The Hierarchy of Needs :: Psychology, Maslow

Human nature of the general populations is as complex as the human race it describes. Most people have combined aspects in defining their nature. Humans are both pleasure seeking and good-natured. If something is not pleasurable to them, it is unlikely that they are good-natured at the time. For example, babies are good-natured as long as they are feeling safe, fed, not wet, and not sick. Maslow describes this as the hierarchy of needs ( Maslow,1942). Humans are motivated by their needs. In order to have pleasure and be good-natured their basic needs of food and shelter must first be met. Tabula Rasa, originally introduced by John Locke has been translated today, as the brain is similar to a computer waiting to be programmed. There is no hard drive or any info available (Voland, 2000). However, most realize that humans are born with certain capabilities all ready. So, they are pre-programmed for some things. People are both pathological and affected by their environment. People are born with certain genetic factors that make them prone to certain pathology or behaviors (Eysenck, 1990). However, the socially environment and culture plays a role in bringing out the genetic factor. IF a person grows up in an environment that promotes antisocial behavior, it will easily bring this feature out in a person. The environment can also teach people to behave a certain way (Berger& Burgoon, 1995) The social cognitive theory states that most schemas are developed while the person is growing up. This can cause either positive or negative schemas and will affect how a person reacts to others. It also decides whether a person’s behavior will be positive or negative. Schemas are mental pictures stored in a person’s memory. The theory also supports the ability to change negative thoughts and behaviors. A person can change these behaviors by observing someone who models appropriate behaviors. A counselor can use both modeling and guided mastery to change the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors of a person (Pervin, Cervone, & Oliver, 2005). Social Cognitive theory is based on the fact, people learn through watching others. The personality is shaped by snapshots called schemas. For example, we have conditioned self to the sound of music. The mind thinks what a pleasant sound. If a person had not been conditioned by experience, we would have thought much different. Instead, we would have thought how dreadful it was (Pervin, Cervone, & Oliver, 2005).