Theory about Values, Attitudes, Emotions, Instincts, Behavior, Motivation, Delinquency, Criminality, Incentives, Compulsions, Drives, Needs, Cognitive Processes or Reasoning, Deviate Conduct, Personality and Mental Illnesses

Formulation of a General and Integral Theory of Psychology

Towards a Reformulation of the Contemporary Psychology

(The Theory of the Senergicons)

Editiorial Trillas, 1995

 

Professor Walter H. Bruckman of the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey campus, has published a book entitled, Towards a Reformulation of Contemporary Psychology (The Theory of Senergicons)

The explanation of behavior is this book's primary focus. It presents the reader with a model that explains behavior based on emotions and affective states in general. The fundamental hypothesis is that behavior is energized by affective states (emotions, compulsions, etc.) that constitute the basic elements of motivation. The theory takes its name from these affective states or energizing sensations of behavior. In Spanish, the word "senergicon" is composed by uniting the three words: "sensación-energizante-conductual." (in English, Behavioral-Energizing-Sensation) The theory of senergicons constitutes a critique of contemporary psychology and a new vision with which to examine the study of behavior. This theory proposes a model that explains behavior and allows, if the measurements proposed are achieved, the prediction of an individual's behavior before the different objects he confront, be they abstract or concrete. In chapter 19 multiple suggestions are made about the types of investigations or research that can be made to corroborate or discard this theory.

What importance does this work have for economists, sociologists, psychologists, and social scientists in general? Much of the economic underdevelopment of nations has its origins in causes that are not, strictly speaking, of an economic nature. Rather, they are psycho-sociological--specifically the attitudes. The theory of senergicons presents a model that explains how attitudes function and how they determine behavior. There is a general perception that positive attitudes towards the achievement of ethical values are the result of an increase or improvement in the standard of living. Experiences accumulated in Europe and Latin America left the strong impression on the author that the attitudes in these nations were not merely consequences that were accessories of the economic development reached, but rather that, on the contrary, they played a fundamental role in the level of economic development attained. In other words, economic well-being does not bring--is not the cause of-- correct attitudes as it is usually believed, but rather these attitudes are the cause of economic well-being.

The idea is not new. As we know, the sociologist Max Weber (1864-1920) introduced this thesis in his work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. More recently, other authors have also introduced similar theses, as for example, L. E. Harrison in his works: Who Prospers: How Cultural Values Shape Economic and Political Success (1992) and Underdevelopment is a State of Mind (1985). Nevertheless, a model has never been presented, at least not in a satisfactory manner, that explains the relationships between cause and effect between the values addressed by Weber or Harrison, the emotional or affective states and individual behavior as components of attitudes and motivation and that, moreover, does so in a way that is empirically verifiable. This is, in the first place, what led the author of this book to formulate some ideas about the role that attitude plays in underdevelopment and, secondly, to reformulate a psychological theory about attitudes. Finally, the reformulation of a theory of attitudes led to the formulation of a general theory of psychology which is constitutes the body of material presented in this book. If this theory is correct and if it is true that a substantial part of a nation's economic development depends on the attitude of its people, then incorporating this variable, not only into economic analysis, but to the field of economic research itself, would be of fundamental importance. Within this context, the development of a national database of statistics that reflects a measurement or quantitative index of this aspect is as essential and important as the proper determination and measurement of the gross national product. This determination would serve not only to initiate an economic development plan that includes increases to the level of this statistical index in underdeveloped countries, but also to record and follow-up on a yearly basis the level of development of the developed countries themselves.

To psychologists and sociologists the theory has clear implications. Given the importance it has to leaders to improve the standard of living in their societies, economics would reach a position of great prestige among the social sciences--to the point that, in order to make decisions, there would be almost no chief of state that would not depend on his economic advisors. If this theory turns out to be correct, and if its appreciation that a substantial part of economic development depends on attitude is also correct, in the future the principal advisors to heads of governments will be social psychologists or psycho sociologists apart from economists. In other words, we would be establishing a model of psychological and sociological theory whose functionality would make it into such an efficient and practical tool for the development planning as is economics itself.

The manner in which attitudes determine the level of economic development of nations is a topic that has been dealt with relatively little within sociological theory as well as within the fields of political science and economics. The theory of senergicons attempts to contribute in this sense, providing the economist, sociologist, and psychologist a new model within which to analyze social reality, in addition to providing multiple suggestions for research purposes.

The English language translation of this work can be obtained free of charge making clik here.

If the reader is interested in obtaining a copy of this book in Spanish he may do so by contacting his local bookstore. Its ISBN number is:

Bruckman Walter H.

Hacia una reformulación de la psicología contemporánea: la teoría de los senergicones

México: Trillas 1995

p. ; 25 cm

ISBN 968-24-5263-5

1. Psicología - Estudio y enseñanza.

2. Investigación psicológica. I. t.

LC- BF76.5'B7.4 ; D- 150.1'B263h

To obtain the book in Spanish by mail:

CUSPIDE / Libros HACIA UNA REFORMULACIÓN DE LA PSICOLOGÍA CONTEMPORÁNEA Autor BRUCKMAN Codigo 028095/08 ISBN 968-24-5263-5 Editorial TRILLA

In México Editorial Trillas

ACAPULCO - AGUASCALIENTES - CUERNAVACA - CULIACÁN - GUADALAJARA - LEON - MERIDA - MONTERREY - ORIZABA - PACHUCA - PUEBLA - QUERETARO - SAN LUIS POTOSÍ - TAMPICO - TOLUCA - TORREON - OAXACA - VERACRUZ - ZAMORA - CD DE MEXICO

ESPAÑABIBLOMEX, S.A.

VENEZUELALIMEX VENEZOLANA, C.A.

COLOMBIATRILLAS COLOMBIANA

ARGENTINAEDICIONES BRAGA

ARGENTINADISTRIBUIDORA CÚSPIDE

ARGENTINAEDITORIAL ATLANTEARGENTINA, S.R.L.

In Argentina Cuspide Libros - Psicología y Ciencias de la Educación

 

For suggestions or comments please write to:

e_mail: webmaster@walter-bruckman.com

Economic development depends on two fundamental factors: a psycho-social factor that has to do with the development and formation of attitudes in people and, specifically, attitudes that favor economic development; and an economic factor that involves the relationship between the elements that make-up the market system. The psycho-social aspects determine about 30 to 40 percent of economic development and the economic aspects the remaining 60 to 70 percent. The economic aspects are discussed in the book "Towards A Reformulation Of Contemporary Economics: The Theory of the Optimal Distribution of the Income" which is in process of being published and the psycho-social aspects are discussed in the present work.

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