Building Human Capability

Building on decades of research and theory, Ryan Kueter introduces a new theory of behavior that provides a more scientific and precise way to study behavior and cognitive psychology. Studying behavior as a system, according to Kueter, enables scientists to more precisely study the elements that comprise behavior to arrive at more accurate conclusions. In this book, he demonstrates how this is possible by understanding the operations of foundational abilities, like judgement, thinking,...
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Building on decades of research and theory, Ryan Kueter introduces a new theory of behavior that provides a more scientific and precise way to study behavior and cognitive psychology. Studying behavior as a system, according to Kueter, enables scientists to more precisely study the elements that comprise behavior to arrive at more accurate conclusions. In this book, he demonstrates how this is possible by understanding the operations of foundational abilities, like judgement, thinking, motivation, productivity, skills development, responsibility, cooperation, stress and anxiety, and adversity. To do that, he introduces many new theories concerning how these abilities operate, including a new theory of motivation that is universally applicable across all knowledge domains. Many of these strengthen or weaken the human condition, some influence the success or failure of human endeavors, and others cause mental health to improve or decline.In this book, Kueter demonstrates how personal development makes it possible to strengthen one's mental fitness, maintain one's mental health, be more successful in life roles, and learn to be resilient during difficult times. For example, formally learning how to strengthen abilities, like efficacy in decision-making (e.g., by learning to think better and use better judgement), not only reduces mistakes in decisions, it increases productivity, and improves the quality of work. Developing these abilities collectively, he theorizes, could reduce many of the problems that are endemic in human societies, including crime, corruption, and mass shootings. And he shows how this science can enable leaders to operate organizations more effectively, drive economic wealth, and increase life satisfaction.