The Human Psyche: The Most Valuable Non-Fossil Fuel Resource - Essay Sample

Introduction

The human psyche is an intriguing phenomenal so much that some people argue that psychology is not a science. Their argument stems from the fact that it is near-impossible to quantify cognitive factors. Currently, psychology is considered a science and quantification of cognitive factors is possible. That alone is a testament of why the human psyche is most valuable non-fossil fuel resource. It is by the proper leveraging of the human psyche that some of the most significant discoveries and advancements in humanity were made possible. Great poetry and literature great art, wonderful inventions, and great feats were primarily engendered by great application of the human psyche. Those who effectively leverage the human psyche eventually end up as heroes. For example, Thomas Jefferson's ingenuity made him wealthy and famous to the point he ended up as the President of the United States of America. Homer Hardley Hickam, America's Rocket Boy, author, and hero is a great testament of how properly leveraging the human psyche as a resource can lead to extraordinary feats in any human being.

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The concept of equality is derived from the claim that all human beings are born the same. The claim is widely accepted and the argument is that the differences that emerge are a product of the beliefs we acquire over time (Grusec and Hastings 3). As per the social learning theory, the human brain is the equivalent of a sponge that continuously absorbs information from birth. The information is critical for decision-making as every choice is based on an analysis of information. Antonio Bandura's social learning theory implies that how we learn to deal with situations in early development has a significant bearing on character and behavior (Akers and Jennings 230).

Bandura's social learning theory also claims that an individual's behavior can be moulded using either positive or negative reinforcement. Here, Bandura claims that with the proper incentive, an individual can be motivated to behave as needed a claim echoed by Patterson in his coercion theory (7). Both Bandura and Patterson claim that human behavior is motivated by a need which must be fulfilled for satisfaction to be attained. Since all human needs have some underlying needs, what makes other people heroes and others ordinary? Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory properly explains the underlying reason behind the disparity between individuals. The hierarchy of needs theory claims that human needs are categorized into 5 groups each with varying motivations to be met (Cherry). The psychological needs are primary and those are most demanding in all human beings. However, safety, security, and self-actualization needs vary in importance among individuals. Those who hold the aforementioned needs in high regard are more motivated for their fulfilment. Ensuring safety and security is a crucial desire of an individual with heroic dispositions. Exploits and innovation are products of a quest to achieve one's potential implying that people with huge ambitions are more motivated towards the realization of their self-actualization needs (Fallatah and Syed 21).

Success and extraordinary feats are often experienced by people with equally intriguing stories to tell. In fact, the stories of the greatest men and women are a product of intense focus on the price circumstances notwithstanding. Mandela had to persevere for 24 years for his dream to see the end of Apartheid realized. The freedoms we hold so dearly today were purchased by blood. This is the cost factor. Everything has a cost attached to it and a price to be paid. For Homer Hardley Hickam, the price for his fame warrants the title bestowed upon him as one of the Rocket Boys. Born on the 19th of February 1943, Hickam is a renowned author, a Vietnam War veteran and one of the NASA engineers responsible for the training of the first Japanese astronauts (Gamble). Serving one's country in war and through literature is an enormous feat. Add rocket science and the individual is arguably one of America's greatest heroes. Hickam's exploits are a product of uninhibited passion, hard work, and determination.

Coalwood, West Virginia's Homer Hickam is first and foremost a man of unquenchable passion. There are several indications to support this claim. First, the great man Hickam was not only a rocket engineer. He was also an army man fighting to protect the freedoms and liberties of the citizens. Hickam served a 6-year term from 1964 to 1970 before being honourably discharged as a captain with an army commendation medal and a bronze star (Hickam). Despite being intellectually gifted, he chose to serve in the army out of passion for the country. The same passion drove him to tirelessly engage in the rocket project with his friends who were other members of the Big Creek Missile Agency (BCMA) (Hickam). There are several times that Homer's father discourages him from pursuing what he calls 'foolishness". However, Hickam is undiscouraged and goes on to pursue his dream. In the end, his unrelenting passion sees him end up in NASA as a rocket engineer. His passion further resonates through the fact that he has single-handedly documented his exploits both in war and in rocket engineering. The detailed recording is a passionate approach to any engagement and this further emphasizes the role unrelenting passion has played in establishing Hickam as an American hero.

The Chinese are considered largely effective and excellent in virtually all they do primarily because of their impeccable discipline. Mastery of anything requires discipline which is often depicted by consistency. To master anything one must be consistent. Hickam's dream has been consistent ever since the day he conceived it. In his excerpt on how determination drove the country's race to the moon. He claims how as a 17-year-old he had first conversed with JF Kennedy in a public rally about going to the moon and how years later, even after JFK had passed, he was able to achieve both their dreams. Hickam's consistency landed him a position on NASA's engineering team. Hickam had been consistent from the start despite discouragement from almost everyone in his life. In line with the consistency, Hickam was also extremely determined. Factoring in the number of obstacles he faced towards the attainment of the prestigious title he holds, it is apparent that sheer determination played an integral part in shaping who Hickam became.

Homer had a brother who was an excellent athlete who was hoping to land a football scholarship to college. His father encouraged the brother's pursuit but discouraged Homer in his pursuits urging Hickam to join him at the coal mines after school. Despite little support from home, Homer persevered and pushed on for he was determined to achieve his goal. The same lack of support was experienced also in school with several cases of stigmatization from students and teachers including the school's principal (Hickam 39). The greatest depiction of Homer and his friends' determination is how despite support by their parents and the teachers, the same were able to research on aerodynamics and successfully developed functioning prototypes. Determination is arguably the basic requirement for heroism as it drives individuals to power on despite all things.

A determined Homer went on to become one of America's most celebrated heroes because of his desire to do the extraordinary at all costs. At a time when thinking about going to the moon was a concept that intrigued and scared people at the same time, Homer was willing to have a public discussion with a would-be president of the United States of America on the subject (Hickam 39). Additionally, he went as far as get to work on the actualization of his absurd dream. Although a renowned author now, Hickam's fame is primarily because of his landmark approach to rocket science. His exploits with his friends when they were younger set a path towards the attainment of his hero status and are a testament of what an insatiable desire for greatness is a greater prerequisite to the same.

Homer Hardley Hickam is without a doubt a great man and an American hero. However, the exploits he has been able to achieve are a product of conditioning. Bandura's social learning theory explains that the tough life he was subjected to with very little support meant that Hickam grew up understanding that he was all he has and this made him strong and driven. Additionally, as per Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, Homer highly rates safety, security, and self-actualization needs which makes him more inclined to heroic behavior. Consequently, he is inclined to be motivated towards the attainment of security and personal growth and achievement. Based on these views shared by various psychologists, determination and the desire for self-actualization are the primary reasons for the heroic exploits displayed by Homer Hardley Hickam.

Work Cited

Akers, Ronald L., and Wesley G. Jennings. "Social learning theory." The Handbook of Criminological Theory 4 (2015): 230.

Cherry, Kendra. "Maslow'sHierarchy of Needs." Dursun, A.(2011). Dede Korkut Hikayelerinde Halk Hukuku. Electronic TurkishStudies 6.4 (2017).

Fallatah, Rodwan Hashim Mohammed, and Jawad Syed. "A Critical Review of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." Employee Motivation in Saudi Arabia. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018. 19-59.

Gamble, Bruce. Kangaroo Squadron: American Courage in the Darkest Days of World War II. Hachette UK, 2018.

Grusec, Joan E., and Paul David Hastings, eds. Handbook of socialization: Theory and research. Guilford Publications, 2014.

Hickam, Homer H. Rocket boys: A Memoir. Random House Digital, Inc., 2000.

Hickam, Homer H. Sky of stone. Vol. 3. Dell, 2002.

Hickam, Homer. "Determination drove country's historic race to the moon." USA Today, 27 Sept. 2010, p. 39. U.S. History in Context, http://link.galegroup.com.aclibproxy.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A238232708/UHIC?u=txshracd2904&sid=UHIC&xid=bda3d9e1. Accessed 25 Apr. 2019.

Patterson, Gerald R. "Coercion theory: The study of change." The Oxford handbook of coercive relationship dynamics(2016): 7-22.