Behavioral Psychology

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Behavioral Psychology

There is a close relationship between the mind and human behavior. Many factors influence the behavior of an individual. There are external factors that influence how a person relates to other people. There are also the personality traits that emanate from within and individual without the influence of any external factor. There has been much research to establish the factors that influence human behavior, and many psychologists intimate that there are situational and dispositional effects on human behavior. In every community, there are cultural practices that affect how people relate to one another. When one is born in a particular environment, they learn certain behaviors by observing what people in that specific place behave. However, it is critical to note that cultural practices are passed from one generation to another, which plays a vital role in shaping how people behave. Cultural practices provided a framework that guides human behavior, and when one is born in a certain cultural setting, they adapt to the norms practiced by other people.

Cultural practices differ widely across the world, and in some instances, they also vary among different communities within a given region. For example, in western culture, individuals are trained to maintain a culture of independence. These people are prepared to make an individual decision without the influence of other community members. On the other hand, people in Asia are trained to relate and depend on one another. Most of the make decisions based on the norms of their communities, and anyone who goes against their cultural training is often viewed as a rebel. Many people still exercise their traditional beliefs in African, which influences how they relate with one another. However, cultural practices differ from ethnic group to another. Although people are affected by their cultural practices, it is important to note that people’s mobility from one place to another has also shaped the way people behave. In the last few years, global development has necessitated people from different regions, which has enabled them to exchange their cultural practices, thus influencing how people behave (Cole, 2011).

The technological revolution is another factor that has shaped human behavior in the last few years. The emergence of social media has revolutionized how people do things and influenced how they behave. Social media has been identified as one of the leading causes of mental health issues among young people. Social media is a very effective tool that is easy to use, and many people have created accounts that they use to socialize with other members of society. Although social media was intended to bring people to close together to socialize and interact, many people are now comparing themselves with their peers and coping with their lifestyles, which hurts their mental health. Equally, social media has revolutionized how people do their shopping. Unlike a few years ago, where people would go to the in-stores to do their shopping, they can now order their products and deliver them to their doorstep. This has limited the interaction that existed before, and this has had a direct influence on how people behave. Before social media was established, people used to interact and share their experiences. But that has changed before establishing relationships online with strangers, which has equally affected how people behave (Wakefield and Wakefield, 2016).

Although situational circumstances largely influence human behavior, it is critical to note that genetics also plays a role in how individuals behave. Many scholars have researched to establish the different behaviors exhibited by people, and there is sufficient evidence to link the inheritance of genes to a certain form of behavior. It has been shown that people who come from a family with mental health issues are like to pass the same genes to the other generations. Dispositional behavior is largely associated with individuals making decisions or exhibiting certain behavior not influenced by external forces. According to multiple studies conducted, these are people who have inherited most of their parents’ behavior. These people can individually formulate their perception of certain things in society and act in a manner that is not conforming to societal expectations (Flint et al. 2020).

Human behavior is also influenced by gender. Research has shown that both men and women can perform the same tasks when given equal opportunities. However, society members have created the notion that they are certain responsibilities that can only be executed by men or women. Although there has been a lot of development in bridging the gap in the gender roles, women are still viewed as the primary caregivers whose responsibility is to take care of the children at home. Despite the existing evidence to show that women can also undertake leadership roles, society members still view leadership responsibility as a reserve for men. The stereotype created in the society on the gender roles influences how people relate with one another and how they behave in the society.

In conclusion, many factors influence how people behave. These factors include the cultural practices in the community and how hereditary factors among members of a family. The development of technology has also brought a revolution in how people interact with one another, which has impacted how people behave.

References

Cole, M., & Packer, M. (2011). Culture in development. Psychology Press.

Flint, J., Greenspan, R. J., & Kendler, K. S. (2020). How Genes Influence Behavior 2e. Oxford University Press.

Wakefield, R., & Wakefield, K. (2016). Social media network behavior: A study of user passion and affect. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 25(2), 140-156.