Human functioning can be described as follows: Human functioning relates to the behavioural patterns of any individual in the different roles and systems that the individual forms part of within his/her environment.
The individual reacts with congruence among the four dimensions of his inner world to situations in his environment. The individual experiences him/herself and his/her world on two distinct levels that relate to achievement, satisfaction and expectation on the one hand and to frustration, stress and helplessness on the other hand.
Optimal human functioning assumes that the positive forces will be stronger than the regressive forces. The human functioning of the individual always takes place in a specific time frame that is integrated with the development phase in which the individual is functioning (Faul 1995:159).
Schematic Presentation of the Psycho-Social Anthropology (PSA)
In the sections that follow, the following schematic of the PSA will be discussed in detail:
This schematic will be discussed in three sections, namely: 1. The outer world of the human being
Man as developmental being
The physical, ethical and time space of man
The systems and roles in which the individual functions
2. Man as entity within relationships
Man in relation to his fellow man
Man in relation to nature
Man as free, responsible and dynamic being
3. The inner world of the human being
The dimensions of man
The role of attitudes, values and self perception on human functioning
