Understanding Human Behavior and Social Dynamics

Understanding the Human Person and Social Dynamics

The person is unique, unrepeatable, indefinable, and complex. Several key concepts help us understand human behavior and interactions:

• Assertiveness: Saying what you honestly think, without deception, to another person without hurting them. This includes the ability to say "no."
• Self-esteem: The positive or negative evaluation that each person holds of themself.
• Anorexia: When a person stops eating enough because they believe they are fat.
• Bulimia: Binge eating; the opposite of anorexia.
• Empathy: Putting yourself in the place of another person to understand their feelings or what is happening to them. For example, trying to understand a person who has lost a parent.

Human Nature and Social Interactions

Human beings are social animals. While words can deceive and lie, gestures often reveal true feelings.

• Social Customs: For example, giving way to a woman when she enters a room.

Philosophical Perspectives

• Rousseau was a philosopher who believed that man is good by nature but that the pursuit of excessive wealth changes us and makes us ill.
• Hobbes was a philosopher who believed that human beings are selfish, interested, and suspicious. He coined the phrase, "Man is a wolf to man."

Social Issues and Attitudes

• Racism: A discriminatory attitude based on the belief in superior races.
• Xenophobia: A negative attitude towards foreigners, stemming from hatred or fear.
• Homophobia: A negative attitude towards homosexuals.
• Moral view: Children's ability to differentiate a bad act from a good one.
• Moral Values: Positive estimations we make and seek in our lives. Examples: love/hate, friendship/hostility.

School and Community Involvement

• The School Council is an organ of participation and management in schools. It consists of teachers, parents, administrative and service staff, students, management, and others.
• The Delegate is the class representative, chosen by vote. Their function is to propose activities, make complaints and suggestions to teachers, and alert others to any concerning attitudes within the group.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Examples of NGOs and their focus:

• Red Cross: Health
• Greenpeace: Nature
• AECC (Spanish Association Against Cancer): Cancer
• Down Syndrome Organizations: Support for individuals with Down Syndrome
• Caritas: Clothing, toys, and other necessities

Usually, doctors, clowns, and actors/actresses often volunteer their time for these organizations.

Human Rights Violations

Examples of how articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are not always met:

• Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This is not always met, as famous people sometimes do not receive the same "punishment" as ordinary people.
• Article 4: No one shall be subjected to slavery. This is not met in places like Thailand, where girls are subjected to prostitution.
• Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel treatment. This is not met at the Guantanamo Bay prison.