Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to the education approach of totalitarian systems, stated that authoritarian, fear based, and pressure oriented educational cultures tend to produce passive aggressive individuals. He noted that people often say “yes” but do not act accordingly. For this reason, such societies contain many intelligent yet lazy individuals, as they are raised dependent on external motivation. Innovative and entrepreneurial individuals therefore emerge less frequently.
Emphasizing that freedom is often misunderstood, Prof. Tarhan stated that while human beings are free, they are not irresponsible. He underlined that no one has the freedom to harm others or themselves, adding that freedom gains its true meaning only when balanced with responsibility.
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan evaluated the psychology of reward and punishment on the EKOTÜRK television program Akla Ziyan with Nevzat Tarhan.
The human brain responds according to its education
Prof. Tarhan explained that the human brain responds differently to reward and punishment compared to the animal brain and emphasized that modern education should prioritize intrinsic motivation.
He noted that the animal brain reacts more quickly to punishment, whereas the human brain modifies its responses based on education. Individuals raised with excessive punishment tend to respond earlier to punishment and later to reward. Humans can reinterpret and change these responses, unlike animals, whose punishment response is faster. He added that the brain reacts to negative stimuli six times faster and more strongly than to positive stimuli.
Referring to EEG studies, Prof. Tarhan stated that the brain responds to negative stimuli within 50 milliseconds, while positive stimuli require approximately 300 milliseconds. This shows that the human brain perceives negative information about six times faster than positive information.
Serotonin rewards the process and adds meaning
Pointing out that modern neuroscience prefers the term “reward and avoidance pathways” instead of “reward and punishment,” Prof. Tarhan explained that while external rewards may work for animals, relying solely on the dopamine system in humans leads to artificial behavior. He emphasized that modern approaches encourage activating not only the dopamine system but also the serotonin system, as serotonin rewards the process and adds meaning to actions.
Reward the process to develop intrinsic motivation
Prof. Tarhan highlighted that character development and responsibility awareness grow through process oriented education rather than external rewards. He explained that individuals who are constantly rewarded externally fail to develop intrinsic motivation and tend to work only when supervised. True autonomy develops when a person can act correctly even when alone.
Learned behaviors become personality traits
Stating that only one third of personality is genetic and the remainder is shaped by learned behaviors, Prof. Tarhan explained that behaviors learned in childhood become habits through repetition and eventually form personality traits. Repetition for six weeks creates habits, while repetition for six months shapes personality. Epigenetic mechanisms allow the brain to suppress incorrect impulses and automate correct behaviors.
Pressure cultures foster intelligent but lazy individuals
Reiterating his critique of totalitarian education systems, Prof. Tarhan stated that fear based education produces passive aggressive behavior. In such societies, individuals depend on external motivation, resulting in a lack of innovation and entrepreneurship. In contrast, secure societies provide learning opportunities instead of punishment, fostering autonomy, risk taking, and innovation. Trust, he added, is the foundation of intrinsic motivation.
Loneliness as the greatest problem of the modern age
Prof. Tarhan described loneliness as the greatest problem of the modern age, driven by inflated egos and interest based lifestyles. He stressed that people should learn to focus on integrity rather than self interest.
Secure attachment and meaningful relationships
Emphasizing the importance of secure attachment, Prof. Tarhan stated that deep and meaningful relationships with close family members create a sense of security. While social relationships can also provide safety, they are often more limited in meaning. He added that individuals should not confine themselves solely to work life and should maintain hobbies or activities pursued purely for enjoyment.
Narcissistic perspectives increase isolation
Addressing the rapid consumption of relationships today, Prof. Tarhan criticized attitudes such as “leave if it does not suit you” or “quit if you cannot manage,” describing them as narcissistic perspectives that ultimately lead to isolation.
Self interest or virtue
Comparing capitalist and virtue based ethical systems, Prof. Tarhan stated that while capitalism promotes self-interest as profitable, education systems based on intrinsic motivation emphasize that virtue is profitable in the long term. He noted that while self-interest may bring short term gains, it often results in long term losses.
Positive discipline and reward systems
Concluding his remarks, Prof. Tarhan emphasized that learning should be reward centered, with punishment used only as an exception. He stated that the brain learns more effectively through meaning and purpose rather than fear. Transforming mistakes into learning opportunities fosters responsibility and empathy rather than guilt.
Three core components of intrinsic motivation
Prof. Tarhan stated that competence, autonomy, and the presence of a purpose beyond the self are the fundamental components of intrinsic motivation. He explained that individuals who are driven by external rewards are like sailboats moving only with the wind. When there is no wind, they cannot move forward. In contrast, intrinsically motivated individuals are like steamships that can move forward using their own power. For this reason, he emphasized that education systems must teach individuals how to develop intrinsic motivation.
How self evaluation shapes relationships
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan noted that the way individuals evaluate themselves directly affects both personal development and social relationships. He explained that self-confidence allows a person to recognize their strengths while also taking precautions against their weaknesses. However, self-admiration leads individuals to see themselves as flawless, which creates a foundation for narcissistic personality traits.
The self-sacrifice schema leads to compassion fatigue
Prof. Tarhan pointed out that in some personality structures, self-sacrifice becomes excessive. He explained that individuals with a self-sacrifice schema feel obligated to help everyone. They perceive themselves as good people only when they help and as bad people when they do not. They treat those who deserve help and those who do not in the same way. When they encounter ingratitude, they collapse emotionally and blame themselves. He emphasized that guilt turns into learning only when its cause is known, whereas unjustified guilt is pathological. Intense feelings of guilt and inadequacy are symptoms of depression.
Human beings are masters of self deception
Emphasizing that one of the greatest traps for human beings lies in mental weaknesses, Prof. Tarhan stated that although humans are highly intelligent, they can still make foolish decisions because they are masters of self-deception. He noted that rapid decisions often lead to cognitive traps, whereas individuals with strong intrinsic motivation analyze situations more effectively and choose the right course of action without the need for punishment.
Physical appearance is glorified and society becomes dopamine dependent
Prof. Tarhan criticized social media for placing excessive emphasis on physical appearance. He stated that a mindset now prevails in which being young, beautiful, or handsome determines one’s value, while those who do not meet these standards are considered worthless. He described Hollywood as operating like a dopamine industry. In contrast, he emphasized the importance of a serotonin-based society, where lasting happiness comes from meaning, art, literature, poetry, and purposes that transcend the self. While a dopamine driven society fuels consumerism, a serotonin driven society highlights virtue and meaning.
Freedom must be balanced with responsibility
Stating that freedom is often misunderstood, Prof. Tarhan emphasized that while human beings are free, they are not irresponsible. He underlined that no one has the freedom to harm others or themselves. As an example, he explained that individuals undergoing addiction treatment may be unable to make sound decisions due to distorted perceptions, which is why compulsory treatment is sometimes applied. He concluded that freedom gains its true meaning only when balanced with responsibility.
Belief systems and belonging to a higher meaning provide security
Reminding that human beings cannot tolerate uncertainty, Prof. Tarhan explained that the brain perceives uncertainty as a threat. For this reason, individuals seek to make sense of the events they experience. Belief systems, culture, or commitment to a higher purpose play a crucial role at this point. When individuals perceive themselves as part of a greater meaning, uncertainty diminishes and a sense of security increases. He stated that meaning and belief function as a protective shield for the human mind. By interpreting life events and becoming part of a belief system, including concepts such as karma, individuals reduce uncertainty, feel safer, and experience a decrease in fear.