Human Behavior: Philosophical and Psychological Foundations

Philosophical Perspectives on the Human Being

Monism

Monism posits that the human being is a unitary entity. Within this view, there are two opposing perspectives:

• Behavioral Monism: Human action, including responses to external stimuli, is the primary focus of study.
• Reductive Monism: All mental states are ultimately neurophysiological states.

Functionalism

Functionalism suggests that mental processes are not defined by their physical substance (like neurons) but by the function they perform, such as computing or thinking.

Emergentism

Emergentism offers a synthesis of monism and dualism. It proposes that mental states emerge from physical states but possess properties that are distinct from them.

Personalism

This view emphasizes the unity of the human being as a whole, integrating both physical (body) and spiritual aspects alike.

Understanding Human Behavior

Human behavior is the relationship of an individual to a stimulus, which can be observed, recorded, and analyzed. This stimulus can be internal (e.g., a toothache, longing for a lost loved one) or external (e.g., wind, a rise in temperature).

The basic formula is Stimulus + Response = Behavior. Behavior can manifest as unobservable psychic phenomena or as any observable conduct.

Types of Behavior

Instinctive Behavior

This occurs when the response to a stimulus is identical in all members of a species, determined by a common genetic pattern (e.g., bears hibernating). On a larger evolutionary scale, humans exhibit less instinctive behavior.

Open Conduct

This is behavior where the reaction is not biologically predetermined. The same stimulus can cause different reactions because the response is analyzed, compared with previous experiences, and a decision is made before acting. Social and cultural factors, along with learning, play a significant role.

The Role of Motivation

Behavior is driven by motivation, which is the factor that drives or pushes a person to behave in a particular way. This process typically involves three phases:

1. Deliberation: A person analyzes and reflects on the advantages and disadvantages of a potential action.
2. Decision: A choice is made based on what is perceived as the most correct or adequate option.
3. Execution: The decision is followed by concrete action, moving beyond a simple intention.

Sadness, often characterized by apathy and inaction, is the opposite of action. It is caused by a lack of motivation and is one of the most disturbing elements of human behavior.

Characteristic Features of Human Behavior

• Inadaptation: While it may seem like an obstacle, this is a key strength. Humans come into the world with fewer natural "weapons" than other species, forcing us to produce and adapt elements to meet our needs.
• Plasticity: This natural immaturity allows humans to be moldable and malleable, which is essential for forging maturity through learning and experience.
• Insatisfaction: One of the most emblematic features of human behavior is the constant desire for more. Failure and difficulty push us to action and the pursuit of new goals. The capacity for learning and constant dissatisfaction are key factors that have contributed to dynamic technological and cultural developments.

Sociability

The tendency to live in society is known as sociability. It is the inclination to live and share with other individuals of the same species, working together to ensure the survival of each member.