likely to try because they believe they cannot succeed. If they need something, they may not believe they can ask for and get it without being harassed or abused. As a result, in order to protect themselves, they take instead of asking.

“The first time, it would have started as a thought. And this thought rehearses until there’s courage. And when there’s courage, then that thought manifests into behaviours. And the first time they do it, it’s sort of the icebreaker. It becomes easier every time after that.

“So what we see as this criminal being this confident, bad, mean, hostile, don’t-care-about-people kind of person, starts off as a very weak, taken-advantage-of, made-to-feel-inferior, inadequate and unimportant, rejected person. In their minds, that was what they had to do.”

Siewnarine-Geelalsingh said three things need to happen in the minds of the audience for behaviour modification. They need to feel a sense of belonging, that someone understands them; they need an alternative perspective, a glimpse of what they could have been and done; and they need hope.

Even with those key ingredients, issues such as language and delivery, environment, and mental and emotional challenges can limit the effectiveness of motivational speaking.

She said some people may not have issues severe enough to be diagnosed, but everyone has mental challenges at some point. They have to be willing and ready to look at and examine themselves.

Also, she said, someone could be trying their best to do what is right but those around them could antagonise, pressure or otherwise try to derail the one trying to improve, pulling them back into a criminal or violent lifestyle.

“So if you’re unable to change your environment, as much as you want to, as much as you try, as much motivation as you have, as many opportunities you have, the environment has a way of pulling you back in, especially if it’s a matter of survival.”

In addition, it is often difficult for people who tried very hard to be loved and accepted to put themselves in a vulnerable position again.

For example, she said, a class bully or troublemaker could build up the courage to do something good, but someone may make a sarcastic comment or their efforts may be ignored, making them feel stupid or embarrassed.

“So what that means is the little effort that they mustered up all of their courage to try to change was shut down. They made themselves vulnerable and then they became embarrassed.

“This is why therapy is so important, because in the therapeutic space, it’s actually a safe environment where people can practice alternate behaviours. It is extremely important in rehabilitating a lot of the youths who engage in oppositional or criminal behaviour.”

In her sessions she practices role-playing exercises exploring the possible reactions of those around her client and appropriate responses, so when it happens in real life, it does not throw them off because they have a practised response ready.

She believes that, in treating crime, youths especially should be treated with empathy and compassion rather than punishment and consequences.

Credit – Newsday Newspaper, (newsday.co.tt)
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