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Human Relations MGMT611

Lesson 39

APATHY AND ITS REMEDIES

Apathy

In this lecture we will focus on how apathetic behaviour influences human relations. As apathy influences

your behaviour it influences your relations and the environments around you. We will try to understand the

concept of apathy. Mainly our concern is the causes of apathy and how they can be addressed. In order to

improve the quality of our relationships it is necessary to learn, how can we cure the apathy or apathetic

behaviour?

What is apathy? It is basically the name of inaction, not being concerned about what is happening around. If

you feel disinterested with reference to your education, your family, your friends or the environment around

you, it means the situation is alarming and you have apathetic behaviour.

Let us try to understand the various definitions of apathy.

1. Apathy is the lack of feeling, emotion, interest or concern. Apathy can apply to an opinion,

situation or life in general and can become a serious mental concern when you stop caring about

everything and everyone around you (sometimes including yourself).

2. Apathy tries to move people away from its arch foe `the Passion'.

3. An absence of emotion or enthusiasm

4. The trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally

5. A lack of feeling or emotion.

6. (appa-thee) Apathy is a lack of energy, emotion or interest in what others generally find important.

7. A lack of interest or concern.

8. Indifference, lethargy, or general lack of emotion or feeling.

9. A feeling of personal non-interest or unconcern with politics.

10. Another term for passivity, submissiveness, and even numbness, reaching epidemic proportions

when it comes to social, economic, environmental, and political issues?

11. Symptoms include lack of awareness, concern, social responsibility and action,

which includes voting. This is particularly apparent for those in the 18 to 24 age

group.

12. The phrase "who cares?" is now a widespread excuse not to care.

13. After all, caring, thinking, learning and development are difficult.

Apathy and Politics

It is simply easier for most of us to be stupid and allow ourselves to be led. If you are indifferent in taking

part of the political activities and are not concerned about who is being elected in the elections, it is the

indicator of apathy. 18-24 is an active age group. If you are passive at this age you are having apathy. Apathy

makes you passive with reference to socio-political issues.

Apathy and health

Apathy affects the physical and mental health of the people. If the people, particularly the youth from the

age group of 18-24, is not concerned about their health, it may also be indicating apathy.

Apathy and society

Apathy is permeating in our society increasingly. Suppose, if somebody happens to meet a road accident,

nobody bothers to stop and look after him. It demonstrates the public apathetic behaviour. It is a difficult

and challenging process to encourage and to motivate individuals to take on responsibility, to become

socially, culturally, economically, and environmentally conscious.

Although both businesses and schools use the language of critical thinking, problem solving, effective

communication, team building, respect, and social responsibility and involvement, the bottom line remains

accountability.

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Human Relations MGMT611

Causes of apathy

Being only observers and showing no concern is a major cause of apathy. Our society's orientation toward

entertainment is making them used to of easy lives. We have become a nation of observers watching with

increasing enthusiasm as the sensationalism of the show intensifies. Debates on media have become an

integral part of the entertainment industry and indicates pervasive apathy.

Consumerism and apathy

Politics aside, the consumerist inclination of our society is another factor that fosters apathy. We

have become addicted to buy numerous products that we imagine make our lives easier and more appealing.

Passivity and apathy

Although it is very difficult to find out which behaviour is apathetic at individual or societal level, yet it is

very important to address the issue.

We are also controlled by our teachers, supervisors, and bosses. In fact submission is actually the opposite

side of the coin of control. It is easier to be passively controlled, than it is to take initiative. It is also easier

to control others than it is to stand up for principles.

Coping strategies for apathy

As 18-24 is an active age group, it is the most important to resolve the problem of this group. Apathy kills

enthusiasm and entrepreneurship. One hesitates to take initiatives. Let us see how we can cope apathy.

1. Do not interpret a lack of initiation or activity as "laziness". Laziness might be the wrong

description of apathy. So, try to differentiate laziness from apathy.

2. Educate family members and friends about the inability to begin or "initiate" behaviors and ask

others to encourage participation in activities.

3. Gently guide behaviors, but respect "no".

4. Use calendars and routines as suggested earlier. It will help you address the apathetic behaviour.

Reward yourself for doing an act to cope with apathy.

Apathy and leaders

Leaders like to control and appreciate submissiveness and passivity. If you do not take charge of your life

and take stand on principles. It will be injurious to your personal and organizational development and

growth.

Cure or remedy

One should try to take remedial measures to address the issue of apathy.

1. If you are afflicted by apathy, then lack of direction may well be at the root of that.

2. It might be advisable to take a break and have a go at something you know you enjoy doing, but

that has nothing whatsoever to do with what you're supposed to be doing.

3. If you can't raise any enthusiasm for your work, subvert it. Do something else what you like. Apathy kills

your enthusiasm.

4. Exercise is a way of battling apathy. Physical exercise lessens apathy or inaction.

5. Get organized. Try to perform various tasks. Avoid monotony, it also generates apathy. You will

become more productive, more active, more useful by organizing your time.

6. Avoid watching television too much. Participate in activities like sports, etc.

7. Moving the mind. Think about various things happening to other people. If others are developing,

how they are developing or making progress.

Selective Apathy?

Is it possible to care too much? Is apathy a necessary evil, a self-defense mechanism that helps us cope with

the stresses of modern living? If you care passionately about every cause, then you might collapse from

exhaustion or end up thinking the world is hopeless and end up not caring about anything at all.

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Human Relations MGMT611

References:

Dubrin, A.J. (2005). Human Relations: Career and Personal Success. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey,

07458.

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