The Psychology of Behavior

Interest in human behavior psychology finds resonance as early as 4th century B.C in the discussions of early Greek thinkers like Aristotle and Socrates. Despite this early interest, the discipline of psychology came formally into existence in 1879, when Wilhelm Wundt established the first laboratory exclusively for experiments of psychology.

What is it about human behavior psychology that has intrigued human beings since such ancient times? Probably it is the complex and diverse nature of human behavior. Take the case of identical twins. Although they form from the same set of genetic components, as far as behavior is concerned, even they show different reactions to the same situation. So many individuals and each is unique surely on account of physical features, but definitely much more on the basis of behavior. The behavioral differences between identical twins highlights the fact that it is not (at least not just) genetics that governs human behavior. People with similar environmental conditions display relatively similar behavior. However, even such individuals do not behave the same way all the time. Then, what are the factors that govern human behavior psychology?

Human Behavior Psychology - Just Behavior or the Mind as Well?
Despite being defined at present as a discipline that endeavors to understand mental processes and behavior, it was not until the introduction of the psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud, that the aspect of the mind was incorporated in human behavior psychology. (Psychoanalysis emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior). Such an approach can be explained with the fact that in order to be called scientific, any phenomenon requires proof. Even the most abstract quality that an object should have, so that it can be used as a proof, has to be at least observable, if not measurable. The mind that is undefined and imperceptible surely did not fit the bill. However, behavior could be observed. It was this logic that was used by behaviorists for long to divert all focus of psychology on behavior. However, today we know that the mind and behavior are intricately interwoven to form the basis of human behavior psychology.

The Paradox of Human Behavior Psychology
Human behavior is so unpredictable. Perhaps it is this quality of behavior that clouds the fact that there are set emotions that we feel on particular situations. What gives behavior its diverse quality in the way one expresses these emotions. For example, we all feel happy at success. But we differ from each other in the way we celebrate it. While some of us may jump and leap out of joy and later celebrate it by throwing a party, there are those that may acknowledge your appreciation with just a smile.

What we are talking here is about the objective and subjective dimensions of behavior. Objective dimension of behavior refers to the set emotions that every human being is tuned to feel irrespective of one's race or culture, like the joy that every individual feels on succeeding in some endeavor. The different ways in which we express this joy is the subjective dimension that makes each one of us unique. It is the subjective dimension that is attributed to the 'mind'. The human mind is complex and individualistic that makes accurate prediction of individual behavior a big gamble. However, why different individuals behavior differently in the same situation can also be due other factors like social influences, previous experiences and hormonal conditions. Despite this, even these factors cannot ensure a set pattern of behavior in human beings. The fact still remains that it is the mind that decides the individuality of each person as far as human behavior psychology is concerned and how does it do that needs to be understood.

Understanding Human Behavior Psychology
Here are some of the major players in human behavior psychology:

Drives and Motives: It began with the theory of instincts. Instincts are defined as the innate biological forces like fear, aggression, curiosity and reproduction that decides human behavior. According to Mcdoughall a British psychologist, behavior is result of instincts that are fixed from birth but can be changed as per learning and experience. However, the theory of instincts was replaced by the theory of drives in the 1920s for better explanation of human behavior psychology. This put forth the explanation that it is natural need from which arises a driving force that is accountable for human behavior. However, it was soon realized that other than inner driving forces, there were external factors that played an equally important role in setting the direction of human behavior. One example is the hunger that one feels when on seeing a pastry even after he has had his dinner. This drive does not originate from an internal need, but from an external impetus.

Social influences: Society conditions our behavior by the process of socialization in which an individual picks up attitudes and norms of the society by being exposed to them. As one grows each individual knows the role that he has to play and he accepts the stereotypes of the society. Societal influence explains the differences in the human behavior across various cultures.

Genetics: Behavioral genetics is the branch of science that tries to find the role of genetics behind human behavior psychology. The pioneer in this field was sir Francis Galton of England who carried out a study on the heredity of genius in families. According to him genius runs in the family. A lot of research has gone in to understanding genetic basis of human behavior psychology after sir Galton. These studies indicate that complex behaviors related to personality, cognitive abilities and psychopathology are influenced by human genetics to some extent. However, now it is most widely accepted that genetics alone cannot explain human behavior. Most psychologists today believe that behavior is the result of complex interplay between genetics and behavior.

Hormones: These are chemicals released by the body that control various metabolic processes in the body. They are known to affect the development of cognitive capabilities and also the nervous system. Our cognitive abilities and development of nervous system, both play an important role in how an individual perceives a particular situation and reacts to it. Hormones being secreted in excess or deficient amounts are known to cause behavioral and personality disorders. Also hyperactivity of thyroid gland is known to cause anxiety in individuals that makes them react to the same situation in a different way than that a normal person would.

Human behavior psychology is a vast domain. The factors discussed so far are a few of those that have a major role to play in the psychology of human behavior. Other factors that influence human behavior are cognitive abilities, emotions, personality and behavioral disorders that makes each individual different form another. More research is required to be made in understanding human behavior psychology that is just as perplexing as it seems limitless.