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==Etymology==
Middle [[English]], from be- + trayen to betray, from Anglo-French trahir, from Latin tradere — more at traitor
*Date: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 13th century]
==Definitions==
:transitive verb
*1 : to lead astray; especially : seduce
*2 : to deliver to an enemy by treachery
*3 : to fail or desert especially in time of need <betrayed his family>
*4 a : to reveal un[[intention]]ally <betray one's true [[feelings]]>
:b : show, indicate
:c : to disclose in violation of [[confidence]] <betray a secret>intransitive verb : to prove false
==Description==
'''Betrayal''' is the breaking or violation of a presumptive social contract, [[trust]], or [[confidence]] that produces [[moral]] and [[psychological]] [[conflict]] within a [[relationship]] amongst [[individuals]], between organizations or between individuals and organizations. Often betrayal is the [[act]] of supporting a rival [[group]], or it is a complete break from previously decided upon or presumed [[norms]] by one party from the others. Someone who betrays others is commonly called a traitor or betrayer. Betrayal is also a commonly used literary element and is often associated with or used as a plot twist.
==Political betrayal==
Most adults living in democracies place [[trust]] in the [[state]] of which they are a [[citizen]]. If this trust is betrayed, at its worst, the [[individual]] can suffer [[psychological]] betrayal trauma. Betrayal trauma has symptoms similar to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_traumatic_stress_disorder post traumatic stress disorder], although the element of amnesia and dissociation is likely to be greater. The key [[difference]] between [[traditional]] post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and betrayal trauma is that the former is historically seen as being caused primarily by [[fear]], whereas betrayal trauma is a response to extreme anger. Fear and anger are the two sides to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_or_flight fight-flight response], and as such are our strongest and most basic psychological [[emotion]]s.
Pure [[political]] betrayal trauma can be caused by situations such as wrongful arrest and/or conviction; or by discrimination, bullying or other serious mistreatment by a state institution or powerful figure within the state.
In [[practice]], however, it is likely that most people with symptoms of psychological trauma have elements of both fear based PTSD and anger based betrayal trauma, not one or the other. Certainly in the most serious cases of PTSD there is an element of both. For instance, the [[fact]] that a soldier is sent to [[war]] by the [[state]] is an important element in the [[reasons]] for war being a major cause of PTSD. In cases where soldiers are horrified by the [[actions]] or orders of their commanding officers, or where they are victims of friendly fire, their PTSD is likely to be worse because of the element of betrayal will be that much greater. Similarly, one of the most psychologically traumatising events in [[history]], the Holocaust, is almost certainly so serious a case because the element of state betrayal is as great as the element of fear trauma.
[[Category: Law]]
[[Category: Psychology]]
==Etymology==
Middle [[English]], from be- + trayen to betray, from Anglo-French trahir, from Latin tradere — more at traitor
*Date: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 13th century]
==Definitions==
:transitive verb
*1 : to lead astray; especially : seduce
*2 : to deliver to an enemy by treachery
*3 : to fail or desert especially in time of need <betrayed his family>
*4 a : to reveal un[[intention]]ally <betray one's true [[feelings]]>
:b : show, indicate
:c : to disclose in violation of [[confidence]] <betray a secret>intransitive verb : to prove false
==Description==
'''Betrayal''' is the breaking or violation of a presumptive social contract, [[trust]], or [[confidence]] that produces [[moral]] and [[psychological]] [[conflict]] within a [[relationship]] amongst [[individuals]], between organizations or between individuals and organizations. Often betrayal is the [[act]] of supporting a rival [[group]], or it is a complete break from previously decided upon or presumed [[norms]] by one party from the others. Someone who betrays others is commonly called a traitor or betrayer. Betrayal is also a commonly used literary element and is often associated with or used as a plot twist.
==Political betrayal==
Most adults living in democracies place [[trust]] in the [[state]] of which they are a [[citizen]]. If this trust is betrayed, at its worst, the [[individual]] can suffer [[psychological]] betrayal trauma. Betrayal trauma has symptoms similar to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_traumatic_stress_disorder post traumatic stress disorder], although the element of amnesia and dissociation is likely to be greater. The key [[difference]] between [[traditional]] post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and betrayal trauma is that the former is historically seen as being caused primarily by [[fear]], whereas betrayal trauma is a response to extreme anger. Fear and anger are the two sides to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_or_flight fight-flight response], and as such are our strongest and most basic psychological [[emotion]]s.
Pure [[political]] betrayal trauma can be caused by situations such as wrongful arrest and/or conviction; or by discrimination, bullying or other serious mistreatment by a state institution or powerful figure within the state.
In [[practice]], however, it is likely that most people with symptoms of psychological trauma have elements of both fear based PTSD and anger based betrayal trauma, not one or the other. Certainly in the most serious cases of PTSD there is an element of both. For instance, the [[fact]] that a soldier is sent to [[war]] by the [[state]] is an important element in the [[reasons]] for war being a major cause of PTSD. In cases where soldiers are horrified by the [[actions]] or orders of their commanding officers, or where they are victims of friendly fire, their PTSD is likely to be worse because of the element of betrayal will be that much greater. Similarly, one of the most psychologically traumatising events in [[history]], the Holocaust, is almost certainly so serious a case because the element of state betrayal is as great as the element of fear trauma.
[[Category: Law]]
[[Category: Psychology]]
