Who created the "People are mainly good theory"?

Question

A few years ago I took a sociology course where I learned about a controversial theory that I for the life of me cannot completely remember. The theory was basically saying that people were mainly good. I am hoping someone out there can give me the name of this theory or the name of the man who created this theory. There was another man who stated the opposite and believed that man was not mainly good and has bad intentions. If you know any more about this theory please help me out. Thanks in advance for any/all help!

Answer 1

It's called Humanism or Humanistic Psychology. You are probably thinking of Carl Rogers who is one of the founding fathers.

Answer 2

This theory was probably promulgated by someone who never traveled extensively in East Los Angeles or South Chicago or Kabul and probably lived in a time when most people were basically good. If you are surrounded by people who are not, be good yourself and hope you can change just one, and maybe they can do the same. Lead by example.

Answer 3

Among the other theorists suggested, there is also Douglas McGregor who developed a theory back in the 1960s regarding human motivation and he called the two different attitudes about motivation Theory X, and Theory Y.

In McGregor's Theory X, people are inherently laxy and avoid work and need to be closely supervised and monitored and must be regulated with comprehensive systems of "control."

Conversely, Theory Y posits that people may be self-motivated, and exercise self-control and self-direction and need not be overshadowed with mandates and controls ... and by allowing people freedom to be empowered and autonomous, there is a greater chance for creativity and productivity.

McGregor's theories were influenced by Abraham Maslow's theory called the Hierarchy of Needs.

Answer 4

Carl Ransom Rogers, (person centred, humanistic and phenomenological theory). His theory is based directly on the "phenomenal field" personality theory of Combs and Snygg; Rogers' elaboration of his own theory is extensive. Rogers suggested something similar though I think his suggestion of people were mainly good is used as a bit of a cop out, as  I believe people are who they are, good & bad is a label, Rogers talked about self actualising.. to be the best they can, to lead full lives, I feel that to do this one would just do & be who they are;

Because intentions are closely related to fairness, and certainly affect the degree of honesty/dishonesty, there is a widespread confusion about honesty. There is also a general belief that one is necessarily aware that dishonest behavior is dishonest. But it's at the moment when one willfully disregards information in order to benefit (such as to protect their beliefs about what dishonesty is) that one shows whether they are interested in the truth or whether they have a lack of respect for the truth, which is dishonesty, regardless of whether they mislabel it stubbornness or conviction. Socrates had much to say about truth, honesty and morality, and explained that if people really understood that their behavior was wrong — then they simply would not choose it. Furthermore, the more dishonest someone is, the less likely they are to understand honesty and to characterize their behavior as wrong. Unfortunately,the meaning of honesty has been marginalized to specific lists of behaviors that more often than not --change over time like fashion. The understanding that honesty requires an unbiased approach to the truth and to evidence gathering at all times (a timeless approach) collides with ideologies of all types. This would explain why honesty, although often discussed -- has failed to become a cultural norm. Ideologies and idealism inherently exaggerate and suppress evidence in order to support their perspectives. They essentially state that their way is the only right way to view the world. This erodes the practice and understanding of honesty and creates ongoing conflicts in all human relationships.

Answer 5

I'm not sure who said it but I believe it was "People are inherently good"

not mainly. As in, goodness can never be removed from man's general makeup.

EDIT:

I checked around the internet and it seems that it is just a general idea, no one seems to know who presented it first.