We explain what behavior is and what types of behaviors exist. What factors regulate it and its role in the adaptation of the individual.
What is conduct?
The conduct refers to people’s behavior. In the field of psychology, it is understood that behavior is the expression of the particularities of the subjects, that is, the manifestation of the personality. That is why the concept refers to the visible and external factors of individuals.
It is understood that there are three factors that regulate or influence behavior, these are:
- The end. First the end. It is from the objective of the behavior that the behavior acquires a meaning and gives rise to an interpretation.
- Motivation. In second place is motivation, that is to say that the behavior has something that mobilizes it.
- Causality. The behavior also possesses or is produced by a specific cause.
In addition, it is considered that there are two more elements that direct behavior, they are the elements of society and the environment, and the biological elements.
- Elements of the environment. In the first case, reference is made to the environment in which the subject is immersed, both in relation to the physical and social environment, including the institutions that comprise it. In other words, only external factors are referred to.
- Biological elements. Linked to genetic issues that are decisive in the biological process. In other words, they have an internal character. In addition, other factors such as diet or the months of gestation in the mother’s womb can be added to it. That is why the basis of human behavior is related to both the psychological and physiological aspects of people, in a complementary way.
It is understood that people have different behaviors, defining in this case behavior as a reaction. The diversity of behaviors is due to the fact that individuals desire different endsThey are in various circumstances and are different as people. In this way it is exposed that the behavior responds to the end, the stimulus and the precise moment in which the subject is.
Behavior as an adaptation tool
Behavior is in turn a tool that allows the individual to adapt to the environment in which he is immersed. That is why there are behaviors of different kinds:
- Reflexes. They are automatic behaviors and they are very simple since they represent the response to a certain stimulus.
- Intelligence. It is another type of behavior that is very difficult to analyze and understand and also shows great changes.
- Unconscious behaviors. They respond to an adaptation to the situation very quickly, without necessarily knowing the motives that move the subjects in this case.
- Adaptive behaviors. They are used by individuals to be able to insert themselves socially. For this they require learning, motivations and memory.
- Communicative behavior. It is expressed through language, whether it is oral, written, signed, etc.
Behavioral psychology
Behaviorism is one of the most important currents in psychology. It is supported by the philosophy of praxis. This stream understands that behaviors must be scientifically analyzed, integrating planes such as emotional, motor, cognitive and sensory.
To do this, it raises three moments of the process:
- Behaviorism proper,
- Behavior analysis through experience,
- The structure of behavior.