Nothing would prove more disastrous to our ideas, we contended, than to neglect the effect of the internal upon the external, of the psychological motives and needs upon existing institutions. (p. 402)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Internal psychological motives affect external institutions, so ignoring them is disastrous.
- In plain terms
- Ignore people's inner motives at your peril.
- What can you take from it?
- Consider psychological factors in institutional design.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What hidden motives drive behavior?
- How do institutions affect minds?
Another view
External structures also shape internal psychology significantly.
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The people are asleep; they remain indifferent. They forge their own chains and do the bidding of their masters to crucify their Christs. (p. 304)
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