Psychology
Content
Human Behavior Psychology
By Rahul Nair on June 12, 2010 Human behavior psychology is one of the theories of learning based upon the central idea that all human behaviors are attained through conditioning. This is also known as behaviorism. Conditioning happens through the interaction of human beings with the environment. According to human behavior psychology, human behavior can be studied in a systematic, methodical, recognizable and observable manner with no deliberation of internal mental states. The two major types of conditioning are: Classical conditioning: A common method applied in behavioral training in which a response is paired with a naturally occurring stimulus. Further, a previously neutral stimulus is paired with the naturally occurring stimulus. Eventually, the previously occurring neutral stimulus comes to suggest the response in the absence of the naturally occurring stimulus. The two elements are then known as the conditioned response and the conditioned stimulus. Operant conditioning: This is another frequent method of learning that takes place through punishments and rewards for human behavior. During operant conditioning, an association is made between a human behavior and immediately a consequence for that behavior. This is also identified as instrumental conditioning. Major Thinkers in Human behavior psychology-
John B. Watson is frequently referred to as the "father of behaviorism." Clark L. Hull sought to explain learning and motivation by scientific laws of behavior. Edward L. Thorndike worked on animal behavior and the learning process for a major part of his life. Ivan Pavlov was primarily interested in physiology, but his discovery of conditional reflexes heavily influenced the behaviorist movement. B. F. Skinner's research on operant conditioning made him one of the leaders of behaviorism.
Strengths of human behavior psychology/Behaviorism
Human behavior psychology is based upon observable and noticeable behaviors, thus easier to quantify, collect empirical data and information while conducting research. Behavioral intervention, token economies, and discrete trial training are some of the effective remedial techniques which are all rooted intensively in human behavior psychology, also commonly known as behaviorism. These techniques are very helpful in changing maladaptive, detrimental or harmful behaviors in both children and adults.
Criticisms of human behavior psychology/behaviorism
Many detractors point out that human behavior psychology or behaviorism is an exclusively one-dimensional approach to human behavior and thus such human behavioral theories do not account for free will and internal influences such as moods, thoughts, feelings, etc. Behaviorism or human behavior psychology does not account for further types of learning, in particular learning that occurs lacking the use of reinforcements. Also individuals are able to adapt their human behavior when new information is brought in, even if a previous behavior pattern has been established over a period of time through reinforcement.
Understanding the Human Mind and Behavior: Psychological and Related Perspectives
(THE SINGAPORE MAGAZINE OF RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION)
by George D BISHOP Why do people think and act the way they do? We provide a glimpse of some interesting observations and possible explanations from psychological and related perspectives. Our understanding of the human mind and behavior requires multiple approaches and involves a variety of academic disciplines. The articles in this cover story come mainly from psychology and associated disciplines with approaches ranging from the biological and genetic to the social and cultural. Each has something to offer our understanding, and none in itself is complete. Rather, we get the best understanding of mind and behavior by looking at different approaches together. The contents in this section give a brief glimpse of psychologically oriented studies contributing to our understanding of the human mind and behavior. The exploration begins with the evolution of mind. Although we are often aware of how thinking and behavior develop from childhood through adulthood and into old age, we seldom think of evolutionary forces' influence on mind and behavior. John Elliott's article introduces us to evolutionary psychology and some insights that can be gleaned from examining how behavior and thought have evolved with mankind. Evolutionary psychology focuses on genetic relatedness and its relationship to behavior but generally does not examine individual genes. However, with rapid progress in the field of genetics, we are now able to examine the role of specific genes as they influence personality and psychological processes. Redford William's discussion of current work investigating gene-environment interaction provides a good background for the manner in which specific genes interact with aspects of environment to influence personality, emotion, and health risk, with a specific focus on genes involved with serotonin. Scientists know that this neurotransmitter plays an important role in mood regulation and in such psychological problems as depression. Genes do not operate in isolation, but their effects vary in different environments. One aspect of our environment that plays an important role is what we eat. We've known for a long time that our diet plays an important role in such diseases as cancer and heart disease. However the work of Joseph James provides evidence coming from the intersection of nutrition with neuroscience that points to the potential importance of specific fruits and vegetables in our diet for maintaining healthy brain function as we age. Steven Graham continues exploration of the biology of mind and behavior with the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques to observe how the brain orchestrates the various mental processes involved in the ability to formulate goals and strategies. Such studies tell us about what happens in the brain during various kinds of mental processes, and they can, among other things, help us understand such puzzling phenomena as the mental changes associated with schizophrenia, a debilitating mental disorder. (See also the articles in this issue on brain function for further elaboration of this approach.) Although mental processes hold our interest in their own right, current research in the area of health psychology is discovering ways in which mental processes influence not just mental health but physical health as well. The article on emotions and health focuses on how emotions can affect health via physiological responses to various environmental events. Such negative emotions as fear and anger can damage health whereas positive emotions such as optimism have protective effects. A recent Singapore workshop showed the importance of these relationships: teaching people skills for dealing with upsetting situations and building stronger relationships with others can help reduce negative emotions, increase positive emotions, and decrease physiological responses to stress -- effects that can lead to improvement in physical health.
Language plays a central role in human experience, and recognizing language processes is critical to understanding mind and behavior. A great deal of research has been done on understanding the workings of language and how we learn such important skills as reading and spelling. Winston Goh's article describes some current work being done in the perception and understanding of speech, examining the different attributes of words that contribute to the understanding. Susan Rickard Liow then looks at how language use in the home influences literary development in children, pointing out some of the challenges faced by different groups of children in acquiring reading and spelling skills. Finally, social attitudes and perceptions shape mental processes and behavior. How people think about things plays a critical role in their approach to problems and their overall well-being. In his article on innovation, Robert Sternberg points out that creativity is, in large part, a decision that people make. He studies the thinking processes that distinguish creative people and highlights attitudes that help spark creativity and stimulate innovation. Along similar lines, David Myers explores the question of what makes for happiness. It is interesting that having money seems to play a relatively minor role. Rather, finding meaning in our lives and work and the development of strong interpersonal relationships foster happiness, our individual traits and genetic makeup notwithstanding. In the final article Kalyani Mehta notes the aspects in which the elderly perceive independence and disability, the ways these perceptions differ by culture, and the implications for improving their lives. This section is by no means comprehensive in addressing every issue involved in understanding the human mind and behavior, but it does seek to highlight the importance of taking into account multiple perspectives for getting a better appreciation of why humans think and behave the way they do.
Source: http://www.innovationmagazine.com/innovation/volumes/v5n3/coverstory1.shtml
PSYCHOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR Copyright 1958 by the McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. PSYCHOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR Interest in psychology has been increasing steadily in recent years. Psychologists are now found in the armed services, in government agencies, in mental hospitals, and in business and industry, and they are becoming more and more numerous. Articles are written by and about psychologists in the leading magazines of our country, and psychological themes underlie the plots of a great many books. This development is not at all surprising, for all of us are concerned with human behavior, and this is the principal area of investigation for psychology. All of us have to adjust to the presence and the reactions of other people, and frequently our most important need is to understand them, to know what their intentions or motives are, and to anticipate and even control their responses. Under these circumstances we should expect a great deal of interest in psychology. INTEREST IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR Early in life we learn how important it is to each of us to get along satisfactorily with other people. We find that what others do to us and for us and how they feel about us make a great deal of difference. Our means of earning a livelihood and often our very existence depend on other people. Thus winning their approval or at least avoiding their great displeasure becomes a very important matter to each of us. Besides, we all need companionship. Friendship and family life, by their very nature, depend on other people. Some of our greatest satisfactions come from cooperating with others in projects in which we are all interested, and some of our greatest disappointments stem from failure in such projects. This matter takes on even greater importance if we happen to have responsibilities for leadership. Suppose we are officers in a club or some other group. If we take our responsibilities seriously, we are faced with the question of how to get people to work together to achieve a common purpose. How can we get the group to realize and adopt as their own the goals which they should set for themselves? How can we motivate the group and the individual members of the group to work enthusiastically for these goals? What can we do to interest Bill? Will the same approach work for Joe and Mary, or shall we need two or even three different methods here? How far can we afford to go in turning leadership over to the group itself rather than keeping the decision making entirely in our own hands? Needless to say, our answers to such questions as these will go a long way toward determining whether our group is successful or unsuccessful. The leader of a business enterprise faces the same problems, and he plays for high stakes as he strives for cooperation among people. Indeed, the success of the business as a whole depends to a large extent on the skill with which the leaders at the various levels in the organization are able to bring this about. The truth is that leaders in every aspect of our society industry, government, the church, the school, and the multitude of small voluntary endeavors must deal with
such problems. Especially in a democracy like ours, where there are millions of "grassroots" leaders, such questions are of the greatest importance. In a dictatorship, the people would be forced to accept the judgment of a single individual and his assistants, but in a democracy, the people ultimately decide. To a large extent, the future of a democracy depends on the skill of the people in selecting their leaders and on the ability of the leaders to accomplish objectives through willing cooperation rather than through threat or force. Thus, it becomes essential that we concern ourselves with and try to understand what makes people "tick." We are interested in understanding other people, however, even when we do not have the responsibilities of leadership. For example, we need to understand the behavior of our friends. Sometimes their actions are unexpected and unusual sometimes even heroic. What makes a person act as he does, whether he is a hero, a coward, or just an ordinary fellow? In addition to the behavior of others, we need and want to understand, and even to influence, our own behavior. From time to time, all of us behave unexpectedly and even harmfully. We may waste time, to the disappointment of our friends and ourselves. We may work too hard and injure our all-round development or even our health. We may even develop the symptoms of emotional disturbance or mental illness. Of course, we may also behave admirably. We may work hard and achieve some worthwhile goal, or we may spend time and energy in helping a good cause. UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR At times we may be truly outstanding in what we do and receive the praise of others and what is often just as desirable of ourselves. One of our problems is understanding why we behave as we do. Thus, it is easy to understand why interest in psychology has been increasing. We have to know about people, and we hope psychologists can help us to understand them better.
WHAT PSYCHOLOGY IS Let us look more closely at psychology and what it can contribute to understanding human behavior. What is psychology, and how does it go about accomplishing its objectives? Human Behavior as the Chief Concern of Psychology. As we have already indicated, psychology is chiefly concerned with what makes people behave. Thus, psychologists are interested in such topics as learning, emotion, intelligence, heredity and environment, differences between individuals, the nature and development of personality, how we influence groups and they influence us, and the body as it relates to and affects human behavior. Each of these topics, it will be noticed, relates to how and why people behave as they do. Now it should be noted that the term "behavior," as we employ it in this book, is very broad. It includes what we^ think as well as what we do. It includes our feelings as well as our thoughts. It includes our "mental" responses as well as our "physical ones. It includes the normal reactions in which we all engage, but it also includes our unusual, odd, or abnormal behavior. The point should be made, however, that human behavior is not the only concern of psychology. Psychologists are also concerned with the behavior of lower animals, as will be seen later on in the discussion of various topics. When psychologists study the behavior of chimpanzees or white rats or other lower animals, this study is under-
taken in large part for the light that it throws upon human behavior. From studies of lower animals, for example, we develop theories about the nature of learning that may be useful in understanding human beings. We also, incidentally, learn a good deal about the lower animals, and to some who are curious about nature that is satisfying in itself.
Understanding Behavior from my perception
Submitted by mydearangel22 on August 24, 2008 Every human being has a flaw that they would have to deal with in each and every way. Realizing what it is could be an entirely different story. We as humans have a tendency of not wanting to know what we did wrong, because we are too stubborn to realize that we are capable of doing something wrong. We hate it when people rub issues to make their point. We don't and will never acknowledge that there is any truth in what we hear and what others say about us. Each of us has something imperfect within ourselves; we don't consider it as an imperfection though until someone makes us see it. For others it could be a simple flaw in grammar, others could be an attitude that prohibits them from interacting with others because other people will not appreciate what they are. Some of us just have this thing within us that really makes them annoying in every possible way. Human character and behavior is not too easy to understand, and sometimes it really does drive you to insanity. Understanding everyone is just like counting the exact number of stars in the sky or making sure that you know the exact mixture of a crabby Pattie. We are just like Plankton wondering how to go about finding that hidden ingredient and in the end we realize that we may be the missing recipe. A lot of personality tests could be taken to see how we are alike in certain aspects and how we can be different in more ways than one. Yet, as a human response, these tests are taken so deeply that we would often choose who we want towork with based on how we think the test would impact our working relationship with others. We fail to acknowledge that these tests are conducted by machines and could never measure how willing we are to go far just to be able to respond appropriately to the need of a person or a team. We are all intelligent, we just use it differently. We are all leaders we just have different ways of showing it. We are all good people; it just takes someone to appreciate what we do. Human logic prevents us to see all these things, because it is our nature to judge. What good would it be if we are all friends and have no one to talk about right? Yet we fail to also see that just because we talk about someone it does not mean these are all bad things. When we dislike people, we look at what they failed to do for us; we look at what they cannot do in the times that they are needed. We fail to see what they have done for us when we have least expected them to do something. I am in no position to discuss anything about the human behavior; I am no psychologist to basically be able to read what others think. These observations are just based on what I see every day. What better teacher could there be other than experience right? In a diverse community and place where we stay in, we see a lot of different characters and behaviors. We see a mixture of sorts that would allow us to study human behavior in a perfect manner that they will not see. We tend to be friends with others and for some we develop hatred that goes beyond our imagination, yet the funny thing is sometimes, we don't even know why. Some characters could be like that. It just makes you undesirable. A few weeks back, I took an assessment together with our team at work. It was called DISC; it measures Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance/ Consciousness. Although at some point I would say the test holds true to my behavior but it does not mean it is perfectly accurate. My Dominance is way above 50, in fact my numbers could be the highest in the group, and I have the lowest for the last two sections for the S and the C. It bothers me at first because it makes me think how aggressive I would want to be in certain aspects, wondering if it is such a bad thing. Our human mind would often interpret these details as negative because the word dominance does not entirely mean anything positive, unless we perceive it in a different way. The human mind will stick to the more supreme definition such as someone who wants to take power, control and thinks of himself as someone who is supreme. It is with these definitions that we fail to acknowledge what the other definitions are. Certainly these assessments have a slight accuracy when it comes to interpreting the human behavior, but one thing we fail to acknowledge is it can change through time. This is because we mature, we learn, we
grow and we become wiser. It is and will never be wise to dwell on such readings. It is just similar to believing in your horoscope every day when we know that we create our own destiny. Apart from these characters and behaviors we have a will to think about. What we feel may not be too right because we think more. As a book said before, our hearts could be stronger than our will but nonetheless we never stop thinking. We assess every time we are in a situation and that makes us superior beings. We may not feel good about what we do but we do it anyway because there are already other factors affecting our behavior and our decisions. Morality is one of the greatest factors. It is our impact on community and religion. What does God have to say if you do something? What would your teacher say when she finds out how mean you are becoming lately? What would your mother say when she finds out what you have been saying and doing to this person? How would the entire population who knows you would feel if they find out what you say and did that would seem right to you but wrong in their eyes? These are huge factors affecting how we should act towards others. Unless you are insensitive and could not care any less but what others say and think. At the end of the day, you know too well that you will lie in bed wondering what you could have done better. Another is professionalism; the environment we now belong in is no playground. We have to establish ourselves to have a better career and path to a better development. Our personal character can simply not be a hindrance on how we should be when it comes to dealing with others. If we wish to achieve and become better at what we do, we need to learn how to be civil and how to be morally and professionally right. Ethics is another factor that should be affecting human behavior. Realizing how ethical our actions are and how it should merit in our daily life and our career standing. Despite all these negative aspects of our characters we need to acknowledge that one way or another we have a way of making others happy. Every individual may seem bad or evil, but one way or the other they have created and have done something good. We may not have innate leadership skills, or any other talent for that matter but we need to realize that these things can be learned. It may blossom out of a situation or instance when we have to exhibit something that would require us to save and stand for others. We come from different places, different experiences that needs to be shared, one way or another the hardest among human behaviors is the ability to understand that just because a solution to a particular scenario works for you but may not for me. This is because there are already other factors affecting a specific situation that makes it entirely different from what has been experienced. We need to let go, yes the learning and unlearning process is truly applicable in every situation. Yet we need to realize that the human behavior is not adaptable to change. We dwell on the past; we hang on to what we had, without realizing what we have at the moment. This is the most negative among all our behaviors and characters, because of this we fail to appreciate what we already hold in our hands. We are always in the wanting to be what we used to be but in the current situation. But we can't, and we are not. We tend to be ahead of the others but we fail to acknowledge if we are in the right footing. We fail to take into consideration that we are still working with a group of people that we may and may not like. Yet we have ourselves accountable for their knowledge and understanding. True that we don't really have to make them understand something if we are not the ones who will suffer from their ignorance about a particular matter but as a human being and a leader we need to realize that we are responsible for the welfare and belief of the people who are working with us. Our responsibilities don't end to where other people's task starts; in fact it is a long chain and series of events that we need to somehow be in total control of. Just because it is not ours to do, it does not mean that we should not help and be accountable for. However it is not an excuse for others not to do the tasks assigned because we know someone is going to do it for us. These behaviors affect our daily life. Sometimes it becomes so hard to understand it and we get too weary that we just want out of that current situation. These factors are evidently affecting us not just mentally and physically but more on emotional aspects. This is because human behavior is more of matters affecting the heart. We feel too much, we make sure that our intuitions are put ahead before we even start thinking. We fail to see that our intuitions could not always be right; we need to balance our head and hearts when it comes to decision making. Understanding the human behavior is tough, it can wear you out in more ways
than one. Yet as an impulsive action we push ourselves too hard to understand others and become highly likable by other people, but in the end we see that what we do would never be good enough to gain other people's approval. That is an instinct; others would never allow other people to be better than them. So you will never be able to please everyone. You can die trying but will never see how you succeeded because we know we can't. I have tried understanding others; it is blowing me out of my wits. Now, it is all becoming clear. We all have different beliefs and ways in life. We have different minds that may or may not allow us to understand everyone we interact with everyday. Yet, if we try to see what each of us can do in a very unfortunate situation we will earn to appreciate the other things in our life. We will learn to appreciate what the people around us can do. It just takes a little push and a little luck to make us see that we are all here for a reason. The reasons may not be similar, the characters may not fit. We may not always agree but still that's what we are. We are born to agree and disagree. If we can't handle a fact then there is something wrong with us. We are not really meant to be where we are if we fail to acknowledge that we are not always perfectly right about something. If we fail to see that other people could be better than us and yet we know that we have been through a lot or because we are older and we feel that we are wiser, then we are the ones who need to give in. Age and experience may be ripened but it does not mean that these are the only things that make you better than the others. Innate behaviors, moral maturity and professionalism may have been developed in other people in much better way than any experience and age combined. With this being said, we should respect our diversity. We should not put the fate of our relationship with other people in clear understanding or intuition. We should not rely on tests to interpret how we should be dealing with others to efficiently and productively work with them. Rather we could use it as a stepping stone to understand how we should deal with them to be able to develop a harmonious relationship. A diverse setting and culture could really help each of us grow professionally because we learn to deal with every possible behavior that we have. However the most perfect growth that we would have is maturity and ability to deal with such differences. We learn and change through time. We don't and will never intend to stay in a way we have always been. It is either we become better or we become worse. The most important thing is having people believe in what we can do to be able to change and adapt to what we have and what we are given. Life is easy; you just don't have to understand everything there is. The wonders of the universe are really not being able to get what everything is there for. Yet be thankful that it really existed and you get something out of every situation. There are only three things you need to remember, one- stand up for yourself and for anyone else if you have to. "Every man for himself "does not work because of a contradicting thought of no man is an island. Two- speak when you have to, most especially when it greatly affects you and how you perform your tasks. Three- is accountability in everything you do and for the things that people around you does because it would still reflect on you no matter what. The human behavior is something we can never get away from; we have no means of getting away from it. We live with it and we deal with it in every possible way. It surrounds us and all we have to do is just to make sure that we have a clear thought in dealing with every situation. Everything we do simply reflects on us. Everything we are is made of what we have around us. Life has its ways; we just need to deal with it.
By Rahul Nair on June 12, 2010 Human behavior psychology is one of the theories of learning based upon the central idea that all human behaviors are attained through conditioning. This is also known as behaviorism. Conditioning happens through the interaction of human beings with the environment. According to human behavior psychology, human behavior can be studied in a systematic, methodical, recognizable and observable manner with no deliberation of internal mental states. The two major types of conditioning are: Classical conditioning: A common method applied in behavioral training in which a response is paired with a naturally occurring stimulus. Further, a previously neutral stimulus is paired with the naturally occurring stimulus. Eventually, the previously occurring neutral stimulus comes to suggest the response in the absence of the naturally occurring stimulus. The two elements are then known as the conditioned response and the conditioned stimulus. Operant conditioning: This is another frequent method of learning that takes place through punishments and rewards for human behavior. During operant conditioning, an association is made between a human behavior and immediately a consequence for that behavior. This is also identified as instrumental conditioning. Major Thinkers in Human behavior psychology-
John B. Watson is frequently referred to as the "father of behaviorism." Clark L. Hull sought to explain learning and motivation by scientific laws of behavior. Edward L. Thorndike worked on animal behavior and the learning process for a major part of his life. Ivan Pavlov was primarily interested in physiology, but his discovery of conditional reflexes heavily influenced the behaviorist movement. B. F. Skinner's research on operant conditioning made him one of the leaders of behaviorism.
Strengths of human behavior psychology/Behaviorism
Human behavior psychology is based upon observable and noticeable behaviors, thus easier to quantify, collect empirical data and information while conducting research. Behavioral intervention, token economies, and discrete trial training are some of the effective remedial techniques which are all rooted intensively in human behavior psychology, also commonly known as behaviorism. These techniques are very helpful in changing maladaptive, detrimental or harmful behaviors in both children and adults.
Criticisms of human behavior psychology/behaviorism
Many detractors point out that human behavior psychology or behaviorism is an exclusively one-dimensional approach to human behavior and thus such human behavioral theories do not account for free will and internal influences such as moods, thoughts, feelings, etc. Behaviorism or human behavior psychology does not account for further types of learning, in particular learning that occurs lacking the use of reinforcements. Also individuals are able to adapt their human behavior when new information is brought in, even if a previous behavior pattern has been established over a period of time through reinforcement.
Understanding the Human Mind and Behavior: Psychological and Related Perspectives
(THE SINGAPORE MAGAZINE OF RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION)
by George D BISHOP Why do people think and act the way they do? We provide a glimpse of some interesting observations and possible explanations from psychological and related perspectives. Our understanding of the human mind and behavior requires multiple approaches and involves a variety of academic disciplines. The articles in this cover story come mainly from psychology and associated disciplines with approaches ranging from the biological and genetic to the social and cultural. Each has something to offer our understanding, and none in itself is complete. Rather, we get the best understanding of mind and behavior by looking at different approaches together. The contents in this section give a brief glimpse of psychologically oriented studies contributing to our understanding of the human mind and behavior. The exploration begins with the evolution of mind. Although we are often aware of how thinking and behavior develop from childhood through adulthood and into old age, we seldom think of evolutionary forces' influence on mind and behavior. John Elliott's article introduces us to evolutionary psychology and some insights that can be gleaned from examining how behavior and thought have evolved with mankind. Evolutionary psychology focuses on genetic relatedness and its relationship to behavior but generally does not examine individual genes. However, with rapid progress in the field of genetics, we are now able to examine the role of specific genes as they influence personality and psychological processes. Redford William's discussion of current work investigating gene-environment interaction provides a good background for the manner in which specific genes interact with aspects of environment to influence personality, emotion, and health risk, with a specific focus on genes involved with serotonin. Scientists know that this neurotransmitter plays an important role in mood regulation and in such psychological problems as depression. Genes do not operate in isolation, but their effects vary in different environments. One aspect of our environment that plays an important role is what we eat. We've known for a long time that our diet plays an important role in such diseases as cancer and heart disease. However the work of Joseph James provides evidence coming from the intersection of nutrition with neuroscience that points to the potential importance of specific fruits and vegetables in our diet for maintaining healthy brain function as we age. Steven Graham continues exploration of the biology of mind and behavior with the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques to observe how the brain orchestrates the various mental processes involved in the ability to formulate goals and strategies. Such studies tell us about what happens in the brain during various kinds of mental processes, and they can, among other things, help us understand such puzzling phenomena as the mental changes associated with schizophrenia, a debilitating mental disorder. (See also the articles in this issue on brain function for further elaboration of this approach.) Although mental processes hold our interest in their own right, current research in the area of health psychology is discovering ways in which mental processes influence not just mental health but physical health as well. The article on emotions and health focuses on how emotions can affect health via physiological responses to various environmental events. Such negative emotions as fear and anger can damage health whereas positive emotions such as optimism have protective effects. A recent Singapore workshop showed the importance of these relationships: teaching people skills for dealing with upsetting situations and building stronger relationships with others can help reduce negative emotions, increase positive emotions, and decrease physiological responses to stress -- effects that can lead to improvement in physical health.
Language plays a central role in human experience, and recognizing language processes is critical to understanding mind and behavior. A great deal of research has been done on understanding the workings of language and how we learn such important skills as reading and spelling. Winston Goh's article describes some current work being done in the perception and understanding of speech, examining the different attributes of words that contribute to the understanding. Susan Rickard Liow then looks at how language use in the home influences literary development in children, pointing out some of the challenges faced by different groups of children in acquiring reading and spelling skills. Finally, social attitudes and perceptions shape mental processes and behavior. How people think about things plays a critical role in their approach to problems and their overall well-being. In his article on innovation, Robert Sternberg points out that creativity is, in large part, a decision that people make. He studies the thinking processes that distinguish creative people and highlights attitudes that help spark creativity and stimulate innovation. Along similar lines, David Myers explores the question of what makes for happiness. It is interesting that having money seems to play a relatively minor role. Rather, finding meaning in our lives and work and the development of strong interpersonal relationships foster happiness, our individual traits and genetic makeup notwithstanding. In the final article Kalyani Mehta notes the aspects in which the elderly perceive independence and disability, the ways these perceptions differ by culture, and the implications for improving their lives. This section is by no means comprehensive in addressing every issue involved in understanding the human mind and behavior, but it does seek to highlight the importance of taking into account multiple perspectives for getting a better appreciation of why humans think and behave the way they do.
Source: http://www.innovationmagazine.com/innovation/volumes/v5n3/coverstory1.shtml
PSYCHOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR Copyright 1958 by the McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. PSYCHOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR Interest in psychology has been increasing steadily in recent years. Psychologists are now found in the armed services, in government agencies, in mental hospitals, and in business and industry, and they are becoming more and more numerous. Articles are written by and about psychologists in the leading magazines of our country, and psychological themes underlie the plots of a great many books. This development is not at all surprising, for all of us are concerned with human behavior, and this is the principal area of investigation for psychology. All of us have to adjust to the presence and the reactions of other people, and frequently our most important need is to understand them, to know what their intentions or motives are, and to anticipate and even control their responses. Under these circumstances we should expect a great deal of interest in psychology. INTEREST IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR Early in life we learn how important it is to each of us to get along satisfactorily with other people. We find that what others do to us and for us and how they feel about us make a great deal of difference. Our means of earning a livelihood and often our very existence depend on other people. Thus winning their approval or at least avoiding their great displeasure becomes a very important matter to each of us. Besides, we all need companionship. Friendship and family life, by their very nature, depend on other people. Some of our greatest satisfactions come from cooperating with others in projects in which we are all interested, and some of our greatest disappointments stem from failure in such projects. This matter takes on even greater importance if we happen to have responsibilities for leadership. Suppose we are officers in a club or some other group. If we take our responsibilities seriously, we are faced with the question of how to get people to work together to achieve a common purpose. How can we get the group to realize and adopt as their own the goals which they should set for themselves? How can we motivate the group and the individual members of the group to work enthusiastically for these goals? What can we do to interest Bill? Will the same approach work for Joe and Mary, or shall we need two or even three different methods here? How far can we afford to go in turning leadership over to the group itself rather than keeping the decision making entirely in our own hands? Needless to say, our answers to such questions as these will go a long way toward determining whether our group is successful or unsuccessful. The leader of a business enterprise faces the same problems, and he plays for high stakes as he strives for cooperation among people. Indeed, the success of the business as a whole depends to a large extent on the skill with which the leaders at the various levels in the organization are able to bring this about. The truth is that leaders in every aspect of our society industry, government, the church, the school, and the multitude of small voluntary endeavors must deal with
such problems. Especially in a democracy like ours, where there are millions of "grassroots" leaders, such questions are of the greatest importance. In a dictatorship, the people would be forced to accept the judgment of a single individual and his assistants, but in a democracy, the people ultimately decide. To a large extent, the future of a democracy depends on the skill of the people in selecting their leaders and on the ability of the leaders to accomplish objectives through willing cooperation rather than through threat or force. Thus, it becomes essential that we concern ourselves with and try to understand what makes people "tick." We are interested in understanding other people, however, even when we do not have the responsibilities of leadership. For example, we need to understand the behavior of our friends. Sometimes their actions are unexpected and unusual sometimes even heroic. What makes a person act as he does, whether he is a hero, a coward, or just an ordinary fellow? In addition to the behavior of others, we need and want to understand, and even to influence, our own behavior. From time to time, all of us behave unexpectedly and even harmfully. We may waste time, to the disappointment of our friends and ourselves. We may work too hard and injure our all-round development or even our health. We may even develop the symptoms of emotional disturbance or mental illness. Of course, we may also behave admirably. We may work hard and achieve some worthwhile goal, or we may spend time and energy in helping a good cause. UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR At times we may be truly outstanding in what we do and receive the praise of others and what is often just as desirable of ourselves. One of our problems is understanding why we behave as we do. Thus, it is easy to understand why interest in psychology has been increasing. We have to know about people, and we hope psychologists can help us to understand them better.
WHAT PSYCHOLOGY IS Let us look more closely at psychology and what it can contribute to understanding human behavior. What is psychology, and how does it go about accomplishing its objectives? Human Behavior as the Chief Concern of Psychology. As we have already indicated, psychology is chiefly concerned with what makes people behave. Thus, psychologists are interested in such topics as learning, emotion, intelligence, heredity and environment, differences between individuals, the nature and development of personality, how we influence groups and they influence us, and the body as it relates to and affects human behavior. Each of these topics, it will be noticed, relates to how and why people behave as they do. Now it should be noted that the term "behavior," as we employ it in this book, is very broad. It includes what we^ think as well as what we do. It includes our feelings as well as our thoughts. It includes our "mental" responses as well as our "physical ones. It includes the normal reactions in which we all engage, but it also includes our unusual, odd, or abnormal behavior. The point should be made, however, that human behavior is not the only concern of psychology. Psychologists are also concerned with the behavior of lower animals, as will be seen later on in the discussion of various topics. When psychologists study the behavior of chimpanzees or white rats or other lower animals, this study is under-
taken in large part for the light that it throws upon human behavior. From studies of lower animals, for example, we develop theories about the nature of learning that may be useful in understanding human beings. We also, incidentally, learn a good deal about the lower animals, and to some who are curious about nature that is satisfying in itself.
Understanding Behavior from my perception
Submitted by mydearangel22 on August 24, 2008 Every human being has a flaw that they would have to deal with in each and every way. Realizing what it is could be an entirely different story. We as humans have a tendency of not wanting to know what we did wrong, because we are too stubborn to realize that we are capable of doing something wrong. We hate it when people rub issues to make their point. We don't and will never acknowledge that there is any truth in what we hear and what others say about us. Each of us has something imperfect within ourselves; we don't consider it as an imperfection though until someone makes us see it. For others it could be a simple flaw in grammar, others could be an attitude that prohibits them from interacting with others because other people will not appreciate what they are. Some of us just have this thing within us that really makes them annoying in every possible way. Human character and behavior is not too easy to understand, and sometimes it really does drive you to insanity. Understanding everyone is just like counting the exact number of stars in the sky or making sure that you know the exact mixture of a crabby Pattie. We are just like Plankton wondering how to go about finding that hidden ingredient and in the end we realize that we may be the missing recipe. A lot of personality tests could be taken to see how we are alike in certain aspects and how we can be different in more ways than one. Yet, as a human response, these tests are taken so deeply that we would often choose who we want towork with based on how we think the test would impact our working relationship with others. We fail to acknowledge that these tests are conducted by machines and could never measure how willing we are to go far just to be able to respond appropriately to the need of a person or a team. We are all intelligent, we just use it differently. We are all leaders we just have different ways of showing it. We are all good people; it just takes someone to appreciate what we do. Human logic prevents us to see all these things, because it is our nature to judge. What good would it be if we are all friends and have no one to talk about right? Yet we fail to also see that just because we talk about someone it does not mean these are all bad things. When we dislike people, we look at what they failed to do for us; we look at what they cannot do in the times that they are needed. We fail to see what they have done for us when we have least expected them to do something. I am in no position to discuss anything about the human behavior; I am no psychologist to basically be able to read what others think. These observations are just based on what I see every day. What better teacher could there be other than experience right? In a diverse community and place where we stay in, we see a lot of different characters and behaviors. We see a mixture of sorts that would allow us to study human behavior in a perfect manner that they will not see. We tend to be friends with others and for some we develop hatred that goes beyond our imagination, yet the funny thing is sometimes, we don't even know why. Some characters could be like that. It just makes you undesirable. A few weeks back, I took an assessment together with our team at work. It was called DISC; it measures Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance/ Consciousness. Although at some point I would say the test holds true to my behavior but it does not mean it is perfectly accurate. My Dominance is way above 50, in fact my numbers could be the highest in the group, and I have the lowest for the last two sections for the S and the C. It bothers me at first because it makes me think how aggressive I would want to be in certain aspects, wondering if it is such a bad thing. Our human mind would often interpret these details as negative because the word dominance does not entirely mean anything positive, unless we perceive it in a different way. The human mind will stick to the more supreme definition such as someone who wants to take power, control and thinks of himself as someone who is supreme. It is with these definitions that we fail to acknowledge what the other definitions are. Certainly these assessments have a slight accuracy when it comes to interpreting the human behavior, but one thing we fail to acknowledge is it can change through time. This is because we mature, we learn, we
grow and we become wiser. It is and will never be wise to dwell on such readings. It is just similar to believing in your horoscope every day when we know that we create our own destiny. Apart from these characters and behaviors we have a will to think about. What we feel may not be too right because we think more. As a book said before, our hearts could be stronger than our will but nonetheless we never stop thinking. We assess every time we are in a situation and that makes us superior beings. We may not feel good about what we do but we do it anyway because there are already other factors affecting our behavior and our decisions. Morality is one of the greatest factors. It is our impact on community and religion. What does God have to say if you do something? What would your teacher say when she finds out how mean you are becoming lately? What would your mother say when she finds out what you have been saying and doing to this person? How would the entire population who knows you would feel if they find out what you say and did that would seem right to you but wrong in their eyes? These are huge factors affecting how we should act towards others. Unless you are insensitive and could not care any less but what others say and think. At the end of the day, you know too well that you will lie in bed wondering what you could have done better. Another is professionalism; the environment we now belong in is no playground. We have to establish ourselves to have a better career and path to a better development. Our personal character can simply not be a hindrance on how we should be when it comes to dealing with others. If we wish to achieve and become better at what we do, we need to learn how to be civil and how to be morally and professionally right. Ethics is another factor that should be affecting human behavior. Realizing how ethical our actions are and how it should merit in our daily life and our career standing. Despite all these negative aspects of our characters we need to acknowledge that one way or another we have a way of making others happy. Every individual may seem bad or evil, but one way or the other they have created and have done something good. We may not have innate leadership skills, or any other talent for that matter but we need to realize that these things can be learned. It may blossom out of a situation or instance when we have to exhibit something that would require us to save and stand for others. We come from different places, different experiences that needs to be shared, one way or another the hardest among human behaviors is the ability to understand that just because a solution to a particular scenario works for you but may not for me. This is because there are already other factors affecting a specific situation that makes it entirely different from what has been experienced. We need to let go, yes the learning and unlearning process is truly applicable in every situation. Yet we need to realize that the human behavior is not adaptable to change. We dwell on the past; we hang on to what we had, without realizing what we have at the moment. This is the most negative among all our behaviors and characters, because of this we fail to appreciate what we already hold in our hands. We are always in the wanting to be what we used to be but in the current situation. But we can't, and we are not. We tend to be ahead of the others but we fail to acknowledge if we are in the right footing. We fail to take into consideration that we are still working with a group of people that we may and may not like. Yet we have ourselves accountable for their knowledge and understanding. True that we don't really have to make them understand something if we are not the ones who will suffer from their ignorance about a particular matter but as a human being and a leader we need to realize that we are responsible for the welfare and belief of the people who are working with us. Our responsibilities don't end to where other people's task starts; in fact it is a long chain and series of events that we need to somehow be in total control of. Just because it is not ours to do, it does not mean that we should not help and be accountable for. However it is not an excuse for others not to do the tasks assigned because we know someone is going to do it for us. These behaviors affect our daily life. Sometimes it becomes so hard to understand it and we get too weary that we just want out of that current situation. These factors are evidently affecting us not just mentally and physically but more on emotional aspects. This is because human behavior is more of matters affecting the heart. We feel too much, we make sure that our intuitions are put ahead before we even start thinking. We fail to see that our intuitions could not always be right; we need to balance our head and hearts when it comes to decision making. Understanding the human behavior is tough, it can wear you out in more ways
than one. Yet as an impulsive action we push ourselves too hard to understand others and become highly likable by other people, but in the end we see that what we do would never be good enough to gain other people's approval. That is an instinct; others would never allow other people to be better than them. So you will never be able to please everyone. You can die trying but will never see how you succeeded because we know we can't. I have tried understanding others; it is blowing me out of my wits. Now, it is all becoming clear. We all have different beliefs and ways in life. We have different minds that may or may not allow us to understand everyone we interact with everyday. Yet, if we try to see what each of us can do in a very unfortunate situation we will earn to appreciate the other things in our life. We will learn to appreciate what the people around us can do. It just takes a little push and a little luck to make us see that we are all here for a reason. The reasons may not be similar, the characters may not fit. We may not always agree but still that's what we are. We are born to agree and disagree. If we can't handle a fact then there is something wrong with us. We are not really meant to be where we are if we fail to acknowledge that we are not always perfectly right about something. If we fail to see that other people could be better than us and yet we know that we have been through a lot or because we are older and we feel that we are wiser, then we are the ones who need to give in. Age and experience may be ripened but it does not mean that these are the only things that make you better than the others. Innate behaviors, moral maturity and professionalism may have been developed in other people in much better way than any experience and age combined. With this being said, we should respect our diversity. We should not put the fate of our relationship with other people in clear understanding or intuition. We should not rely on tests to interpret how we should be dealing with others to efficiently and productively work with them. Rather we could use it as a stepping stone to understand how we should deal with them to be able to develop a harmonious relationship. A diverse setting and culture could really help each of us grow professionally because we learn to deal with every possible behavior that we have. However the most perfect growth that we would have is maturity and ability to deal with such differences. We learn and change through time. We don't and will never intend to stay in a way we have always been. It is either we become better or we become worse. The most important thing is having people believe in what we can do to be able to change and adapt to what we have and what we are given. Life is easy; you just don't have to understand everything there is. The wonders of the universe are really not being able to get what everything is there for. Yet be thankful that it really existed and you get something out of every situation. There are only three things you need to remember, one- stand up for yourself and for anyone else if you have to. "Every man for himself "does not work because of a contradicting thought of no man is an island. Two- speak when you have to, most especially when it greatly affects you and how you perform your tasks. Three- is accountability in everything you do and for the things that people around you does because it would still reflect on you no matter what. The human behavior is something we can never get away from; we have no means of getting away from it. We live with it and we deal with it in every possible way. It surrounds us and all we have to do is just to make sure that we have a clear thought in dealing with every situation. Everything we do simply reflects on us. Everything we are is made of what we have around us. Life has its ways; we just need to deal with it.
