Body Language and Behaviour

Concept of Human Behaviour- Human behaviour, the potential and expressed capacity for
physical, mental, and social activity during the phases of human life .
Theories of human behaviour
Of all the theories about human behaviour, one of the most prevalent is that of conditioning –
an unconscious learning process that links a stimulus to a response or elicits a behaviour
through reinforcement. There are two main types of conditioning, and different people may
be more impacted by one form over the other.

The APA defines conditioning as “the process by which certain kinds of experience make
particular actions more or less likely”. Naturally, conditioning human beings to behave in
certain ways can prompt ethical or moral debates, especially when someone is conditioned to
act in a manner that fails to suit their best interests. Still, others maintain that human beings
are all inherently programmed to behave in one way or another. Let’s explore the two types of
conditioning in more detail:

Classical conditioning
Classical conditioning occurs when someone comes to associate specific stimuli with a
certain outcome. This manner of conditioning often encourages people to behave in ways that
will bring them joy and pleasure. For instance, if someone finds that they tend to do well
when they follow their instincts as opposed to following the rules, they are likelier to be a
nonconformist and take risks. Classical conditioning does not always have to occur from the
actions or manipulations of a specific individual. Sometimes, it naturally happens from the
environment to which someone is routinely exposed.

Operant conditioning
Operant conditioning controls human behaviour via positive and negative reinforcement. For
example, a person who finds themselves constantly in trouble with the law when they break
certain rules typically learns to associate rule-breaking with legal issues. Likewise, someone
who regularly studies for exams and aces them starts to associate studying with positive
grades. When it comes to human behaviour, people tend to steer clear of what causes them
pain and gravitate toward pleasure and personal satisfaction.

Cognition-
Another theory in the realm of human behaviour is known as cognition. This prevalent theory
maintains that human behaviour is determined by an individual’s thoughts, inner judgments,
personal motivations, etc. This theory places an emphasis on people’s hidden states and
argues that what a person is feeling, thinking, or battling will eventually impact the behaviour
that the world sees. Cognitive theories that pertain to human behaviour are heavily supported
by mental health studies, psychological studies, and more. Much of what exists within the
tangible, external world today originally existed within an individual’s mind.

Types of human behaviour

Many theories of human behaviour are widely used and accepted in today’s world.
Understanding these theories can make a difference, but so can learning more about the types
of human behaviour and the factors which drive them. As a unique species, human beings
will collectively and individually fall into different or even multiple categories. Certain
people may be more inclined in one direction, whereas others might be driven by something
else entirely. The following offer explanations for different types of human behaviour.

Personality-based
How people behave can largely be impacted by their personality. Some individuals may be
patient and easy going, while others are impatient and hot-headed. In many cases, it can be
difficult to gauge someone’s personality right off the bat. Usually, it takes some time to get to
know them, interact with them, and gain an understanding of what type of person they are.
Some personalities are friendlier than others, and there are a series of factors that can shape
or alter someone’s personality, such as culture, environment, and peers.
Interest-based
A person’s level of interest in other people or subjects can significantly influence their
behaviour. Interest can determine whether someone behaves in a way that is consistent with
who they are and may also predict whether they will take risks or pursue a goal. Often, when
someone is interested in a person or subject, they are more likely to devote attention to it than
if they were not interested. Gauging a person’s interest in something can be an effective way
of predicting or theorizing forthcoming human behaviour.

Attitude-based
Like personality and interest, individual attitudes can also deeply affect human behaviour.
Attitudes can be considered negative or positive, stemming from one’s development or
outside influences. Nevertheless, a person’s attitude can still determine the choices they
make, the way they interact with others, and their general day-to-day behaviour. A positive
attitude can make someone more open and receptive to certain people or situations while a
negative attitude tends to cause individuals to avoid or shut out anything they view
unfavourably.
Emotion-based
Emotions are often deeply relevant when it pertains to human behaviour. Many actions and
decisions in life are emotionally charged, even when the emotional background may not be
apparent on the surface. A positive emotional state can cause someone to be open-minded, a
risk-taker, and more likely to engage in certain behaviours. Likewise, a negative emotional
state can lead to isolation, or a person’s decision to withdraw from others. Many manners of
human behaviour can be traced back to emotions of some sort, even if additional factors are
involved.

Human behaviour and self-control

Despite the theories and factors of human behaviour, self-control remains relevant. Self-
control has been defined as the ability to be in command of one’s behaviour and inhibit one’s
impulses. This form of self-discipline will direct a person to choose long-term outcomes over
short-term gains. How someone chooses to behave makes a difference because, at the end of
the day, each person is responsible for their own actions. While it can be easy to control
yourself and your actions when life is going well, behaviour in the face of stress, worries, and
challenges is often what turns out to be the most defining. Even if someone takes certain
actions under stress, they will still be held accountable for them.

Self-control determines whether you stay grounded even in the face of adversity or tough
times. Someone who lacks self-control may have a significantly harder time staying out of
trouble than someone who knows how to manage themselves. Exercising self-control does
not mean that you are immune to negative emotions or that your personality, interest levels,
and attitudes do not affect you. However, when you have self-control, you can manage these
factors instead of allowing them to manage you.

Consequences, whether positive or negative, can be inevitable factors when it comes to

human behaviour. The choices you make and how you choose to behave determine whether
you experience desirable or undesirable outcomes. The more self-control you develop, the
more likely you are to be able to manage your behaviours and experience interpersonal
success.
Group Behaviour: Group behaviour refers to the actions and interactions of a group of
people, including communication, decision making, and social dynamics.
Individual Behaviour: Individual behaviour refers to the actions and decisions of a single
person, including thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Group Behaviour Individual Behaviour

Group behaviour is influenced by the actions and Individual behaviour is influenced by the actions and
decisions of multiple people. decisions of a single person.

Group behaviour can be influenced by the presence of a Individual behaviour is not affected by the presence of
leader or authority figure. a leader or authority figure.

Group behaviour can be influenced by group norms Individual behaviour is not affected by group norms
and expectations. and expectations.

Group behaviour can be influenced by the size of the Individual behaviour is not affected by the size of the
group. group.

Group behaviour can be influenced by the diversity of Individual behaviour is not affected by the diversity of
the group. the group.
Self-awareness is your ability to perceive and understand the things that make you who
you are as an individual, including your personality, actions, values, beliefs, emotions, and
thoughts. Essentially, it is a psychological state in which the self becomes the focus
of attention.
Levels of Self-Awareness
So how exactly do children become aware of themselves as separate beings? One major
theory of self-awareness, introduced by developmental psychologist Philippe Rochat,
suggests that there are five levels of self-awareness. Children progress through these stages
between birth and approximately age 4 or 5:1

Differentiation: A baby begins to acknowledge their own reflection. They may detect there is
something different or special about looking at their reflection.
Situation: A baby begins to recognize their own reflection, being, and movements as separate
from those around them.
Identification: This is the stage during which a child fully knows that it is their own reflection
in a mirror. They know, "This is me."
Permanence: They have a complete sense of themselves and can identify themselves in
pictures or videos, even as their appearance changes.
Self-consciousness: A child adapts a third-person point of view of themselves; they become
aware of the idea that others perceive them in certain ways. This may result in feelings such
as pride or shame.