Lecture Notes: Context, Intention, and Human Behavior

Introduction

• Every behavior serves a positive intention for the person doing it.
• Example of a decision-making game involving a train and a lever.
• The importance of context and intention in understanding behavior.

The Train Game

• You can only decide to go left or right; no other actions are possible.
• Scenario: One person on the left (stranger), a loved one on the right.
• Audience of 10,000 people watches, but they lack context.
• Demonstrates how decisions are judged without understanding the full context.

Key Concepts

Context and Intention

• Life is about context and intention.
• Intention in a specific context shapes behavior and perspective.

Perspective

• Example: Two workers in the same job but different perspectives.
• One sees it as a learning opportunity, the other as a chore.
• Intention sets perspective, which reflects in life.

Judging Behavior vs. Intention

• Do not judge the behavior; judge the intention behind it.
• Example of extreme cases (e.g., rapists, criminals).
• Importance of understanding the backstory and intention, while still enforcing consequences.

Six Basic Human Needs

1. Certainty: Fundamental need for stability and predictability.
2. Uncertainty: Need for variety and new experiences.
3. Love and Connection: Need for relationships and connection.
4. Significance: Need to feel unique and important.
5. Growth: Need for continual improvement and development.
6. Contribution: Need to contribute to something greater than oneself.

Certainty and Uncertainty

• Certainty allows basic functioning (e.g., trusting a table to hold weight).
• Uncertainty prevents boredom and adds excitement (e.g., movies, adventures).

Love and Connection vs. Significance

• Love and connection can come from relationships, pet ownership, community, etc.
• Significance comes from feeling unique and valued (e.g., celebrities).
• Imbalance can lead to negative behaviors (e.g., substance abuse).

Growth and Contribution

• Growth requires constant improvement; staying the same is moving backward.
• Contribution involves giving to something larger than oneself, adding purpose and fulfillment.

Applying the Concepts

• Understanding the six needs helps in interpreting behaviors and intentions.
• Enables a more compassionate and informed perspective on actions.

Conclusion

• Recognizing the positive intention behind every behavior.
• Striving to fulfill human needs in empowering ways leads to a life of purpose and meaning.