Grad Paper Paper # 2

What is/are the sources and causes of human problems and dysfunctional behavior?

            This question has required a lot of thought and self-reflection. As I would like to naïvely believe that humans are perfect and pristine beings, I get real with myself when I admit that they are not. Herein lies one of the many causes of human problems. We were created perfect and blameless until sin entered the world. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned (Romans 5:12-21, NIV).” I believe through faith that this lays the foundation not only for human problems but also for dysfunctional behavior. All imperfections, biological and emotional, which drive the decisions we make, stem from the fall of man.

            Sin has created immoral temptations, which are the perpetrator for the selfish pleasures and desires of human beings. We long for satisfaction and do not mind instant gratification every now and then. Some acts are stimulated through our need for survival. For example, “I am starving so I am going to find whatever food I can right now,” or, “I am cold. Whoever’s coat this, is I am going to take it for a bit so I can warm up.” These selfish needs do their job to keep us alive and well. However, the selfish need for alcohol and drugs, as a result of craving satisfaction, are damaging to the individual and his/her biological development and immediate environment. Following the fulfillment of these satisfactions are the poor choices made while under the influence. It is with these choices that come human problems and dysfunctional behavior. Selfish desires and pleasures are found in everyone; however, it is all weighted on how we respond to those cravings.

            Aside from our innate selfishness, we have imperfections and weaknesses. An Adlerian therapist would describe the process as being inferior and seeking superiority. To compensate for our weaknesses, we strive for perfection but always seem to fall short. In some, their strife for perfection revolves around getting good grades, achieving athletic success, or attaining a waist that is a size zero. Others, however, steal, lie, and cheat in order to achieve financial success/comfort, satisfaction in a relationship, or maybe to just appear materialistically perfect. Imperfections can cause a great deal of discontent. When we see something we do not like in ourselves, we can do one of many things: accept it, use it to strengthen and grow us, project it onto others, or in a more extreme case, get bitter or angry and make poor choices to counteract the uncomfortable feeling. This war within us will most likely turn outward and be reflected through behaviors. Our society is a collection of good and bad, strengths and weakness. Do we start a battle with those around us as a means of coping with what we see in ourselves that we do not like? Do we turn to alcohol, drugs, gambling, or other addictions to soothe our cravings? If not dealt with properly, imperfections and weaknesses can be a source of human problems and dysfunctional behavior.

            Lastly, individual or societal differences can lead to problems. What one person may consider as a golden opportunity, another may consider as a threat. It is our perceptions about the world and how we make sense of it all that differ, and when two opposing perceptions clash a conflict will arise. We go to war to defend and protect our ideas and beliefs. If we all held the same ideas and saw situations identically we would have no reason to go up against each other. We would all see eye to eye and problems would not arise. I appreciate the uniqueness in each person and every country, for it keeps our world vivid, lively, and not boring. What I think is beautiful might be garbage to someone else. Am I willing to fight enough for such a belief to outwardly try and change the other individuals’ opinions? Not necessarily, but someone else may choose to negatively display behaviors, while making poor choices in the process, in order to reach an agreement.

           In conclusion, I believe we were intricately designed by God to have a heartbeat, a laugh, and a smile. This allows us to separate ourselves as a human race based on characteristics not known to other species. Historically, I believe that over hundreds and hundreds of years our society has molded itself into what it is today, for that is how we got to this place in time. The strength of specific individuals, for example MLK Jr., has enabled us to have more freedom as humans, and it is with that freedom that we can serve our Creator, which is our sole purpose and meaning in life.