Book Review: Assumptions about Human Nature

Chapter 8 (co-authored by L. Stack, C.E. Young, and L.S. Wrightsman) explores how assumptions about human nature develop in children and adolescents, while in chapter 9 (co-authored by N.J. Baker and L.S. Wrightsman) the authors attempt to reveal the influence of the "Zeitgeist" on the formation of these beliefs. Chapter 10 (co-authored by G.W. Baxter, R.N. Claxton, and L.S. Wrightsman) reviews attempts to charge these basic assumptions (attitude change). In chapter 11, finally, the author discusses some "novel approaches" to the study of assumptions focusing on assumptions held by members of some communal groups.

For practitioners the book may prove to be somewhat disappointing. The results obtained by administering the "Philosophies of Human Nature Scale" to various subject populations reveal little that is new or surprising as far as inter-personal attitudes are concerned. The finding that "occupational differences are consistent with the values and orientation of each occupation" my serve as an example. The conclusions reached at the end of chapter 10 ("How much change is possible?") may sound unduly pessimistic to many practitioners: "It seems likely that philosophies of human nature do not change much after a person reaches adolescence" and "Everyday experiences have very little influence once attitudes have been established". What are the "implications for practitioners" if this view is accepted?

Peter Stehle