■ Human nature. It makes a great deal of difference whether one views people in general as good or evil. If we assume that people are basically good, we can believe that misbehavior is a reactive response rather than a manifestation of character.

This positive view of people will lead to a search for causes in experience rather than in nature. If, on the other hand, we assume that people are inherently bad, then we are prone to assume that misbehavior is caused by something within the person that cannot be altered directly. Accordingly, our attention will focus on limiting freedom to choose and act through external restrictions and controls.