Core Behavior and Adaptability
Erikson defines core behavior as how a person would act from their values and attitudes without external influence. He argues that greater self-understanding makes it easier to adapt behavior to other people.
THE IDEA
The Results
Both my core values and my attitudes affect how I choose my behavior. Together they form my core behavior, the real person I want to be. My core behavior is how I act in complete freedom, without the influence of any external factors at all.
You probably already see the issue here: When are we ever completely free from external influences? When I discuss this question with groups of people in different contexts, we all usually agree: only when we’re sleeping.
But people are different. Some don’t care. They are always themselves because they’ve never reflected upon how they are perceived. The stronger your self-understanding is, the greater your probability of adapting to the people around you.
When to use it
Navigating workplace dynamics where adaptation is necessary for collaboration and professional success.
Deciding whether to express your true political opinion in a diverse social gathering.
Balancing personal values with cultural norms when traveling internationally.
Choosing how to present your personality in a job interview to match the company culture.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Professional Adaptation
An outgoing person in a formal workplace may choose to act more reserved to fit in, demonstrating how self-understanding can lead to adaptive behavior that deviates from core behavior.
Honesty vs. Harm
A person who values honesty might still tell a white lie to avoid hurting a friend's feelings, showing the tension between core values and external social influence.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
In what situations do you feel you are acting most authentically, and when do you adapt your behavior based on external factors?
How does your level of self-understanding influence your willingness to adapt to different social contexts?
Can you recall a time when adapting your behavior led to a positive outcome, even though it felt inauthentic? What did you learn?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Surrounded By Idiots (Thomas Erikson)