Directionality in human behaviour

Abstract

An exposition of the concept of directionality in human behaviour in general is given, as well as a brief indication of the extent to which adolescence is primarily a developmental phase characterized by directional fluidity and the seeking of directional identity. Briefly this entails a discussion of the perpetual state of fluctuating incongruency between ideal and reality and the fact that this existential differential is closely interwoven with conceptions of right and wrong. Furthermore attention is devoted to the phenomenon that individuals, groups, and even total societies are submitted continuously to the inevitable necessity of making evaluative choices. This existential state of man — and particularly of the adolescent — requires of all those in pOSitions of directional authority (i.e. parents, peers, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, probation officers, etc.) to be aware of their directional influence on others, and particularly on adolescents, and accordingly to act in a conscious, intentional, and respo~sible way in this regard.