Psychology of human behavior

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The psychology of human behavior and its study is a very complex but interesting process. Why is it pleasant and easy to communicate with one person, and difficult and tense with another? There is a desire to quickly end the conversation and leave, despite the fact that he is a good friend who is always courteous and polite.

We intuitively understand when a person is sincere and when he is cunning. That is why we experience conflicting feelings: on the one hand, the person did nothing wrong, and on the other hand, there is an inner feeling that suggests that we should stay away from him.

The described situation of interpersonal relationships is explained in psychology.

Definition of concept

The psychology of behavior is a field of knowledge that explains non-verbal body movements (facial expressions, gestures, intonations) of a person and draws conclusions about how sincere, truthful, confident and open he is.

Very often we make such an assessment unconsciously when we feel uncomfortable communicating with a familiar person oreven avoid it. But in fact, we evaluate his behavioral manifestations, which tell us what he thinks of us, how he treats us, despite the fact that his words may be friendly or neutral.

There are a number of techniques that allow you to determine the true intentions of a person, his emotions, the level of self-esteem. His movements, facial expressions and other features betray his inner fears, attitudes, complexes, which we subconsciously catch or evaluate consciously, if we have certain knowledge and experience.

We perceive the process of communication as a big picture, sometimes during a conversation we do not notice what he is wearing, what he says, but we pay attention to how he does it, what phrases and words he uses, how he sits and what he holds in hands. Sometimes it's the little things that catch your attention and stick in your memory: a smell, a speech impediment, an accent, slips of the tongue, mis-emphasis, an inappropriate laugh, and so on.

A scientific discipline that helps explain and decipher the unconscious nuances in people's behavior that betray their true intentions is behavioral psychology.

1. What do gestures and facial expressions tell us?

Gestures and facial expressions play a huge role in conversation. But, despite the simplicity of deciphering certain postures and gestures of a person, they can carry a completely different meaning.

For example, in the psychology of lies there are basic signs of deceit: a person does not look into his eyes, touches his mouth, nose, neck. But the interlocutor can touch the nose only because it itches.

Crossed legs or arms - these gestures in the psychology of human behavior are interpreted as distrust, tightness, isolation, but the interlocutor can be just cold.

Tips on deciphering mannerisms and gestures can often lead to confusion or embarrassment. For example, when we see an open pose in an interlocutor, a confident and calm voice, a pleasant sincere look, we take him for an honest person, but in fact he has fraudulent intentions. Or pick-up artists, how much charm, wit, sincerity, good breeding they have - and this is all in order to assert themselves.

2. What does speech and intonation tell us?

The speed of speech, rhythm, volume, intonation greatly affect communication and can tell a lot of additional information about a person, according to the psychology of behavior. Science helps understand the emotional state of a person:

• A calm, reasonable, balanced person speaks rhythmically, slowly, with an average degree of volume.
• The impulsiveness of character gives out fast and lively speech.
• Those who are insecure or withdrawn speak softly, uncertainly.

3. Often words are not as important as intonation.

But it should be understood that if a person is in an unfamiliar environment, he may behave differently than in the usual environment.

The psychology of behavior will allow you to determine the hidden factors that actually affect a person. But in order to see and understand them, you need to be “savvy” in knowledge and attentive to people.

Deviant behavior andpsychology

The phenomenon of such behavior is so complex and widespread that there is a separate science for its study - deviantology, which arose at the intersection of criminology, sociology, psychology and psychiatry.

1. The concept of "deviant" and social behavior in psychology

"Deviation" from the Latin language - "deviation". In psychology, deviant behavior from the norms accepted in society is called deviant or asocial. That is, it is sustainable human behavior that causes real damage to people and society. It is harmful both to others and to the deviant himself.

In the psychology of deviant behavior, such forms of deviations as suicide, crime, prostitution, drug addiction, vagrancy, fanaticism, alcoholism, vandalism are studied.

Such behavior is associated with malice, violence, aggression, destruction, therefore, society has conditionally or legally introduced punishment measures for the violator of social norms, he is isolated, treated, corrected or punished.

2. The personality of the deviant, his psychology, behavior patterns

Science does not study how and where a person committed a misdemeanor, it is interested in general patterns and personality characteristics.

Causes and sources of antisocial behavior:

• Physiological: genetic predisposition to aggression; diseases of the endocrine system; chromosomal abnormalities.
• Public: imperfect legislation; social inequality; media propaganda of an asocial lifestyle;hanging "labels"; negative ratings given by relatives.
• Psychological reasons: internal conflicts between conscience and desires; a special warehouse of character; deviations in the psyche; dysfunctional family relationships; too conservative, strict, cruel childhood upbringing.

In the nature of deviants, there are often such traits as conflict, negativism, addiction, anxiety, aggressiveness, hostility. They often cheat and do it with pleasure, they like to shift responsibility and blame on others.

Deviant behavior of a person leads to his social maladaptation, that is, he does not adapt to the conditions of society and, as a result, goes against it.

A child's behavior cannot be antisocial, since self-control in babies under 5 years old is not yet developed and the process of adaptation in society has just begun.

The most dangerous period in terms of the possibility of developing deviation between the ages of 12 and 20.

3. How to deal with a behavior problem?

Most often, people with this behavior get to a psychologist already in places of deprivation of liberty, in children's colonies, in addiction treatment centers. The society is engaged in the prevention of deviations in hospitals, schools, dysfunctional families, through the media, but the problem is that there is no individual approach, and a person cannot cope with this on his own. But he may realize the need to change his lifestyle and seek help from specialists.

Psychology of addictive behavior

Dependence is called in psychology as a science of behaviorperson, attachment to someone or something. It is unacceptable from the point of view of moral or social norms, threatens he alth and causes suffering to the person himself.

Dependence harms society and the individual, it limits his development and leads to all kinds of mental illness.

More people die from addiction than from crime and war combined. It manifests itself in the form of an escape from problems into an illusory-ideal world. Gradually, a person ceases to control his behavior, emotions, thoughts. His entire existence is reduced to an object of addiction, which gradually completely destroys him as a person.

Recently, the spread of drug and alcohol use among young people has become a national disaster. Therefore, the attention of psychologists, psychiatrists, sociologists, narcologists, and lawyers has been drawn to this problem.

Dependent behavior is also called addictive - it is a kind of deviant behavior, that is, it is the desire to escape reality by changing one's mental consciousness. The psychology of behavior sees this as a destructive attitude towards oneself and society.

Addictive behavior is alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking, hypersexuality, gambling, computer addiction, addiction to rich food, shopping.

Addiction varies in severity from normal to severe.

Why do some people develop this strong andirresistible attachment, what explains the impulsiveness and insatiability of attraction? The answers to these questions are of great importance for society and for each individual.

Psychology of gestures and facial expressions

The psychology of behavior, gestures and facial expressions is the key to the secrets of a person that he wants to hide. As a result of evolution, man has learned to convey thoughts and feelings with the help of words. But along with this skill, he mastered the art of hiding his true intentions and intentions, aspirations. You need to be able to "read" your interlocutor by his body movements. Only in this way can one understand what is on his mind and what can be expected of him.

American psychologist Meyerabian Albert believes that when communicating, we convey 7% of the amount of information verbally, 38% - intonation and tone of voice, 55% - non-verbal signals.

The main rule of the psychology of gestures and facial expressions says that there is no person in the world who can fully control body movements during a conversation, even if he wants to intentionally mislead the interlocutor.

A person on a subconscious level reacts almost the same way to certain situations. The involuntary facial expressions and gestures of a stranger allow you to hear and see hidden behind the screen of words.

Most important nonverbal cues:

• Protection. In dangerous or uncomfortable situations, when there is a desire to isolate themselves from the interlocutor, people lean back, cover themselves with a book, folder or other object, cross their legs, cross their arms onchest, clench fists. Their eyes are constantly watching the one from whom they expect a dirty trick. This behavior betrays alertness and tension, as well as not being ready for a constructive dialogue.
• Openness. The body is tilted towards the interlocutor, open palms, a benevolent smile - these signals indicate a predisposition to communicate.
• Interested. The absence of gestures, the sparkle in the eyes speaks of enthusiasm, the person is all in attention, he is leaning forward and trying not to move so as not to miss a word.
• Bored. An extinct look, rhythmic swaying of the leg, fiddling with something in his hands, drawing, yawning. In sign language in the psychology of communication, this means that the listener has no interest in the topic of conversation.
• Skepticism. The person agrees with the interlocutor, but makes it clear that he does not trust him with such gestures as rubbing his neck, scratching his ear, cheek, forehead, smirk, propping his chin with his palm.

Psychology on human behavior teaches us to understand the wisdom of non-verbal symbolism and the true understanding of each other.

What can nonverbal speech tell about a person

Most people underestimate the role of facial expressions and gestures in communication. But it is with the help of non-verbal signals that the first impression of a person is created. And it will be remembered for a long time. Gestures help or distract listeners from the conversation, even their absence carries information about the person speaking.

So, what do these gestures mean:

• a sluggish handshake speaks of a person's shyness and insecurity, and vice versa, a strong handshake indicates a desire to impose one's ownopinion;
• if a woman straightens her hair, it means she preens;
• if a person gestures with only one hand, this indicates his unnaturalness;
• touching the forehead, mouth, nose is considered deception;
• crossing arms indicates skepticism of the interlocutor and distrust of the one who speaks;
• stoop, hunchback speak of a person's low self-esteem and insecurity.

It is necessary to develop observation in yourself, it helps to collect additional information about the people with whom you have to communicate.

The main thing in the psychology of human behavior is the ability to listen and see. After all, the sound of the voice and its intonation, gestures and facial expressions of the interlocutor are of great importance.

What a man's behavior tells us about

The psychology of the strong half of humanity is always associated with the performance of certain actions: to win, to get, to win. Therefore, in their games from childhood, there is always a spirit of competition in endurance, strength of character, strength.

All their actions are aimed at the end result. Their self-esteem from childhood is based on abilities and achievements.

The words and actions of men and women are different. Therefore, in a conversation with them, you need to pay attention to the general manner of behavior. If during a conversation he crosses his legs or arms, sits half-turned, it means that he is not listening, he is, as it were, blocking off information. If he looks into his eyes and periodically looks at his lips, then he is passionateconversation.

If a man adjusts his tie, changes his posture often, his eyebrows are raised high and his eyes are wide open, he is interested in the woman he is talking to.

If he avoids looking, fiddling with buttons or other small details of clothing, covers his mouth with his hand, straightens his shirt collar, this means that the interlocutor is trying to hide something.

It should be remembered that all these non-verbal signals are average. The psychology of the stronger sex is much more complicated and depends on the person and his emotional fullness.

What do children tell us with their antics?

The psychology of a child's behavior is based on three basic principles:

• feeling of belonging to the family system;
• emotional connection with parents;
• Self-importance.

When the basic needs of a child are satisfied (sleep, food, water), he has a desire to satisfy the emotional. He needs to have some responsibilities assigned only to him. That is, something that depends only on him. It boosts his self-esteem. He must feel that he contributes to the life of the family, to know that his opinion is considered, that he also manages events.

How can you help your child and satisfy his need for significance and belonging?

First of all, you need to form a close emotional connection with mom, dad and other relatives. And involve the child in discussing family problems, making decisions.

If there isconflict with the child, talk to him, perhaps he lacks parental attention. It is necessary to let him know that he is very important and needed.

Spending time with your child at least 20 minutes a day, but it should be devoted only to him. Children really like to fool around and play with their parents, this is how the strongest emotional connection is established. Do not teach him how to play with certain toys, it is better to remain non-judgmental. He should have a sphere of life in which he alone should make decisions. Try to become a friend, not a teacher.

Psychology of women

The psychology of the beautiful half of humanity is based on several circumstances:

1. Warehouse of character. Most women are sanguine. They are active, they are characterized by mood swings, they know how to control feelings, subordinate circumstances to their desires.
2. Education - what parents have laid in a little girl determines her actions and behavior.
3. Experience - if she has faced negativity all her life, she stops trusting people and becomes lonely. Her behavior is different from the standard.

The psychology of a lady's behavior is determined by her attitude towards a man. Psychologists believe that women have a natural ingenuity that helps them in life. But they, first of all, direct their ingenuity to relationships with men. For example, they try to appear strong and independent, they always have some hobbies and hobbies,often scheduled personal time and so on.

People's behavior patterns

Based on socionics and Dellinger's theory of psychoforms, forms of human behavior were identified:

1. Dominant is the behavior of leaders, realists, practitioners.
2. Creative - characteristic of people with abstract-figurative thinking. They rely more on intuition, have ingenuity, foreboding, fantasy, completely out of touch with reality.
3. A harmonizing form of behavior is characteristic of people who are endowed with sympathy, ethics, subtle diplomacy.
4. Normalization is the behavior of logicians capable of analyzing facts.

Usually people have a combination of two types of behavior, one of which is more pronounced.

In conclusion

The human soul and body are in close and inextricable connection. It is impossible to separate external manifestations from character. Human psychology by behavior, facial expressions and gestures makes it possible to easily determine the type of character. This is a very important and necessary skill in our difficult time.