Why People Act the Way They Do

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

Advert

Why people act the way they do

Some people seem to you, to act in strange ways.
They do things that seem to make no sense.
They like things that you don't like. They say things you would not say.
They believe in things that you do not think are true.
They do things that you would never do.

How to explain the behaviour of other people

What is it that drives people to do what they do?

One answer is: Pleasure and pain

Some psychologists put forward the idea that people act according to two main factors: Pleasure and pain.

1. They act in order to gain pleasure and
2. They act in order to avoid pain

According to this theory, everything you do, you do to achieve two goals.
You do what you do, because you think that by acting in that way, you will gain more pleasure.

And , or

You do what you do because you think that by acting in that way, you will avoid some pain.
Pain and pleasure.

The pursuit of pleasure

Advertisers know that in order to sell a product, they need to link it to pleasure. So they create pleasure products; such as chocolate, wine, and music.
We don't need chocolate, wine or music. We have it only because it is pleasurable.

The avoidance of pain

But you will also buy things you don't even want.
For instance you will buy a TV licence. You will buy a car tax disc.

WHY will you buy things you don't want?

You buy them to avoid the painful consequences of not buying them.

So there is some plausibility to the idea that people act according to two main factors:

• They act in order to gain pleasure and
• They act in order to avoid pain.

Have a look at the grid below.

Now let us look closer at this:Long term or short term consequences

The next grid diagram introduces the concept of short term verses long term consequences.

Take a look at the grid below. What does it mean?

Here is an interesting thing:

1. Many actions, that result in short term pleasures, later create pain, in the long term.
2. Many actions, that result in short term pain, later create pleasure, in the long term.

Please note the following fact:

When an activity is practiced over a long period of time, there is often an inversion of pain and pleasure.

Why do people smoke cigarettes?

Because cigarettes are pleasurable.
But only in the short term.
Long term, cigarettes create painful consequences.

Why do some people eat too much?

Because eating is pleasurable.
But only in the short term.
Long term, eating too much creates painful consequences.

Why don't most people exercise three times a week?

Because exercise is a pain.
But only in the short term.
Long term, exercise creates pleasurable consequences.

Why don't people study to improve their maths and English?

Because studying is a pain.
But only in the short term.
Long term, studying maths and English would create pleasurable consequences.

Please note the following: It is better to think long range than short range.

Here is the point.
Wisdom is gained by thinking about the long range consequences of your current action.

Massive Error is thinking only about the short range consequences of your current actions and forgetting about the long range consequences of your current actions.

Here is the next point.

Most people are short range thinkers

They disregard the long range consequences, of their current actions. Instead they concentrate on the short term pleasures, or the short term avoidance of painful situations.

That is a Massive Error.

The concentration on the short term pleasures and the neglect of the long term consequences will explain much weird behaviour such as:

1. Drug taking: short term pleasure but long term pain.
2. Laziness: short term pleasure but long term pain.
3. Shouting at people: short term pleasure but long term pain.
4. Drinking and eating too much. Short term pleasure but long term pain.
5. Not doing your homework: short term pleasure but long term pain.
6. Adultery: short term pleasure but long term pain.

Here is my point.
Think long term. Don't think short term.
Learn to ask these two questions of yourself and others.

Question one:

"What are the LONG TERM PAINFUL CONSEQUENCES you will suffer if you keep doing what you are doing?"

Question two:

"What are the LONG TERM PLEASURABLE BENEFITS you will enjoy if you do decide to change?
Don't think short term. Think long term.

Summary

People act to avoid pain and gain pleasure.

When an activity is practiced over a long period of time, there is often an inversion of pain and pleasure.

• It is better to think long range.

Ask yourself: "What are the LONG TERM PAINFUL CONSEQUENCES you will suffer if you keep doing what you are doing?

And :

"What are the LONG TERM PLEASURABLE BENEFITS you will enjoy if you do decide to change?

You will be healthy, wealthy and wise.

FREE Training Needs Analysis

FREE Training Needs Analysis!

In order to get the best from your training, you need to discover your relative strengths and weaknesses. Take our FREE training needs analysis questionnaire now and get a report in less than five minutes!

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Personal Effectiveness

• Get Better Results by Taking Better Actions
  If you want better results you need to take better actions. So how do you take better actions?
  Read Article >
• Self-Control
  Be the master of your own destiny. You need to master yourself before you can master a situation. Therefore you need self-control. Your success is dependent on two things: everything you do, and everything you say.
  Read Article >
• Emotional Intelligence
  Emotional intelligence is the ability to empathise, or understand and appreciate how another person feels, given their context. Learn how to develop your emotional intelligence.
  Read Article >
• Are you determined or do you have free will?
  Are you Determined or do you have Free will? Have you ever heard people debate the question of "Determinism vs. Free will?" Have you ever heard people debate the question: "Is life determined by forces that are beyond our control?" or "Is our Fate sealed by factors over which we have...
  Read Article >
• How to Develop More Motivation
  We all need sufficient motivation to carry us through the day.The starting point of all motivation is a goal.
  Read Article >