Human behavior is such that it draws you the minute you begin to listen. Each of our actions, each small detail, each unnoticed response suggests something bigger that is going on in us. Unless you have ever been in the place of either asking yourself why people are the way they are, or why you are the way you are, you already know the amount of interest that this topic evokes.
This is the time I recall having sat at a cafe one afternoon and watching people move around me like puzzle pieces. One of the men was tapping his foot, another pair was talking in low tones, a woman was flipping through a book about the psychology of human behavior, and a toddler was negotiating with his mother to have a cookie as loudly as a small attorney. I realised at the moment that human behaviour is all around us and once you begin to notice it, you cannot stop.
This paper will guide you through the process of defining human behavior, its formation, the role that evolutionary psychology, personality, and environment play in it, and what you can do to gain a better understanding of your own behavior.
What Defines Human Behavior
Peel them away and you can see that human behavior is nothing but the sum of actions, reactions, expressions, and choices that lead to the process of people going through their lives. It is how we talk, habits that we develop, instincts that we act upon and the feelings that we express.
Scientists, psychologists, and other social researchers dissect it in varied ways but all are unanimous on one fact: human behavior is never arbitrary.
How Human Behavior Is Defined
The majority of researchers define human behavior as the observable part of the internal world of a person thoughts, feelings, experiences gaining their embodiment in the real world.
Once he or she is indecisive, in a hurry, disputes, laughs too loud, freezes in a fight, or appeals to get comfort, he/she is exposing a segment of their psychological plumbing.
These factors are what drive the behavior of human beings:
- Thoughts
- Emotions
- Learned experiences
- Social environment
- Biological instincts
All factors, in one way or another, push or pull us resulting in our ultimate actions.
What Determines Human Behavior
In case you have ever found yourself asking yourself why two children brought up in the same household might make two complete opposite people, this is the question that pops right in the middle: what actually determines human behavior?
The simplified version: it is nature and nurture.
The extended variant appears as below:
- Biology is the reason behind the automatic and emotional reactions.
- Tastes, responses, and inclinations are directed by personality traits.
- The way people are brought up shows the behaviors required.
- Coping patterns and belief systems are influenced by life.
- Short-term decisions are influenced by the environment and social influence.
You react to life depending on a combination of what was passed to you, what you taught yourself and what you think is the real truth.
Are Behaviors Genetic or Learned?
This is one of the questions that are present in nearly all psychology books. It is genuinely true that behavior is genetic and learned.
- Natural selection in human beings dictates some behaviors like fight or flight response, fear, attachment and risk avoidance.
- These other behaviours are the result of life experiences.
- Numerous behaviors begin as genetical predispositions but acquire a new form due to the influence of social learning.
It is your ancestors who give you your instincts. Your responses are based on your narrative.
The Five Assumptions of Human Behavior
The majority of leading theories of human behavior rely on five common concepts:
- Behavior has meaning.
- Behavior follows patterns.
- Different people conduct themselves differently depending on the situation.
- Learning is associated with behavioral changes.
- The environment and biology are reflected on behavior.
Such suppositions demonstrate the complexity and prediction of behavior when one is aware of what to expect.
Types of Human Behavior
When you have ever attempted to classify individuals, you are half way into behavioral psychology. Scientists have taken decades to categorize behavior into groups in order to get a better comprehension of it.
The Three Basic Types of Human Behavior
According to most of the basic models, there are three significant types:
- Passive behavior
- Aggressive behavior
- Assertive behavior
You are literally surrounded by these styles. One colleague is never outspoken, the other faces head on and the other person is able to communicate effectively without offending anyone. It’s the classic trio.
The Five Types of Human Behavior
An additional model that is commonly used classifies behavior as five categories:
- Moral behavior
- Social behavior
- Emotional behavior
- Cognitive behavior
- Habitual behavior
These are typologies that reveal the entire spectrum of interactions that people have with the world both in how they treat others to the beliefs they entertain.
The Four Major Behavioral Styles
Most of the popular frameworks used in the USA (DISC, the model created by Erikson, and others) divide behavior into four styles that are easy to identify:
- Dominant
- Influential
- Steady
- Conscientious
There are those who are fast paced and instinctive leaders. Others use charm. Some focus on harmony. Others are concerned with accuracy.
Look at the four types of human behavior explained in the color test by Thomas Erikson, the patterns are all the same: people behave differently yet there are foreseeable patterns in the differences.
Personality and Behavior
Fingerprints are made on nearly everything you do, through your personality. It will determine whether you stride into a room with a sense of assurance or with apprehension, whether you talk freely or guard your thoughts, and whether you like taking chances or feel safe.
This is where the keyword referring psychological frameworks are introduced.
The Five Personality Types
Other models define personality in five broad categories:
- Openness
- Conscientiousness
- Extraversion
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
These are not mere labels and may be an explaination as to why even two individuals may respond in entirely different ways to a particular circumstance.
The Big Five Domains of Personality
The OCEAN model digs even further (also referred to as the Big Five model). It subdivides personality into five areas:
- Openness to experience
- Conscientiousness
- Extraversion
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
These arenas affect the way we learn, love, fight, heal and communicate.
The Five Behavioral Patterns of Personality
It is natural that most people are predisposed towards one of these behavioral patterns:
- The Thinker (analytical, structured)
- The Doer (action-driven)
- The Socializer (people-first)
- The Supporter (steady and calm)
- The Explorer (curious and open)
Knowing these patterns assists in knowing the why behind the reaction of a man.
Applicability of Human Behavior in Real-Life
Essentially the most appropriate way of comprehending any concept is by referring to common life.
Basic Human Behavior Case Studies.
These are little everyday behaviors, which you are likely to encounter on a daily basis:
- Looking at your phone when it has not given a notification.
- Consoling a friend unconsciously.
- Avoiding a difficult conversation
- Eating when stressed
- Offering help to a stranger
These little details show larger trends in thinking and feeling of people.
What Is One Human Behavior?
If you need a one-line example:
Assistance to one in distress is an easy way of being human.
What Are some of the real life examples of behavior?
In the real world, behaviors manifest themselves in:
- Parenting
- Social interactions
- Work choices
- Spending habits
- Priorities and goals
Each choice that you make is an image of your inner world.
There are five problematic behaviors that people experience
Another issue people face is how to behave in a manner that hinders success:
- Procrastination
- Impulsiveness
- Avoidance
- Aggression
- Emotional shutdown
Such behaviors are alterable but normally have deeper emotional accounts behind them.
The Evolution of Human Behavior
This may sound awkward to consider that contemporary actions are the result of the ancient instincts, but evolutionary psychology exposes it in a rather obvious way.
Most of these reactions which are experienced as modern are based on survival patterns which were transmitted over thousands of years.
Life Preservation Mechanisms That We Still Have.
These are instincts the human being carries:
- Seeking safety
- Forming social groups
- Avoiding risks
- Protecting loved ones
- Reacting quickly to threats
It is the very basis that used to sustain the existence of primitive humans.
Evolutionary Aspects in Contemporary Human
Peer and you will find the rudiments of evolution in the contemporary action:
- We still fear rejection because we have to remain in a tribe.
- We are in love with sugar and fat because of the lack of resources in the primitive time.
- Our stress reaction is not made to handle emails.
- The need to be connected is a result of the necessity of finding allies to survive.
These instincts determined human evolution, and even nowadays they influence the impact of evolution on behavior.
Examples of Evolution in the real life
At work you find evolution in such things as:
- Being nervous when addressing a crowd (a new form of standing in front of a tribe).
- Interested in smart individuals (competence and survival value)
- Feeling safer in groups
- Seeing negative things sooner than positive things.
- In search of familiarity to predictability.
This is the evolutionary psychology at work.
The Interaction of Environment and Behavior
In case evolution is the foundation, the environment is the constructing of the walls, windows and the roof.
The environment you live in, family, culture, school, work, media influences to some extent or other who you are.
Influence of Family and Childhood
Childhood experiences determine basic patterns:
| Pattern | Formed By |
|---|---|
| Trust | Early relationships |
| Emotional expression | Family communication |
| Conflict style | Observed behavior |
| Self-worth | On-the-job feedback |
This is because most individuals take such patterns to adulthood without being conscious of it.
Social Influence and Behavior of Peers
Humans are social creatures. It is a fact and whether we like it or not we modify our behavior to suit the individuals surrounding us.
Peer groups shape:
| Influence | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Belonging | Adjusting behavior to fit in |
| Pressure | Adopting group habits |
| Validation | Seeking approval |
| Shared values | Copying beliefs and behaviors |
The power of social influence is that a sense of belonging is necessary to the survival.
Influence of the media and lifestyle
Our conduct is agitated at all times by the modern world:
| Influence | Behavioral Impact |
|---|---|
| Social media | Self-image and attention patterns |
| News | Stress and worldview |
| Technology | Communication styles |
| Trends | Habits and preferences |
The contemporary world influences the way of thinking, more than we think.
Why Humans Act the Way They Do
There is a story behind every characterized behavior. As one goes deep enough, you will tend to hit one of the following driving forces.
The Role of Emotions
Emotions are little engines that help in making our decisions. Fears drive us away, happiness draws us in, anger speeds us up and depression slows us.
A majority of the population undervalues the number of their decisions made more on an emotional than a logical basis.
How Beliefs and Values Shape Actions
Men do as they think they ought:
| Belief | Resulting Behavior |
|---|---|
| “I’m capable” | Confident actions |
| “I’m not good enough” | Self-protection, hesitation |
| “People can’t be trusted” | Guarded behavior |
| “I belong” | Openness and connection |
Belief is usually reflected in behavior.
Stressful Situations Behaviour
The coping styles are instinctive, they are brought about by stress:
| Style | Reaction |
|---|---|
| Fight | Confronts problems |
| Flight | Avoids or escapes |
| Freeze | Becomes stuck or silent |
| Fawn | Prioritizes pleasing others |
These are the reactions of primitive endurance wiring.
Knowing Yourself by the way of Behavior
Behavior is not merely what we see in other people. It is also the key to self-realization.
Recognizing Your Patterns
Everybody has the recurring patterns:
- How you handle conflict
- How you communicate
- How you react when overwhelmed
- How you behave when scared or excited
Your patterns are messages. They demonstrate what has to be paid attention to.
The behavioral transformation through Self-awareness
- When you start to notice these trends, then it is all different.
- You do react rather willingly.
- You break old habits.
- The way you live is a choice that reflects the life you desire.
Self-awareness does not solve it all, but it provides you with control over the path you are moving in.
Conclusion: The Knowledge of Behavior Makes Life easier.
Once you go beneath the surface then you can find human behavior easier to understand. There is a story behind every reaction, every habit, every preference and every conflict. Some of those stories started when they were young. Others can be traced back through the generations of evolution, which are carried along with them as instincts and forms that allowed our forefathers to survive.
When you are aware of these forces, then people cease to be a mystery. You start to understand why we are impatient, kind, fearful, confident, avoidant, and all the other aspects we demonstrate in our lives on a daily basis. It creates a sense of empathy. It also brings out the clarity in your own decisions and reactions.
Human behavior is not flawless, and it is not that easy. It is a combination of biology, experience, personality and the environment. However, the world is easier to navigate once you know how these pieces are made to connect. Relationships get smoother. Misguided perceptions are less personal. And your actions yourself begin to make sense.
FAQs
1. What defines human behavior?
Human behavior can be defined as the things, reactions, and patterns that people exhibit in the response to thoughts, emotions, and situations. It encompasses all the instinctive behaviors to conscious choices.
2. What makes a person behave the way he does?
A mix of genes, upbringing, environment, personality traits, cultural influences, and acquired experiences are influencing behaviors that keep on changing in the course of life.
3. Does human behavior largely occur by birth or is learned?
It’s a combination of both. Genes provide a sort of a blueprint but life experiences and social environments significantly influence the way these genetic inclinations come up.
4. What are the key type of human behaviour?
Researchers usually tend to categorize behavior as rational, emotional, passive, aggressive, and assertive. The other models are categorizing the behavior into innate, learned, and social behavioral patterns.
5. Why do people behave differently in the same situation?
Personality differences, past experiences, emotional stimulation, and cultural backgrounds will affect the way that one reacts and perceives the same event.
6. What is the role of evolution in the contemporary human behavior?
Most contemporary responses such as fear of danger, social acceptance and defense of loved ones are survival instincts as a result of the process of natural selection among humans.
7. What can be an example of human behavior in everyday life?
Even such simple behaviors as assisting a friend, avoiding conflict, procrastination, and responding emotionally to stress are typical behaviors of humans.
8. What is the relationship between personality and behavior?
The attributes of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and emotional sensitivity create regular patterns on the way individuals think, communicate and make decisions.
9. Is it possible to transform human behavior with time?
Yes. Although certain tendencies are permanent, behavior may change due to new experience, building of habits consciously, therapy, education, or environmental change.
10. Why then do people find it difficult dealing with problematic behaviour?
Stress, emotional overload, unmet needs or habits developed in earlier life are often the causes of the challenging behaviors. They may also develop out of mental illnesses or challenging surroundings.
