ILAGAN, SAME-WELL

I-D PSYCH
HUMAN NATURE

Humans are complex organisms; they are unique compared to other animals, they have a
complicated muscle and bone structure, they can understand things, and they are mostly
unpredictable. Just like any other animal, they also have behaviors which can tell us the perception of
an individual on a situation. For example, a woman is angry at her car, she keeps yelling at it and
proceeds to kick it continuously. If we look at this simple situation, we would think that there is
something wrong with the car, it could be a flat tire or a broken windshield. However, if I rephrase the
situation and say, a woman is angry at her car, she keeps yelling that the gas tank is empty and
proceeds to kick it continuously. Therefore, we would think that she is angry because her gas tank is
empty and she wouldn’t be able to use her car. So how were we able to arrive at that conclusion? Is
there something that we know? Did we base it solely on her behavior? Or was it based on her emotions.
This is where human nature comes in. In my opinion, personality and behavior constitutes human
nature which is naturally within ourselves. From the word itself, it is our natural response to everything
around us which makes us human.

Personality, as they always say, "everyone is different," but how can we say that if we are all
humans? It is due to personality, it differs or distinguishes a person based to his or her own consistent
thinking and behavior. It could be from nature, which means it was developed biologically from
parents, or it could be from nurture, which means it was developed through the environment or our
social life. We are all accustomed to our own beliefs, principles and values that enables us to make
judgement and act on every situation. We can’t deny the fact that it is different for everybody and that
is what makes us different from one another. I recall hearing the phrase "we are built different," which
implies that the moment we step into this reality, we will be like an empty box eager to be filled with
many of the world's wonders, but we also want to be labeled as to who and what we are. And that
box will begin to wonder about its own identity and how it differs from other boxes.
 Humans are assumed to adapt quickly in all situations or circumstances. The thing is, how are
we able to do that so easily? In my personal view, it is because of behavior. It is how we act that can
be directly or indirectly observed solely based on our principles, values, morals and beliefs. All
appliances are programmed to do specific chores or tasks just like appliances, we are programmed by
our systems in order for us to act in every condition. For example, we had a family reunion, and I will
be meeting some of our old relatives. I greet them with “po” and “opo” and I always try to be humble
every time I spoke to them because that is what my morals told me to do. Because my morals told me
to be respectful in front of my elderly relatives, hence why I acted respectfully and with humility.
Behavior varies on what we know from right or wrong. It also varies depending on whether we are in
a professional environment, such as at work, or a carefree environment with friends and family. All of
these are within ourselves, it is like a course of life which naturally happens, that is why I believed that
personality and behavior constitutes human nature.

In conclusion, human nature is our natural reaction to everything around us that distinguishes
us as humans. Let us have a recap with our scenario, a woman is angry at her car, she keeps yelling
that the gas tank is empty and proceeds to kick it continuously. The woman has noticed that her gas
tank is empty, so she believes she should be angry because she may have an appointment or need to
be somewhere else right away. That is why she repeatedly kicks her car, believing that her actions will
relieve her anger. Others may have a different perspective on what could be done, such as asking for
help and remaining calm throughout the struggle. Personality and behavior determine our daily
choices in life. The thing is it really human nature? Are we really free to make our own choices or are
we just following the standards that are set by our society?