Sources from Opposing Viewpoints in Context:
Source one: “Intra- and interpersonal emotion regulation and adjustment symptoms in couples: The role of co-brooding and co-reappraisal” By Andrea B. Horn and Andreas Maercker
Summary: Interpersonal emotional regulation is important to mental health. There are many studies that show interpersonal experiences can give very positive emotional regulation and this is very important. This is true for stressful events in our lives as well as deppression and anxiety. Relationships are proven to regulate our emotions.
Assess: This article is written by the Psychopathology department and Clinical Intervention Unit at the University of Zürich, Switzerland. It is written by two professors. This seems like a pretty credible source, as they definitely know what they are talking about. I don’t think they would have any reason to wrongly convince their audience. I definitely understand their perspective and they have good research.
Reflect: There are still ways to take down this argument, as there are still holes. They do not address the benefits of an intrapersonal relationship and how the fruit of it is actually very necessary for self actualization.
Newspaper article: “Witness to Freedom: Letters in Time of Crisis” by George Sim Johnsto Date: Dec. 5, 1994
Summary: Thomas merton was a monk, writer, and political activist. He was highly regarded as the likeness of a saint. He wrote letters in the times of deep political turbulence. His letters became very philosophical and became of a dark nature. His time in solitude is what made him like that.
Assess: This was written in a newspaper by “National Review” National review is a newspaper company located in New York. It is a collection of opinions on national and international issues, usually from a conservative standpoint. The article was written in 1995. Seeing that the newspaper is purely opinion based and is influenced by conservative views, it is easy to say that it is not objective.
Reflect: He characterizes Thomas Merten as some “almost saint” that was ultimately led to destruction of his mind due to the corruption that comes from solitude. He does not give us enough background of his life and his exact experiences of solitude. George also does not really define his use of the word “dark” when he says that Thomas became dark. I think it is somewhat of a solid argument against solitude, but it has some holes in it.
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