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(Disclaimer: The web page advertised above was randomly chosen by GeocitiesSites.
It does not necessarily reflect my point of view or life style.)
Melissa's Myriad
Thoughts on Human Relations
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This page starts off with three paragraphs on one of my "soapboxes". Then it ends with an excerpt
from some Open System/Closed Systen
notes.
Sometimes I find myself wondering, "Why won't people just get along
with each other?" We all have the ability to collaborate and live peacefully. However,
generally speaking, the human race has been finding things to argue, fight, and hold
prejudices about since the dawn of time. The issues can be anything......race, religion,
gender, money, neighborhoods, clothing style....the list could go on. It never ceases to
appall me--how some people can justify their slander, viscous verbal attacks, or even
murders and wars, on the basis of their hate and prejudice.
Some of those conflicts are caused by well-intentioned people who have incorrect
information. Much of it is caused by a willingness to be greedy, selfish, prideful or just
plain thoughtless. It would be a better life for all of us if we would rise above those
behaviors--to control the primal urges of dissension, and use our intelligence to reason and
work together for the benefit of all involved. Not only that, but to also use our skills,
talents and resources to help each other.
The diversity of peoples and cultures brings a wonderful variety to our lives. Yet when it
comes right down to the core, we all have some similarities. For example, all of us are
imperfect. Everyone one has their flaws, weaknesses, their "Achilles heal"......from the
rich to the poor, the Christian to the atheist, or from the black to the white. To balance
those weak spots, everyone has their strengths, talents, their "special somethings" they excel
at. I think it would be extraordinary if people concentrated more on using their strengths to
collaborate, balance, and help each other. We will not reach our highest potentials by
tearing each other down, but by building each other up.
Top of Page
Below is a sample of my notes on human relations. Whether one
agrees or disagrees with this material, it is a topic worthy of contemplation. The course
instructor was Dr. Al Holst. To the best of my knowledge, he developed his lectures from
readings by Lawrence Kohlberg, J. Salk, Stephen R. Covey, and others. This page shows
only a fraction of the discussions. I did not attempt to post my entire set of lecture notes in
detail!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
According to Lawrence Kohlberg there are three stages of moral reasoning. Each level
has two stages:
Level 1: Preconventional (avoiding punishment and getting rewards)
- Stage 1: obedience to authority to avoid punishment
- Stage 2: satisfying one's own views, at the expense of others
Level 2: Conventional (emphasis on social rules)
- Stage 3: approval from others is more important than a specific reward; conformity
- Stage 4: obeying the laws; being a dutiful citizen
Level 3: Postconventional (emphasis on moral principles)
- Stage 5: rules of society exist for everyone's benefit; a legal point of view
- Stage 6: general universal principles govern right and wrong; human dignity
Those three stages of moral reasoning fit into three levels of human functioning:
competition, cooperation and collaboration.
1. Competition: People functioning at
this level are at moral reasoning stages 1 and 2. Emphasis is on litigation, dependence, and
control.
2. Cooperation: People functioning at
this level are at moral reasoning stages 3 and 4. Emphasis is on negotiation, independence
and contracts.
3. Collaboration: People functioning at
this level are at moral reasoning stages 5 and 6. Emphasis is on consensus,
interdependence and commitment.
People functioning in Competition and Cooperation also have a Closed System mentality. People functioning in
Collaboration have an Open System
mentality.
The Closed System is marked by a win/loose orientation. There is prejudice, punishment
and praise at work in this system. [Prejudice is defined as: A willingness to believe those
things which are negative and false. There are six levels of prejudice: 1) Believing, 2)
Talking,
3) Avoiding, 4) Excluding, 5) Assault, verbal and/or physical, 6) Killing ]
The Open System is marked by a win/win orientation. There is love, discipline and
encouragement at work in this system. [Love is defined as: A willingness to believe those
things which are positive and true. There are six levels of love: 1) Believing, 2) Talking,
3) Seeking out those who need you, 4) Including them, 5) Stroking, verbal and/or
physical, 6) Growth ]
People functioning in this system can identify with these statements: 1) At any moment, at
any time, a person is doing the very best they can. 2) Regardless of how well they are
doing, they want to do better.
See the Levels of
Human Functioning Chart
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