How to be happy though human / by W. Béran Wolfe.
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- Publication/creation
- London : George Routledge, 1932.
- Physical description
- xiv, 374 pages ; 22 cm
- Contributors
- Wolfe, W. Béran 1900-1935.
- Notes
-
This edition was reprinted in 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1942, 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1948.
Copy 1 Note: 1937 reprint. X158203
- Attribution and usage
-
Wellcome Collection
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The image contains the following text:
*35
answered both negatively and affirmatively. The
personality goal usually does not change, but the
environment frequently does, with the result that an
entirely different set of tools is required. The variation
of character traits with a change in environment (but the
maintenance of the same goal) may be explained by an
analogy taken from the business world. A man gambles
on the stock market for the purpose of getting rich
quickly. When there is a bull ” market, that is when
the prices of securities are rising, he plays “ bull ”,
expecting to capitalize the general tendency of securities
to rise in price. Suppose that a crash occurs, and the
market changes from a “ bull ” market to a bear ”
market. The general tendency of stocks is to depreciate
in value. Our friend would lose money if he continued
to play “ bull ” in the face of a *e falling ” market. Fie
changes his tactics, and begins to play “ bear ??. In this
case he capitalizes the falling value of securities. By
changing his tactics he continues to make money. His
goal throughout these operations remains fixed ; to
make money quickly.
This sudden change of character traits which so often
baffles students of human nature who do not under-
stand the purposive nature of all human conduct, is
frequently found in its most obvious manifestations in
childhood. Edgar T., aged eleven, is a model child at
home. He helps in the household, is well beloved,
independent, neat, courteous, and friendly. At school
he is a problem child. He disturbs the work and the play
of other children. He annoys the teacher by making all
manner of strange noises during recitations and refuses
to study when the other children are studying. He teases
his classmates, is mean, vindictive, untidy, unfriendly, and
discourteous.
The goal of this child remains the same, although his
character seems to change magically the moment he
enters his classroom. At home Edgar is the only child,
and well beloved. He sacrifices a few pawns in his
strategic technique of holding his prestige in his family