As you know, after the 11th grade, all students of secondary schools pass final exams in the form of tests, the so-called exam. Among subjects of choice there are the discipline "Social Studies". An exam on it must be passed to those who are going to enter humanitarian universities, for example, the faculty of foreign languages. Possible test question: "What characterizes human activity and animal behavior?" - one of the most difficult.
This article will provide some useful information on the topic, as well as the correct answer to the task.
Similarities and differences between human activities and animal behavior
To understand this issue, you need to analyze the characteristics of the activity of intelligent creatures and other representatives of nature in three ways:
- The first of these areas is the structure of human activity and animals. Considering the problem from this point of view, it is necessary to find out what laws obey the activity of people and our smaller brothers, and find possible similarities and differences.
- The second thing to be understood is the function of activity in the life of various creatures.
- The last point worth highlighting is the history of the emergence of human and animal behavior.
Structural features
How is human activity different from animal behavior?
Such activity in humans and animals is due to the need to satisfy certain needs. This is one of the similarities of these phenomena.
Human activity differs from animal behavior by the presence of goals and objectives that are aimed not only at satisfying natural needs. The latter can be attributed to the needs of creatures such as satisfying hunger, security, procreation, and so on. Of course, people also need to take certain actions aimed at achieving the same goals as in animals.
Chain links
However, this process in them can be divided into several smaller acts, each of which is not in itself aimed at satisfying hunger, at self-defense or similar aspirations.
These links of the chain can only be called steps towards the achievement of a single goal. So, for example, getting an education, finding a job and even making money by themselves are not aimed at providing a person with the necessary food and housing conditions, but serve only as a step that leads to the intended result.
Creation
So the long-awaited answer was found: human activity and animal behavior are characterized by the presence of a specific goal, but only rational creatures can set themselves tasks that are not dictated by reflexes and instincts.
If the above examples - work, training, and so on - albeit indirectly, but lead to the satisfying of natural needs, then such a phenomenon as creativity very often exists independently. This is not about professional art, but about the satisfaction of aesthetic needs of a person. The same can be said about reading books, watching TV shows and other receiving information in order to brighten up leisure. Similar actions in the animal world are impossible. It is difficult to imagine a dog that would paint pictures or do something similar.
Team work
In addition, both human activities and animal behavior are characterized by a focus on a specific result. But if this result among our younger brothers is always manifested in the results that are associated with the individual performing this or that act, then in intelligent creatures the process can be carried out so that later it can be continued by another individual.
In human society, various forms of collective activity are widespread. Statistics claim that most people are engaged in work that involves interacting with others.
Some will object, saying that in packs of wolves hunting is widespread with the participation of all members of the clan. But such an activity always ends with satisfying the vital needs of each animal. Wolves share the killed prey and are fed with it. And the work of people in production is not directly related to the achievement of such a goal. Human activity, as a rule, is more complex in nature, and its result is achieved by a logical analysis of how to carry out a particular task, as well as by considering the possibility of achieving it in collaboration with other persons.
Thus, it can be said that although human activity and animal behavior are characterized by a goal aimed at satisfying certain needs, however, in humans, such activity carries, firstly, a meaningful character, and secondly, it can be much more complex and branched structure. In intelligent creatures, the very nature of activity differs from that it exists in the world of fauna.
A rational approach to solving problems
Human activity and animal behavior are characterized by the advancement of certain goals, however, as already mentioned, in animals it is caused by the most primitive, natural needs, and in intelligent creatures these processes are more complex. If instincts and reflexes dominate in the wild, then a person may not obey them, but be guided by the impulses that consciousness gives him as a result of an analysis of the environment and other circumstances. There are times when feelings and actions dictated by reason come into conflict with each other. And if an individual is mentally healthy, then he usually chooses an option based on logic and common sense.
The following situation can be cited as an example: a person is going to take a long walk on a fine autumn day. He sees that the sun shines quite brightly, the sky is cloudless and the air temperature is high. Despite this, a person takes warm clothes with him. If he was guided only by instincts and acted in accordance with the situation that he is currently observing, then, naturally, he would not have taken warm things, but went for a light walk. However, he, on the basis of life experience and the knowledge that other people have given him, analyzes the situation and decides that he should be careful and bring along a jacket and hat that will save him from a cold snap, which may start in the evening.
One more example
One can imagine the following situation for comparing the motives that characterize human activity and animal behavior. Someone is very thirsty; there are no food outlets around him where he could buy soft drinks.
Suddenly, the poor man sees a puddle filled with dirty water. Most likely, he will not satisfy his need with liquid from this unpleasant source. Here the desire of man comes into conflict with his intellect. He has relevant knowledge that does not allow the use of liquid from dirty sources. And a person will do this only as a last resort.
Freedom to make informed choices
Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that human activities and animal behavior are characterized by different motives. In a rational being, actions need not be subordinate to instincts or reflexes. For our younger brothers, all their actions are involuntary, that is, based on the features laid down in them from birth.
Accordingly, it is logical to say that representatives of the fauna are in a slave position in relation to natural inclinations. Man is the subject of his existence. Intelligence protects against blind submission to instincts. Accordingly, the function of human actions is free actions, and of animals - acts caused by innate features.
Generational Experience
From the previous material presented in the article, the answer to the question is obvious: what characterizes the actions of man and the actions of animals? However, it is worth saying a few more words that in the world of fauna creatures learn any actions based on their life experience. In human society, the practice of transmitting information from parents to children about how to behave in different situations is widespread.
Now you know how human activity differs from animal behavior. The information collected in the article may be useful both to students during the preparation of homework, as well as to those who are going to take the Unified State Exam, and to teachers of the subject "Social Studies".