CRITICISM AND APPRECIATION

CRITICISM AND APPRECIATION

Towards the human behaviour

 

Nwanyanwu Chris

The make-up of human beings is very complex. It is complex in the sense that every aspect of the life of human beings has great influence on what the character of the person will be dressed in. We are saying this because what happens in the within of a person can never be treated with levity although we may not actually be put to the know with regard to that.

The human behaviour can marry a division of two namely: the overt and the covert; while the overt can be seen and experienced by others, the covert is known to the person alone. Whatever side of the division we are actually looking at it from, the point remains that human behaviour is a product of many factors. There could be religious factors, economic, political, social, psychological, etc. All these in one way of the other affect the covert actions of human beings.

Taking the psychological factor as the dimension of our work, the mind is a great factor in driving human beings to action. That is, what happens to the mind affects the actions of human beings. Whatever the mind receives at any point in time has 90% probability of affecting the covert behaviours of one. Various feelings come to the mind with regard to the actions performed; hence, whatever happens or comes to the mind in relation with the action performed affects the chances of continuing the action.

Criticism and appreciation are the two major responses that come to one as regards the action performed. While criticism is of discouragement that of appreciation is for encouragement, and this occurs in many forms as possible. And so how the mind receives these responses in any situation affects the chances of stopping an act or continuing in the same act.

Unfortunately, it must be noted that some people mis-understand and mis-interpret these responses and as such fail to act in line with them. Again, it is worthy to note that people actually mis-use them such that they are often used when actually they are not supposed to as it concerns human beings.

 Also, we have situations whereby these responses are not real as they are just pretence of the actual response for an action. And this has actually led people astray. It is also worthy to note that there is a middle state between criticism and appreciation. This is the state of silence or leniency. All these form the mkpụrụ-ihe of this expose.

In as much as we are human beings and social beings too and very important too contingent beings, we cannot run away from going towards the contrary with regard to the existing rules and principles of any environment we find ourselves. And because the said action which is not the expected ought to be eschewed, criticism is given to the performer of the action in relation to the action committed. The role of this type of response is to remind that person that people around are not actually comfortable with that and as such ought to be replaced with the better.

 Unfortunately as the human mind is so much in love with only the pleasurable things and since this response of criticism is not pleasurable, the one is likely the feel bad about the whole thing. Although there could still be false and baseless criticism, criticism do not act as killing or weakening the spirit; instead what it does is weakening the spirit in that act that is not good with the hope of strengthening the same spirit to do the right and the ought.

Moreover, while some persons will say that a little appreciation would have been better at least instead of criticism at least for the sake of the effort being made, I strongly belief that appreciation no matter the level is given to one who is actually very much far away from the ought not and close to the ought if nit at the ought already. In other words, so long as an action is not the ought, it ought to be criticised.  However, care must be taken so as to deliver this kind of response at prudently; for the best and fruitful correction is done prudently.

Also, we expect that everyone should act in a certain way at least in conformity with the standard of that environment. Now whoever goes beyond the ordinarily expected in terms of following the standard does not deserve criticism but appreciation. In other words, when one is seriously making efforts in keeping to the expected, he/she is appreciated. Although, people are likely to criticise whereas they should appreciate, the fact remains that so long as the action conforms with the given, it deserves an appreciation.

Appreciation which is a form of commendation for what has been done goes a long way to affect people’s life just as criticism. The more one understands the essence of any kind of response given, the better he will act accordingly. This is because the person who misunderstands the criticism given to him may choose not to avoid and stop that action/practice, may be as a way of revolting.  But then that is uncalled for; for what is wrong is wrong.

Worthy to bring to this table of valuable party is that very fact that people give out false response to the action of others. This is particularly the case when one is not criticised for the ill-action performed; but rather commended for that. This is mostly seen in the political arena whereby those around public officers sing praises for those officers whereas they ought to be criticised. It also happens when one is applauded for a wrong action or also when one is advised not to worry about the action for it is normal/natural. This has been the situation within our community as we live our everyday life. Unfortunately this caused more harm than good. Yes it is human to err but it is inhumane to rejoice over what one should be ashamed of.

In essence, what we are saying is that to encourage or discourage a human behaviour, criticism and appreciation are highly influential factors. They can only serve the appropriate function when they are given at the right time to the right person and in truth. When there is a contrary of the above, there seems to be problem; and this problem will eventually become a common one. But it is also good to say here that although we naturally demand for response of criticism and appreciation, their absence or wrong usage should not blind fold us in the evil we do or weaken us in the good we do.

We should always listen to our conscience first. In the case where it is weak, the relationship between our action and the standard of the community we find ourselves should be able to help us in this regard. At times too, people could still give us true responses. Therefore, a sense of humility and wisdom is required!