Humanity is distinguished by the ability to act in its own interests, creating large-scale, comprehensive benefits. It makes our life comfortable.
Activity as a way of human existence determines the welfare of each individual person and society as a whole. This behavior allows you to change the world around us. What constitutes this process, as well as what contributes to human activity, needs to be considered in more detail.
General concept
Human activity is a form of interaction with the world that surrounds us. This process gives people the opportunity to explore the world, and on the basis of data received from outside, they build their behavioral models. The combination of these features translates into the ability of mankind to change the world.
Thanks to activities, we can satisfy our needs for material wealth (food, shelter, clothing, etc.), and also develop spiritually. This process involves, for example, art, science, etc.
Also, human activities can be aimed at self-development, improvement of oneās personality. Strengthening the willpower, the development of certain qualities of character or ability is bearing fruit in the future.
Distinctive features
Activity is an opportunity to improve the environment, transform the world so that we are comfortable living in appropriate conditions. In the interests of people every year new goods are created that have never been in nature.
Human activity is distinguished by a social and transformative nature, as well as productivity and consciousness. This distinguishes us from the behavior of other living beings within the framework established by nature.
We consciously put forward our goals, which allows us to predict the final result. Our behavior leads to the receipt of products, benefits. For this, a person uses various tools. The transforming nature of human labor allows you to change yourself, as well as the surrounding reality. The social nature of the activity is manifested in the ability to make contacts and in cooperation to produce common benefits for all.
Human needs
By creating the necessary conditions for existence, a person satisfies his needs. People experience and realize their need in certain conditions created to support life, as well as personal development.
Needs are most often grouped into 3 groups. This is a natural, social and ideal need of a person to create specific conditions for his existence.
Natural needs are given to us by nature. We are born with them, therefore they are biological (or physiological). This includes all the needs necessary for life, reproduction: food, shelter, water, sleep, etc.
Social needs include those related to work , social activity and communication. People need achievements, recognition from others.
The highest stage is cultural needs. This allows a person to develop their spiritual abilities, talents, and also to know the world around them.
Relationship needs
When studying activity as a way of human existence, attention should be paid to the interaction of needs. All three categories discussed above are interconnected. For example, in satisfying his needs for food, a person takes care of a variety of dishes, aesthetics of the table, the beauty and cleanliness of cutlery, a pleasant society, etc.
A feature of human nature is an extremely rare state of complete satisfaction of their needs. If some need is satisfied, another pops up, capturing his attention and forcing him to direct his efforts to a certain area.
Needs also have their own hierarchy. Until natural needs are satisfied , a person does not pay attention to his social and cultural needs. In order to develop spiritually, it is necessary to have some minimum of satisfied needs for food, communication, etc.
Structure
Studying what basic types of human activity are determined in the course of our evolutionary development, one cannot overlook the structure of this process. All our actions are determined by purpose. To achieve it, a person uses certain means. This allows you to get the desired result.
The goal is the awareness of the consequences, the achievement of which is directed by human forces. First, the mental contours of the future product or result arise. Next, a person thinks what means will help him to reach his desired goal.
Using the necessary tools, gaining certain knowledge and skills, a person receives a result. It can be both material and spiritual benefits. This person desires consciously.
Main activities
Activity as a way of existence of a person and society has several main directions. They are classified according to various criteria. First of all, the process of creation can be practical or spiritual. It depends on our attitude to the world that surrounds us.
When a personās consciousness changes, it is a matter of spiritual activity. Transforming the material objects that exist in our reality, people carry out practical actions.
Activities can also be progressive and reactionary. This is due to the course of history and the development of the personality of each member of society. Our efforts may also be constructive or destructive.
Activities are legal or prohibited, acceptable and immoral. The formation of these varieties was influenced by the basic norms of morality, general cultural values.
On a social basis distinguish mass, collective or individual work. It is creative, innovative, template, monotonous or inventive, etc.
Motivation
Motivation of activity is the reason why a person puts forward a particular goal, is engaged in certain work. It is this explanation that drives us to create or destroy.
The motive is motivation. Sometimes, various reasons lead to the performance of the same type of activity. For example, a group of people is reading a book. One of them does this because he has a craving for new knowledge. Another person reads in order to take his free time. A third representative of the group is engaged in this activity in order to earn the approval of other members of the group.
It happens that the same motive leads to different activities. For example, wanting to earn the recognition of society, a person can show his abilities in the production, sports or social sphere, etc. The variety of motives and goals determines the overall activity.
Activity awareness
Activity as a way of human existence is a conscious process. However, the degree of this knowledge may be different. Motives are formed under the influence of interests, needs, as well as beliefs of a person. They give meaning to action.
The whole process of a personās work to achieve his goals consists of a sequence of certain acts. They are called action. For example, in the process of obtaining education, we read certain literature, listen to lectures by teachers, write down the material presented by them, solve problems and follow the instructions of teachers.
When a goal is set and at the same time a person presents its result, as well as the procedure for performing actions using specific means is established, this is called a conscious activity.
However, in reality, this process may go beyond goals and motivations. Strong feelings, emotions can influence actions. However, awareness of the goal may be absent. This causes impulsive actions. Such activity is called unconscious.
Stimulation
In the process of a personās work in various directions, motivation and stimulation of activity arise. If the motive is the reason why we carry out certain actions, then stimulation is a reward. This gives the activity efficiency.
Motivation and stimulation are a strategy. They mutually complement each other. For example, an enterprise can simultaneously improve working conditions, while increasing wages. Complexity gives a good result.
But stimulation and motivation can also confront each other. For example, wages increased by 5%, but inflation was 10%. Productivity for this reason has decreased. The motivation mechanism should be adequate to the stimulation process.
Having studied what constitutes activity as a way of human existence, we can realize the essence of this concept, as well as delve into its features.