--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Many theories of behavior pivot around a…" description: "\"“Many theories of behavior pivot around a particular human tendency: We’re keen responders to positive and negative reinforcements, or zippy calculator..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c0/daniel-h-pink-1532_behavior_many-theories-of-behavior-pivot-around-a_1060877.png" --- # Many theories of behavior pivot around a particular human… ![“Many theories of behavior pivot around a particular human tendency: We’re keen responders to positive and negative reinforcements, or zippy calculators of our self-interest, or lumpy duffel bags of psychosexual conflicts.” quote by Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c0/daniel-h-pink-1532_behavior_many-theories-of-behavior-pivot-around-a_1060877.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c0/daniel-h-pink-1532_behavior_many-theories-of-behavior-pivot-around-a_1060877.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c0/daniel-h-pink-1532_behavior_many-theories-of-behavior-pivot-around-a_1060877.png) > ““Many theories of behavior pivot around a particular human tendency: We’re keen responders to positive and negative reinforcements, or zippy calculators of our self-interest, or lumpy duffel bags of psychosexual conflicts.”” [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Behavior is driven by reinforcement, self‑interest, and deep psychosexual conflicts. **In simple terms:** Motivation stems from rewards, self‑interest, and inner conflicts. Key Takeaway Recognize multiple drives behind actions. Themes motivation psychology behavior reinforcement self‑interest Mood analytical educational Type theoretical psychological When to use this quote - workplace incentives - personal goals - conflict resolution Key Concepts behavioral economics psychodynamic theory self‑determination Questions to Reflect On - Which drive dominates your decisions? - How do conflicts shape behavior? A Different Perspective Oversimplifies human complexity; cultural factors matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bags Psychosexual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bags-psychosexual-2590095/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Human Tendency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-tendency-629582/) [Psychosexual Conflicts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychosexual-conflicts-2590094/) [Theories Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theories-behavior-2590093/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [I think it's a human tendency that's been around for a while to try to be as good as possible to prove your worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-think-it-s-a-human-tendency-that-s-been-around-for-a-while-to-try/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [We must all beware the very real and understandable human tendency to ignore or subvert facts, and findings of science, that discomfort us for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-r-brody/we-must-all-beware-the-very-real-and-understandable-human-tendency-to/) [William R. Brody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-r-brody/) > [“Nothing has sunk more creators and caused more unhappiness than this: our inherently human tendency to pursue a strategy aimed at accomplishing one goal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/nothing-has-sunk-more-creators-and-caused-more-unhappiness-than-this/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“Human tendency is to make mountains out of molehills. Yet when we examine our problems...we realize it's how we look at them...that really makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/human-tendency-is-to-make-mountains-out-of-molehills-yet-when-we/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [“I suppose it's human tendency to treat the people who you've wronged badly though, isn't it? Easier to dismiss them if you can pretend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-buroker/i-suppose-it-s-human-tendency-to-treat-the-people-who-you-ve-wronged/) [Lindsay Buroker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-buroker/) > [There's an interesting trend that occurs in times of mounting pressure and high uncertainty, which is that it's a natural human tendency to seek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagel-iii/there-s-an-interesting-trend-that-occurs-in-times-of-mounting/) [John Hagel III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagel-iii/) > [“It is a human tendency to become what you attack.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/it-is-a-human-tendency-to-become-what-you-attack/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [Do not Show excess Love, Affection, help to everyone because it is a Human Tendency to Underestimate the Things given to them for Free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-thaman/do-not-show-excess-love-affection-help-to-everyone-because-it-is-a/) [Arjun Thaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-thaman/) > [Never show excess affection and care to anyone, Bcoz its human tendency to underestimate anything given free of cost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/never-show-excess-affection-and-care-to-anyone-bcoz-its-human/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The more we start liking somebody, the more we fear losing them. It's a human tendency because we can't afford to lose a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-more-we-start-liking-somebody-the-more-we-fear-losing-them-it-s-a/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“Our normal human tendency is to enjoy life, to play, to explore, to be happy, and to love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/our-normal-human-tendency-is-to-enjoy-life-to-play-to-explore-to-be/) [Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/) > [The human tendency to regard little things as important has produced very many great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/the-human-tendency-to-regard-little-things-as-important-has-produced/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [It is a human tendency "to measure truth and error by our capacity."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/it-is-a-human-tendency-to-measure-truth-and-error-by-our-capacity/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [When people speak of Time's healing magic, they are simply being euphemistic about our human tendency - and perhaps necessity - to forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-burgoyne-corbett/when-people-speak-of-time-s-healing-magic-they-are-simply-being/) [Elizabeth Burgoyne Corbett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-burgoyne-corbett/) > [Dictators have always played on the natural human tendency to blame others and to oversimplify.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-k-o-neill/dictators-have-always-played-on-the-natural-human-tendency-to-blame/) [Gerard K. O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-k-o-neill/) ## More by Daniel H. Pink > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“morning people to be pleasant, productive folks—“introverted,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/morning-people-to-be-pleasant-productive-folks-introverted/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“tweeters felt active, engaged, and hopeful—generally rose in the morning, plummeted in the afternoon”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/tweeters-felt-active-engaged-and-hopeful-generally-rose-in-the/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The longer it takes for a boss to respond to their e-mails, the less satisfied people are with their leader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-longer-it-takes-for-a-boss-to-respond-to-their-e-mails-the-less/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [For creative tasks, the best approach is often just to hire great people and get out of their way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/for-creative-tasks-the-best-approach-is-often-just-to-hire-great/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The less evidence of extrinsic motivation during art school, the more success in professional art both several years after graduation and nearly twenty years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-less-evidence-of-extrinsic-motivation-during-art-school-the-more/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [If you look at the very best presidents, the most effective presidents, they were always decent salespeople. Ronald Reagan was an extremely effective salesman,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/if-you-look-at-the-very-best-presidents-the-most-effective-presidents/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“the more they chat and gossip—the more they get done”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-more-they-chat-and-gossip-the-more-they-get-done/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“continuing to think about job demands during breaks may result in strain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/continuing-to-think-about-job-demands-during-breaks-may-result-in/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“The quality of the problem that is found is a forerunner of the quality of the solution that is attained . . .” Getzels concluded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-quality-of-the-problem-that-is-found-is-a-forerunner-of-the/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [When we make progress and get better at something, it is inherently motivating. In order for people to make progress, they have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/when-we-make-progress-and-get-better-at-something-it-is-inherently/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“innovation and creativity are greatest when we are not at our best”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/innovation-and-creativity-are-greatest-when-we-are-not-at-our-best/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Temporal landmarks slow our thinking, allowing us to deliberate at a higher level and make better decisions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/temporal-landmarks-slow-our-thinking-allowing-us-to-deliberate-at-a/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Jobs that offer autonomy but little challenge bore us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/jobs-that-offer-autonomy-but-little-challenge-bore-us/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“richest experiences in our lives aren’t when we’re clamoring for validation from others, but when we’re listening to our own voice—doing something that matters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/richest-experiences-in-our-lives-aren-t-when-we-re-clamoring-for/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) [Explore all 230 Daniel H. Pink quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) ## More Behavior quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) [J. Willard Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-willard-gibbs/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I think we've told a lot of lies about human behavior through film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/i-think-we-ve-told-a-lot-of-lies-about-human-behavior-through-film/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/the-strongest-rebellion-may-be-expressed-in-quiet-undramatic-behavior/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 4,218 Behavior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Many theories of behavior pivot around a particular human tendency: We’re keen responders to positive and negative reinforcements, or zippy calculators of our self-interest, or lumpy duffel bags of psychosexual conflicts.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Daniel H. 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