1. PEER EDUCATION PROGRAM, KWTA,
MACHAKOS; 07 th to 09th OCTOBER, 2020
TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING HUMAN
BEHAVIOUR
BY
Dr. VIRGINIA NYAGAH
2. DEFINITION OF TERMS
Human- A person
Behavior- A response/s which is observed directly/
indirectly
-Actions and mannerism
Human behavior-The way humans act and interact.
-It is based on and influenced by several
factors, such as genetic make-up, culture and individual values
and attitudes
3. INTRODUCTION
The existence of the organization depends on the
employees/individuals and how they behave.
It is very essential to understand human behavior,
failure to which makes work in an organization very
difficult.
All organizations are composed of individuals, with
different personality, attitudes, values, perception,
motives, aspirations and abilities.
The main reason to understand human behavior is
that individuals are different.
No two individuals are similar.
4. IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING HUMAN
BEHAVIOR
• Human behavior is very much unpredictable. Therefore, we cannot assume one set pattern of
behavior.
• Behavior can either be caused, motivated or goal oriented.
• By understanding behavior one can predict, direct, change and control behavior of individuals or
group.
• It is essential for managers to understand behavior as they are constantly with people, interacting
with them in terms of communication
• Understanding past behavior is important for developing effective human skills, and also provides
a framework for predicting behavior.
• It also gives an idea to managers as to how behavior is similar in certain circumstances and
changing in changing environmental conditions.
5. MODELS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
1. Psychoanalytic Model: Proposed by Sigmud Freud.
Behavior is not always consciously explained but "Unconscious" is the major
factor which guides the individual's behaviour.
Behavior depends on three factors: id, Ego and Super ego.
Id: Means pleasure seeking. Id in an individual can be constructive but may
also lead to destructive tendencies like being aggressive, dominating, fighting
and generally destroy.
This kind of instinctive is more dominating in childhood. But once individuals
develop and mature they learn to control the id
6. Psychoanalytic Model Cont’D
Ego: represents `conscious' stage in one's behavior. It is the reasoning
principle.
Though Id comes in conflict with ego, the ego depends on the super ego.
Superego: It represents "conscience". An individual is not aware of the
superego's functioning. The conscience is dependent on two factors that is
cultural values and moral of a society.
Superego's development depends mostly on parent's influence. Once the
child grows up the child will unconsciously identifies with parents value
and morals.
There is always tussle between id, ego and superego. The degree of each of
them varies from person to person. So the variations in individual's
behavior can be better understood with the help of this model.
7. 2. Maslow’s Theory of Learning and
Behavior Changes
Proposed by Abraham Maslow.
Maslow’s theory came up with Hierarchy of Needs.
The theory suggests that we have divergent needs at different
times and motivation occurs due to those needs.
The lower level needs must be satisfied before higher-order
needs which influence behavior.
People have an internal drive to realize their potential (self
actualization) and we naturally have to do so unless the
social environment constraints their opportunities.
8.
9. 3. Biological bases of behavior
The physical structure of the body plays an important role in the
behavior of an individual
The Nervous System
Central nervous system (CNS) – brain and spinal cord
• Peripheral nervous system – nerves that lie outside the central
nervous system
• Somatic nervous system – voluntary muscles and sensory receptors
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS) – controls automatic,
involuntary functions –
Sympathetic – Go (fight-or-flight) –
Parasympathetic – Stop
10. Nervous System Cont’D
The basic unit of the nervous system is the neuron.
It has 3 functions
Receive signals (or information).
Integrate incoming signals (to determine whether or
not the information should be passed along).
Communicate signals to target cells (other neurons
or muscles or glands).
12. Nervous System Cont’D
Synapses
Neuron-to-neuron connections are known as synapses.
They are the sites at which information is carried from the
first neuron, the presynaptic neuron, to the target neuron (the
postsynaptic neuron).
At most synapses and junctions, information is transmitted
in the form of chemical messengers called
neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitter molecules cross the synapse and bind to
membrane receptors on the postsynaptic cell, conveying an
excitatory or inhibitory signal.
13. Neurotransmitters and their functions
Neurotransmitter Function
Acetylcholine Activates motor neuron controlling skeletal muscles
Contributes to the regulation of attention arousal and
memory
Dopamine Contributes to control of voluntary movement, pleasurable
emotions
Norepinephrine Contributes to the modulation of mood and arousal
Serotonin Involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, eating
and aggression.
Abnormal levels may contribute to depression and
obsessive compulsive disorder
14. 4. Heredity and Behavior
We inherit characteristics from our parents in the
form of genes. At birth, a child possesses a
unique combination of genes received from both
parents.
These genes are located on chromosomes found
in the nucleus of the cell
The genes carry DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
which determines the information to be inherited
The information determines the characteristics
exhibited in some behaviors.
15. 5. Socio-cultural Basis of Behavior
Human behavior is fundamentally social
Culture- it is an idea created and shared by a
group of people
It includes behavioral products of others who
preceded us
Culture shapes our behavior in a significant
manner
Culture can be transmitted through
16. Enculturation
This refers to all learning that takes place without direct,
deliberate teaching
We learn certain ideas, concepts and values simply because
of their availability in our cultural context.
Concepts are transmitted both directly and indirectly and are
learned very well because they are an intergral part of life of
a cultural group and are never questioned.
Key element of enculturation is learning by observation
17. Socialization
Process by which individuals acquire knowledge,
skils and dispositions which enable them to
participate as effective members of groups and
society.
This process continues the entire life span
The probabibility of our behaving in a particular way
is greatly affected by people who relate to us.
Agents of socialization include: parents, schools, peer
groups, media influences
18. Acculturation
Refers to cultural and psychological changes resulting from
contact with other cultures.
Whenever acculturation occurs, it requires relearning of
norms, values, dispositions and patterns of behaviors.
Acculturation can take place through
Intergration- interest in both maintaining ones original
cultural and identity while staying in daily interaction
19. Acculturation Cont’D
Assimilation- Refers to an attitude which people do not
wish to maintain their cultural identity and want to
identify with other peoples culture
Separation- Refers to attitude in which people seem to
place a value of holding on to their original culture and
wish to avoid interaction with other cultural group.
Marginalization- Refers to an attitude in which their is
little possibility of interest in ones cultural maintenance
and little interest in having relations with other cultural
groups.
20. CONCLUSION
Behavior of individuals is caused, and is
unpredictable.
Understanding of human behavior is however,
rewarding and necessary for management as it
helps in organizational design, training and
development
This leads to improved behavior of the members of
an organization in terms of how they relate in work
place and end result is increased work performance.
