Chapter 2

Concepts and Principles of

Human Behavior
Learning Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the

student will be able to:

 Understand how stages of

personality development from
infancy to adulthood or old
age, affects a person’s ability
to adapt to changes and
his/her environment;
 Explain how these stages can
either make or break a
person’s motivation and
ability to react to certain
situations.

References: Rodolfo V. Castillo, Jr., PhD & Atty. Ramil G. Gabao; Human Behavior and Victimology 2020; Jesster P.
Eduardo & Carlito R. Panganoron; Human Behavior & Crisis Management 2015
Human Behavior refers to a voluntary or involuntary attitude of a person to adapt and fit society’s
values and ideas of what is right and wrong.

It also refers to a range of actions demonstrated by humans in conjunction with their

environment, and in response to various stimuli, whether conscious or subconscious, internal or
external, voluntary or involuntary, and overt or covert.

Common Perspective in the study of Human Behavior

1. Neurological- this perspective emphasizes human actions in relation to events that take place
inside the body especially the brain and the nervous system.
2. Behavioral- view focuses on the external activities that can be observed and measured
3. Cognitive- this perspective studies how the brain processes and transforms information in
various ways.
4. Psychoanalytical- this view emphasizes unconscious motives stemming from repressed
sexual and aggressive impulses in childhood.
5. Humanistic- this perspective focuses on the subject’s experiences, freedom of choice, and
strong motivation to achieve self- actualization.

Factors that Affect Human Behavior

 Heredity-this is determined by genes, which are segments of cell structures called

chromosomes, by which parents pass on traits to their offspring.
 Environment- these factors consist of the conditions that surround and influence an
individual.
 Learning- this refers to the process by which behaviours change as a result of experience or
practice.

MOTIVATION OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR

The Needs Theory

This states that throughout one’s life, desires, wishes, and drives that are collectively called
needs motivate every individual. When not fulfilled, these need places an individual under stress.
Thus, to relieve the tensions created, one has to strive for appropriate satisfaction of these needs.
According to Abraham Maslow, human needs are arranged in a hierarchy.

The Five- Stage Pyramid according to Maslow’s Theory

Self Actualization

Esteem Needs

Love & Belonging Needs

Safety Needs

Physiological Needs

1. Biological Needs- food, drink, air, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep

References: Rodolfo V. Castillo, Jr., PhD & Atty. Ramil G. Gabao; Human Behavior and Victimology 2020; Jesster P.
Eduardo & Carlito R. Panganoron; Human Behavior & Crisis Management 2015
 2. Safety Needs- security, order, law stability, freedom from fear, protection from the elements.
3. Love and Belongingness needs- affection and love from work group, family friends, peers,
romantic relationships, friendship, intimacy
4. Esteem needs- achievement, independence, mastery, status, dominance, self- respect,
prestige, and respect from others.
5. Self-actualization needs- realization of one’s personal potential and self-fulfilment, seeking
personal growth and peak experiences.

The Psychodynamics of Human Motivation

Psychodynamics, which literally means “motivation to action”, defines human behaviour in

terms of the personality of the inner self. It also refers to the concept of subjective life and inner forces
within, which are called “mental personality”.

Two Basic Types of Human Behavior

1. Inherited Behaviour- behavioural response or reflex that is exhibited by people based on

their genetic endowment or the process of natural selection.
2. Learned Behavior -involves cognitive adaptation that enhances the human being’s abilities to
cope with environmental changes and manipulate the environment to improve one’s
existence.

Other Types of Behavior

1. Habitual- motor, emotional, language

2. Instinctive- unlearned behaviour
3. Symbolic- substitute behaviour
4. Complex- two or more habitual behaviours that occurs in one situation

Stimulants of Human Behavior

 Sensations- these are feelings or impression of stimuli that may be delivered.

 Perception- this refers to one’s knowledge of various stimuli from the environment or
external sources.
 Awareness- this is a psychological activity that occurs in accordance with the interpretation
and experience of various stimuli.

Characteristics of Human Behaviour

1. Human behaviour are primarily native or learned

2. Evoked by external stimuli or internal needs
3. Automatic, voluntary, conscious motor, or intentional

Personality Dimension that affect Human Behavior

1. Extraversion- frequently seeks stimulation, excitement, and thrills

2. Neuroticism- intensely reacts to stress, generally moody, touchy, sensitive to slights and
anxious or nervous.

References: Rodolfo V. Castillo, Jr., PhD & Atty. Ramil G. Gabao; Human Behavior and Victimology 2020; Jesster P.
Eduardo & Carlito R. Panganoron; Human Behavior & Crisis Management 2015
 3. Psychoticism- cold, cruel, social insensitivity disregard for danger, troublesome behaviour,
dislike of others, attraction towards the unusual.

References: Rodolfo V. Castillo, Jr., PhD & Atty. Ramil G. Gabao; Human Behavior and Victimology 2020; Jesster P.
Eduardo & Carlito R. Panganoron; Human Behavior & Crisis Management 2015
 Exercise no. 2

Name: ____________________________________ Score: _____________

Date Accomplished: _______________________

1. How is human behaviour defined by several perspectives and theories?

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2. What are the factors that affect human behaviour?
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3. According to Maslow’s Theory, explain how a human personality develops over time through
experience and how these experiences enable a person to reach self- actualization
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4. Choose a theory discussed here and describe how they explain the development of human
behaviour
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References: Rodolfo V. Castillo, Jr., PhD & Atty. Ramil G. Gabao; Human Behavior and Victimology 2020; Jesster P.
Eduardo & Carlito R. Panganoron; Human Behavior & Crisis Management 2015