James Carpenter

Mr. Abplanalp
General Psychology 201
4/24/14
Psychology Behind the World of Martial Arts
The mind of a human being has been known to be more complicated than the
minds of animals ever since the beginning of time. Humans have changed through several
million years of adaptation of mental processes, and trying to find ones life purposes,
allowing us to do more with our minds than what the Romans, Greeks, Spartans, and the
ancient cultures of China, and Japan have ever dreamed of thinking. We have gone passed
the simple ideas of trying to find fire and hunt other species to survive, to trying to find
other life beyond the stars and hunting down those who would try to destroy what they
cannot create. Adaptation of ones psychological constructs has been an idea that was
used for the wrong reasons (evolution, the idea that we have adapted from another
species, and through time began to adapt to our environment without the thought of God
overseeing the world, and granting us to become part of his own image); for it has
worked on medicine, warfare, philosophy, and our techniques of defending oneself
against the dark side of world (did not mean to slip a Star Wars joke here.). In this essay,
I will focus more on the world of martial arts, and how we have gotten to where man is
now.

We have evolved from the idea of just trying to fight your way out of situations;

we have gone past the idea of finding ones inner-knowledge needed to know how to
defend yourself, and we have gone past the idea that if you work hard, we will be able to
fight against the enemies of the world. Now, we have advanced in battle tactics to the

point that we can teach soldiers martial arts, and how to weaponize the minds of others so
that you can be able to win in any predicament. The mind of the martial artist is like a
gun, or a knife, or a spear.

Studies also have show (thanks to Contemporary

Psychotherapy), that martial arts can improve the effectiveness of cognitive and
behavioral processes. An ancient practice known as the Shaolin moral code, comprised
of ten taboo acts, twelve codes of conduct, and ten acts of duty. This is almost exactly to
my schools, American Martial Arts Institute, Student Creed, where we have to swear
(by an oath), that we must keep your skills contained, be respectful to others, and to be a
good citizen of society. In order to know the creed, you must become one yourself by
joining the American Martial Arts Institute. Studies show that willpower, increases
inside of the trainees mind, allowing him to develop a sense of completing any
obligations he is ordered to do, inside and outside of training. In fact, there is a rule, or a
moral code out of the Dojo Kun (associated by the Japan Karate Association, 2009), that
states that one must exert oneself in order to achieve perfection within your character.
Martial arts increases positive behavior, along with social activity, positive
behavior, and more respect for parents, and important life figures. Those who train in
martial arts seem to decrease in depression, and thoughts of suicide, while increasing in
desire to complete school assignments, and homework. The idea of having a perfect mind
within a martial artist is absolutely breathtaking (because you have to see it for yourself
to gain the experience)

But what makes the mind of a martial artist so keen, so

strong, that his mind is considered better than the mind of an average individual? It is his
ability to fight off against aggression (Dictionary says, is the over, or suppressed
hostility, either innate or resulting from continued frustration and directed outward, or

against oneself). When martial artists spar, they think of ways to either neutralize the
person, or defend themselves long enough for them to be able to escape.

We dont want

to break any bones (if we have to, than we will); we want to defend against the combatant
until we can find those who will lock him away for a very, very long time. But back to
aggression, the reason why our minds are keen on fending off against this, is because we
train our minds more than our bodies on these key ideas:
-

Respect (Dictionary.com says the positive feeling of esteem, or

deference for a person, or other entity, and also specific actions and
conduct representative of that esteem. I technically dont have a
definition for this, because its been something that Ive been using ever

since I was little, but I had it intensified due to martial arts training).
Self-control- ability to control ones emotions, and behaviors during

training, and combat (sparring, etc.).

Discipline (big one)- the ability to understand whos in charge once we
see leadership through orienting reflexes, and observational/latent
learning, and do what the leader tells you to because of his/her
knowledge, and previous experiences of what you have learned over

time.
Leadership- the ability of an organism to take control of a situation

(based on experience), and use that situation to bend it to your favor..

Responsibility- (or Duty, Dictionary says), that a human being should
convey a sense of moral commitment , or obligation to someone or
something.

Martial arts controls aggression on certain areas, such as hard work (Kung Fu),
and tradition & culture (Krav Maga, Hapkido, Aikido, Bushido). Some even choose to

control aggression through sports, and competition (Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Tae Kwan Do,
Krav Maga, Aikido). The whole idea is to train the mind to not think about anger and to
increase strength, but to control your enemies in the ring, so that you can either escape, or
subdue them until the proper authorities arrive. Controlling aggression also allows us to
increase processes such as:
-

Speed
Reflexes
Tactics in combat
Cognitive, and other mental processes
Breathing
Ability to use your environment better

But martial arts does more than increase your mental abilities, but also your body;
some of the processes mentioned are bodily components, but not all of them are
mentioned. With training, our bodies can become weaponized, more for self-defense,
than combat. The body of a martial artist can become more healthier too (though I dont
look much healthy, I can hold my own in a fight). Studies have shown that when training
under Tae Kwan Do, or Aikido, or perhaps Krav Maga, that even the most elderly of
individuals can train martial arts, and increase your endurance, breathing, and ability to
also increase your immune system (which I thought was pretty cool, if you take a look at
the works cited page, there is a link, or website that describes that if you train in martial
arts, your body will increase in your immunity to fight infections.).

Martial arts is

quite known for self-defense for the past thousand years, but what about the parts that
others dont know; such as the art of Kung Fu. It has been known to also be a medical
practice, as part of a religion as well; they also believe that you have something known as
Chi, or a sacred life force energy. Hapkido has been known for its traditional practices,

and the ability to teach students to always uphold tradition; Ju-Jitsu has been known for
its practices in the battlefield, as the United States Army, Marines, and Special Forces
units train in many different forms of Ju-Jitsu, Judo, and the very new type of martial
arts, American Freestyle Hapkido (which was created by known other than Dr. Buzz
Mingin, who has trained under Korean martial arts ever since I was in diapers.).
Another interesting little fact of the physical benefits of martial arts, is that there
is a martial art called Oom Yung Doe, taught by the Iron Grandmaster, John C. Kim.
This martial art has been known to help increase health benefits with those who have
diabetes, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and blood pressure, as well as increase mental
status. The reason why for this, is because they use the ancient practices of herbal
formulas, and equipment.
So far, that is all that I really have based on some of the citations that I have
collected; and believe me, there wasnt a whole lot of good ones; so this is why Im using
this paragraph to talk about some of my limitations as to why this isnt that good of an
essay: 1st of all, Ive been doing this for about 6 years, so it has been part of my life
ever since I moved to South Carolina, so the whole ideal of respect, discipline, and
self-control have all been a part of my life; 2nd, is that there isnt a lot of articles to go
around, so Im going based off of what I know 50% of the time; 3rd, is because that
not a lot of people really do know martial arts, and what its actually good for; 4th, is
that for someone to obtain the increase in mental status within martial arts, you
must become one with martial arts (just a little Chi joke we like to throw around, just
to give you the idea that if one wants to learn the secrets, one must become one with the
tradition). Sure there may be some videos of martial arts, and the fact that practically

everyone looks like a badass on TV; but that is not us, that is not who we are. Im quite
sure that Bruce Lee has had his fair share of being punched in the face more than once.
Im quite sure that Dr. Buzz has been hit in the face more than once; the point Im getting
through, is that no one is invincible.
Ive been looking through some areas on the Psychology of Martial Arts, and I
came across something very, very interesting; its as theory known as the Beast Within
Theory. It states that martial arts over time will hold in all of their aggression that is part
of their human nature, and will in turn use that pact aggression in a fight, and win. This
theory is mostly why the government is wanting to ban martial arts; it has never worked,
I can assure you that. But there have some very complicated restrictions on the use of
martial arts, and there equipment that they train under. This whole Beast Within
Theory is what got us to be very secretive about our traditions, and our way of life;
why? Because they fear us, the public doesnt want a bunch of guys wearing Gis, and
black belts walking around; and sometimes, even trying to advertise for new participants
is difficult. Because the public is afraid of what we are.

But there have been times

where martial arts has been greatly been appreciated; the Olympics has added the use of
Tae Kwan Do, and Boxing to their status of gold medals. So we do have some respect
from the universal governments.

And now, for my conclusion of this essay; I am quite sorry that I havent been
able to find much articles, or theories based on the psychology on martial arts. Those who
dont understand the ideal of martial arts training, have been known to taunt me about
this whole entire project. But I know that others want to know, just what makes a martial

artist tick; and I will simply tell them this: For those who want to know the things of the
unknown, one must journey into the unknown, for the knowledge of the unknown can
only be found to those who are willing to dare try. What I am saying is, is that if you
want to know how we operate, and how are more logical, and more mentally stronger
than those of the average person, than you must become a martial artist yourself, for only
than will you truly know the answer. Sensei Randy Cornell of American Martial Arts
Institute once told me, If anyone wants to find out how we conduct our tests, classes,
and training styles, they have to find out for themselves. Because the mind is only willing
to listen to what you have to say 50% of the time, while theyre trying to process what
your saying means the other 50%.
I thank you for taking the time to enjoy this essay, and I hope you have learned
something from these 6 pages of knowledge of martial arts. But if you want to know what
is the most famous of each American martial art is, it is this:

Boxing- Street fighting

Kung Fu- History
Judo- Mind overcomes Strength
Tae Kwan Do- Participants

Ninjitsu- Art of Stealth (dead martial arts style)

Karate- Strikes
Aikido- Using your opponent to your advantage
Ju-jitsu (in total)- Competition
Krav Maga- 3-steps-to-nuetralize
Muay Thai- Art of the Eight Limbs
Hapkido- Tradition
Jeet Kune Do- Its all about Bruce Lee
American Freestyle Hapkido- Traditions, along with an added buzz to the art
Kenpo- the law of the blade
Bojuka- Motor movements, and adrenaline rush
Bok Fu Do- The system of the White Tiger
Chun Kuk Do- Chuck Norris says Its the Universal Way
Gouging- in the back of the United States, you had to lose an eye.
Jailhouse rock- 52 hand blocks
Kajukenbo- karate, jujitsu, kenpo, boxing
Model Mugging- it could happen
Nabi Su- Ambivalent Zen
Oom Yung Do- Grandmaster Iron Kim
Shootfighting- its not what you think
Shuri-ryu- the legends of the Shuri fist
SPEAR- Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response

Works Cited
(all works cited are the first links if you type the names of these on the search
engine. No URLs are able to be used quite well in a MLA format. I have tried that
before, though Mr. Whisonant, from Western Civilization History 102, says that it is not
the best to use URL in a college essay. Stating that this would work best. Though
American Martial Arts Institute, Psychology 201, and the History of Hapkido, is not a
URL, or an article, it has helped me to increase my knowledge on the psychology.)

Wikipedia (list of martial arts)

The Physcial and Psychological Benefits of Martial Arts Training
Krav Maga Principles and Personal Benefits
Top eleven- best self defense martial arts
The History of Hapkido (Dr. Buzz Mingin)
What is Psychology? - Psychology 201
American Martial Arts Institute (for helping me for 6 years on my martial arts
experience, and knowledge of the psychological, and physical benefits of martial arts)
The History of Bok Fu Do (type this into the search engine, and it will be the
first search result youll see.)
Atlantic Bojuka (same as bok fu do, just type, and it will be the first result.)
What is Kenpo?- Yahoo Answers (again, type, first result)
Contemporary Psychotherapy (type this along with martial arts, and mental
health into the search engine, and it will be the first result, again)

Dictionary.com (Respect, Responsibility [Duty], Leadership, Self-control,

Discipline.)