Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Tarhan, drawing attention to the education philosophy of totalitarian systems, said, “In authoritarian, fear and pressure-focused educational cultures, people are generally passive-aggressive. They say ‘Yes’ but don’t do it. That’s why there are many intelligent but lazy people in these societies. Because they have grown up dependent on external motivation. Therefore, innovative and entrepreneurial individuals emerge less.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, also stating that freedom is misunderstood, said, “Humans are free but not irresponsible. There is no freedom to harm others or oneself. Freedom gains its true meaning if balanced with responsibility.”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the topic of reward-punishment psychology on the program ‘Nevzat Tarhan ile Akla Ziyan’ broadcast on EKOTÜRK.
The human brain changes its reaction according to the education it receives
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the human brain’s reactions to the reward-punishment system function differently from an animal brain, and emphasized that internal motivation should be prioritized in the modern understanding of education.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that the animal brain reacts to punishment earlier, said, “The human brain changes its reaction according to the education it receives. If raised with much punishment, it reacts to punishment earlier; it responds to reward later. Humans can change and interpret this. In animals, the punishment response is faster. The brain’s reaction to negative events is six times greater and faster than its reaction to positive events.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that this situation is measured with EEG tests, said, “While the brain reacts to negative stimuli within 50 milliseconds, it takes 300 milliseconds for a reaction to positive stimuli. This means our brain perceives negative information approximately 6 times faster than positive information.”
Serotonin rewards the process, adds meaning
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that in modern neuroscience, the term ‘reward and avoidance pathways’ is used instead of ‘reward-punishment.’ He stated, “Giving a dog a treat for good behavior and punishing it for bad behavior works. But in the human brain, relying solely on the dopamine system, on external motivation, leads individuals to deceptive behaviors. The modern understanding says, don’t just use dopamine; activate the serotonin system too. Because serotonin rewards the process, it adds meaning.”
Reward the process, let internal motivation develop
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that a person’s character and sense of responsibility develop through process-oriented education, not external rewards, stating, “If you constantly tell someone ‘do this, get a reward; do that, get support,’ internal motivation won’t develop. People who always seek approval, who work only when the boss is present, and who slack off when not supervised will emerge. However, a person’s sense of autonomy should develop, and they should be able to do the right thing even when alone.”
Behaviors learned in childhood become personality through repetition
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that only one-third of human personality is genetic, while the rest is epigenetic, meaning it consists of learned habits. He said, “Behaviors learned in childhood become personality through repetition. If you repeat something for 6 weeks, it becomes a habit; if you repeat it for 6 months, it becomes a personality. Thanks to epigenetic mechanisms, the brain can shut down wrong impulses and automate correct behaviors.”
Cultures of oppression raise intelligent but lazy individuals
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, also drawing attention to the education philosophy of totalitarian systems, stated, “In authoritarian, fear-focused educational cultures, people are generally passive-aggressive. They say ‘Yes’ but don’t do it. That’s why there are many intelligent but lazy people in these societies. Because they have grown up dependent on external motivation. Therefore, innovative and entrepreneurial individuals emerge less. In secure societies, the law works, and individuals do not encounter unpredictable surprises. When they make a mistake, instead of being punished, they are offered a learning opportunity. This is why autonomy, risk-taking, and innovativeness develop. This trust is also at the core of internal motivation.”
Loneliness is the biggest problem of the modern age
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan highlighted the importance of secure attachment, empathy, and internal motivation for healthy human relationships, saying, “The biggest problem of the modern age is loneliness. Behind this lies inflated egos and an interest-driven understanding of life. However, humans need to learn with a focus on truth, not self-interest.”
Secure attachment and deep relationships
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that relationships established with close circles are a zone of trust for the individual, adding, “If a person’s bonds with their immediate relatives are deep and meaningful, then there is secure attachment. Home is a safe zone. Social relationships can also be safe but are more limited in terms of meaningfulness.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that individuals should not be limited solely to their work life, stating that people should definitely have a hobby they pursue amateurishly and enjoy.
Narcissistic perspective isolates
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, pointing out that relationships are rapidly consumed today, said, “Approaches like ‘if it doesn’t suit you, leave’ or ‘if you can’t do it, separate’ are prominent now. This is a narcissistic perspective. The understanding that ‘You are valuable, you are important, everyone must adapt to you’ isolates people.”
To be self-interested, or to be virtuous?
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that the capitalist system teaches an interest-driven moral understanding, stating, “The capitalist system says ‘being self-interested is profitable.’ However, educational approaches that prioritize internal motivation say ‘being virtuous is profitable.’ Because a virtuous person wins in the medium and long term, while a self-interested person, even if they win in the short term, eventually loses.”
Positive discipline and reward system
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that in learning processes, reward should be the rule and punishment the exception, stating, “The brain learns permanently not through fear, but through meaning and purpose-oriented learning. Instead of yelling at or punishing children when they make mistakes, that mistake should be turned into a learning opportunity. This way, responsibility and empathy develop in the child instead of guilt.”
3 fundamental elements of internal motivation
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that competence, autonomy, and the existence of a transcendent purpose in an individual are the fundamental elements of internal motivation, adding, “Externally rewarded individuals are like sailboats going with the wind. If there’s no wind, they cannot move forward. Individuals with internal motivation are like steamships; they can travel with their own power. Therefore, education systems should teach internal motivation to individuals.”
How a person evaluates themselves directly affects their relationships
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the way a person evaluates themselves directly affects both personal development and social relationships, saying, “Self-confidence allows a person to see their positive aspects and highlight them, while also taking precautions against their negative aspects. However, self-admiration leads a person to see themselves as flawless. This, in turn, paves the way for a narcissistic personality structure.”
Sacrifice schema leads to compassion fatigue
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that sacrifice goes to extremes in some personality structures, stating, “People with a sacrifice schema feel obligated to do good for everyone. They think they are a good person when they do good, and a bad person when they don’t. They treat those who deserve it and those who don’t in the same way. When they encounter ingratitude in return, they are devastated and blame themselves. At this point, if the reason for the feeling of guilt is known, it turns into learning; but causeless guilt is an illness. Intense feelings of guilt and inadequacy are symptoms of depression.”
Humans are masters of self-deception
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that one of humanity’s biggest traps is mental weaknesses, stating, “Humans can do foolish things despite being very intelligent. Because humans are masters of self-deception. Quick decisions often lead to mental traps. Those with strong internal motivation, however, analyze events better and choose the right path without needing punishment.”
Physical appearance has been sanctified, society has become dopamine-addicted
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that social media excessively emphasizes physical appearance, saying, “Today, the prevailing understanding is that if you are young, beautiful, or handsome, you are valuable; if not, you are worthless. Hollywood operates like a dopamine industry. However, what is essential is a serotonin society. Happiness achieved through meaning, art, literature, poetry, and transcendent purposes is more lasting. While a dopamine society fuels consumer culture, a serotonin society prioritizes virtue and meaning.”
Freedom must be balanced with responsibility
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that freedom is misunderstood, saying, “Humans are free but not irresponsible. There is no freedom to harm others or oneself. For example, in addiction treatment, a person cannot make their own decisions because their perceptions are impaired. In such cases, mandatory treatment is applied. Freedom gains its true meaning if balanced with responsibility. We are free, but not irresponsible. We do not have the freedom to harm others just because we are free. We do not have the freedom to harm ourselves either.”
Belief in Karma and being part of a higher meaning provides security
Prof. Dr. Tarhan reminded that humans cannot tolerate uncertainty, saying, “The brain perceives uncertainty as a threat. Therefore, humans always want to make sense of the events they experience. Belief systems, culture, or attachment to a higher purpose come into play at this point. When a person feels part of a larger meaning, uncertainty decreases, and the sense of security increases. Meaning and belief act as a protective shield in the human mind. Humans make sense of the events they experience and become part of a belief. Karma also provides meaning-making. Being part of a higher meaning eliminates uncertainty for the person. They feel safe. Fears decrease.” He concluded his words.