The Psychology Behind Human Behavior

It is correct to suggest that human behavior may be explained as a combination and integration of biology, psyche, and the environment. In an attempt to understand why individuals behave in a particular manner, it is now and then presupposable to discuss different psychological theories and hypotheses. The following brief descriptions of some of these psychological theories help explain peoples’ behavior.

Biological Influences

Biological psychology, or biopsychology, is a branch of study that explains the biological aspect of behavior. Neurotransmitters, hormones, brain actualization, and our genetic code determine and regulate our actions.

1. Neurotransmitters and Behavior:

Neurotransmitters are molecules and chemicals that help transmit signals across the synapse from one nerve cell to another. For example, there is serotonin that has something to do with mood, and other chemicals, when not balanced, can lead to symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Dopamine is involved in contentment and is linked with the objective and reward-dependent mechanisms inherent in motivation and addiction.

2. Hormonal Influences:

These include cortisol and adrenaline, which belong to the stress response system hormones. Cortisol and stress are directly related to memory, and the changes are expected when the individual undergoes long-term stress. It might be involved in human bonding and behaviors in social settings. Oxytocin is otherwise sometimes called the ‘love hormone.’

3.Brain Structures:

Thus, one or another type of activity can be assigned to multiple parts of the brain, and they are all housed in one building,)))For example, the amygdala participates mainly in reuse, and aggression affects people. Each lobe has a different function; the frontal lobe is responsible for decision-making, controlling impulses, and even identifying personality.

Psychological Theories

Below, one can distinguish several different psychological theories which provide frameworks for understanding behavioral occurrences. The practices employed in counseling comprise four categories: psychodynamic theory, behavior theory, cognitive theory, and humanistic theory.

1. Psychodynamic Theory:

Another theory of personality is the psychodynamic theory by Sigmund Freud, which posits that the conscious mind does not dictate the personality but is a result of strife between the conflicting forces. The psychoanalytic perspective on personality that Freud proposed consists of id, ego, and superego; this means impulse and instinct, as well as restraint and conscience. Imbalances in these can lead to feelings of repression and other denial processes, which function as moderators of behavior and do not include consciousness.

2. Behavioral Theory:

The various theories of behavioral psychology are formed from the learning theories of behaviors and how they are learned. John B. Watson initiated this theory and later on by B. F. Skinner, helping in the development of this theory; this behaviorist theory dismissed the use of stimuli and reinforcements. The behavioral changes begin with classical conditioning based on Pavlov’s dogs and progress to the operant conditioning seen in Skinner’s box to show how stimuli and their outcomes influence behavior.

3. Cognitive Theory:

Cognitive psychology has been invested in understanding how the mind works through aspects like perception, memory, and decision-making. According to Creswell (2013), cognitive development theories by Jean Piaget are coherent in explaining how a child develops sequentially in terms of thinking. CBT is the therapy type that has both mental and behavioral components of psychotherapy with the potential for altering the cognitive structures and people’s behaviors.

4. Humanistic Theory:

Person-centered theory, a style pioneered by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, is very keen on the growth of individuals. This theory also includes a series of human needs ordered in a hierarchical structure, ranging from the lowest level of basic physical requirements of a human being to the highest level, self-actualization. The Attitude to Person and System is also based on Rogers’ Empathy Theory and Unconditional Positive Regard to promote the client-centered approach to compel an individual to foster an image of self-actualization.

Social Influences

Another essential component of human behavior profiles is also thought to be influenced by social factors. Social psychology is defined as the study of the effects of influences that stem from social interaction on the person.

1. Social Norms:

They refer to behavioral regulations that may not necessarily be mandated as laws but play a significant role in shaping the overall. They mainly influence ethical and unethical actions and tend to be culture- and context-dependent most of the time. These are some aspects of culture, such as the dress code, language used, and beliefs that are deemed fit to be practiced in a given society.

2. Social Roles:

These are the duties that an employee or a member of an organization or activity performs in their dealings with others or in connection with activities of the organizations or activities that the employee/ member is affiliated to. Each station has some requirements that need to be fulfilled, and the way of fulfilling them defines the actions to be taken. For example, the expected behaviors of a teacher entail that they act like a leader in a classroom; likewise, the expected behaviors of students entail that the learners are supposed to take instructions.

3. Group Dynamics:

Group dynamics is a branch of knowledge that is interested in the behavior of individuals who are in groups. It can cause pressure to produce such ideas as obedience, where a person will have to follow the orders of authority no matter how wrong they are, or even produce extreme pressure, where a group of people will move a normal-thinking person to do what is wrong. Social facilitation, therefore, indicates that it only enhances the rate of ease of the task for the individual when performing the activity under observation compared to when not performing the activity under observation.

4. Cultural Influences:

It has been considered a fundamental agent influencing the behavior of people as it provides direction on what practices are correct and how things should be conducted. While we have countries such as the USA that are individualistic and embrace performances and individualism, there are countries such as Japan that are collectivistic and support all kinds of unity and interdependence.

Conclusion

Social learning is also well recognized as a complex process through which some factors influencing human behavior are considered. While the terminology of biological perspective provides the physiological explanation of behavior, psychological theories provide the psychological explanation of the action. The focus on relations as social means highlights the concept of context and how it is used to address each other. If such a change in perspective was possible, then depression could be addressed better, and this would help the psychologists who are involved to be able to provide the correct type of support to persons being depressed. This integrative approach fosters an understanding of how various forms of aspects comprise human life and how they orient human behavior.

Thanks for reading.