We explain what behavior is and what types of behavior exist. What factors regulate it and its role in the individual's adaptation.
What is behavior?
The behavior refers to the behavior of people. In the field of psychology it is understood that behavior is the expression of the particularities of the subjects, that is, the manifestation of 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:
- End First of all the end. It is from the objective of the behavior that the behavior acquires meaning and gives rise to an interpretation.
- Motivation In second place is motivation, that is, the behavior has something that mobilizes it.
- Causality Behavior also has or occurs for a specific cause.
Furthermore, 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 make it up. In other words, only external factors are referred to.
- Biological elements Linked to genetic issues that are determining factors in the biological process. That is, they have an internal character. In addition, other factors such as diet or months of gestation in the womb can be added. That is why the basis of human behavior is related to both the psychological and physiological parts 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 goals they are in different circumstances and are different as people. In this way it is exposed that the behavior responds to the purpose, the stimulus and the precise moment in which the subject is.
See also: Socialization
Behavior as an adaptation tool
Behavior is in turn a tool that allows the individual to adapt to the environment in which he or she is immersed. That is why there are different types of behaviors:
- Highlights They are automatic behaviors that are very simple since they represent the response to a specific stimulus.
- Intelligence This is another type of behavior that is very difficult to analyze and understand and also presents great changes.
- Unconscious behaviors They respond to an adaptation to the situation very quickly, without necessarily knowing the reasons that move the subjects in this case.
- Adaptive behaviors They are used by individuals to be able to insert themselves socially. To do this they require learning, motivation and memory.
- Communicative behavior. It is expressed through language, whether oral, written, through signs, etc.
behavioral psychology
Behaviorism is one of the most important currents in psychology. It is supported by the philosophy of praxis. This current understands that Behaviors must be analyzed scientifically integrating planes such as emotional, motor, cognitive and sensory.
To do this, he proposes three moments in the process:
- Behaviorism itself,
- The analysis of behavior through experience,
- The structure of behavior.
