What is the foundation of individual behavior?

Answer 1

"Human behavior" is expressed as effect of how we come to self identify, with our body oriented 'sense of self'! "Every decision you make, stems from what you think you are and represents the value you put upon yourself" ["A Course in Miracles", ACIM]! Thus, when a child fails the expectations of their parents, the parents usually project some degree of "guilt" upon the child, and the child internalizes this sense of guilt, into their 'body oriented sense of self'. Thus, whatever degree of, "I am bad, wrong and unworthy" is maintained within the child's psyche, they will as though... automatically express accordingly. Yet, instead of programming, "I am good, right and worthy" into the self images of our children... we ought to seem to go way out on the limb, by parenting with... "I like you and I love you, just the way you were, are and will be"! Thus, their expressions and their decision making, will reflect 'that'. And they will... also automatically, express the kind of behavior that is seen as, "okay, just the way it is"! Lastly, it was Carl Rogers insight on personality, where this, "being okay, just the way the child is", that offers, "a fully functioning child and later, adult". He said, "Unconditional positive self regard, facilitates congruence and congruence is necessary for being a fully functioning person" [Carl Rogers]. Remember also... Dorothy Nolte's famous writing, "Children learn what they live" says in part... "When children live with criticism, they learn to condemn." And to contrast 'that'... "When children live with acceptance, they learn to find love in the world" [Dorothy Nolte].

Answer 2

What is foundation of human bahivour