Michael Streppa Explains Psychology Behind City Rebuilding

NEW YORK, NY, August 07, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Huffington Post reports that the vacant buildings and destruction throughout Detroit is a symptom of a more significant problem--the emotion that runs the city. In the article, Richey Piiparinen explains how emotion can impact and, ultimately, dictate the success of a city. Dr. Michael Streppa, a psychological professional, agrees that emotion plays a substantial role in the building of an urban community.

Dr. Michael Streppa asserts that the blatant negativity supported by national media outlets is, largely, to blame for the urban decline that Detroit has experienced. The constant attention to negative emotions in a way primes people to respond more strongly to these feelings. But Dr. Streppa believes this is something that can be turned around. In fact, turning this predisposition to negativity around is key in successful city rebuilding.

"People act on emotion," comments Dr. Michael Streppa. "Change the emotion and you change the outcome. Unfortunately, we are bombarded every day by negativity, tragedy, loss, victimization, decline, and conflict. That is what makes 'good news' in our culture. Imagine how different our emotional response would be--and the actions and change that follow--if the vast majority of what gets reported and commentated as actual 'good news' were stories that inspire, convey hope, possibility, opportunity, and heroism. 'We are what we think' and what we think is significantly impacted by the information provided. Urban decline is no exception."

Piiparinen highlights how this negativity has impacted Detroit more harshly than other urban areas: "The fate of Detroit and other Rust Belt cities has been driven by the prospect of loss .This is a human thing--you know, the proverbial skull grinning at the banquet. But it's more hidden usually. There's enough in life to drown existential angst out. Yet the prospect of loss has been unusually close to the surface in post-industrial settings, and it has had a massive effect on how the Rust Belt has physically played out."

Later in the article, Piiparinen asserts that fear, panic, and gloom are prominent in the post-industrial society. He cites Jim Taylor's article in Psychology Today as noting that the psychological threats to this society are difficult to fight because they are not easily identified. Confronting the enemy, as it were, is simply not a possibility when it cannot be pinpointed.

Piiparinen believes, and Dr. Streppa agrees, that pinpointing the psychological reasons behind urban decline and then addressing them can result in a "healthier collective psychological state" that promotes resilience.

ABOUT:

Dr. Michael Streppa is a psychological professional who has contributed a great deal of time and energy to learning about the field. Michael Streppa holds a Doctor of Psychology, Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts. Additionally, he has specialized in the area of clinical psychology. Over the course of his career, Dr .Michael Streppa has held positions as an independent contractor, Chief Psychologist, Staff Psychologist, Sole Proprietor of a private practice, and Mental Health Specialist.