REVIEW NOTES IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND

VICTIMOLOGY

BY: RODOLFO R. DE GUZMAN, JR.

I. UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOR

What is behavior?

Behaviour or behavior (see spelling differences) refers to

the actions or reactions of an object or organism, usually in
relation to the environment. Behavior can be conscious or
unconscious, overt or covert, and voluntary or involuntary.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavior)

Behavior refers to every aspect of an organism’s functioning

–overt actions, mental, emotional, and psychological
functioning.
Lefton and Valvatne, 1988:6.
"Behavior is the
The extreme of the mechanistic view
result of instincts,
is the theory of instincts. An instinct
which are present
is an innate biological force, which
since birth."
commands the organism to behave in
a particular way. The main advocate
of the instinct theory was the
psychologist McDougall. He
hypothesized that all thinking and
behavior is the result of instincts,
which are fixed from birth, but which
can be adjusted by learning and
experience.
 In the 1920's instinct theory was replaced by the
theory of drives. A driving force originates from a
natural need, like thirst. Such a situation stimulates the
organism to comply with the need. Lack of food causes
chemical changes in the blood, which causes the need
for food, which stimulates the organism to look for
food.

Philosophers in the seventeenth and eighteenth century

(like Descartes and Hobbes) shared a mechanistic view.
They thought that some of our actions are the result of
internal or external forces, which are not under voluntary
control. Hobbes, for example, claimed that underlying
reasons for behavior are the avoidance of pain and the
quest for pleasure.
CLASSIFICATIONS:

1. Conscious behavior characterizes a reaction of which the

individual is aware.
2. Unconscious behavior characterizes a behavior of which
the individual is not aware and does not know the reason
or motive for it.
3. Overt behavior consist of responses which are publicly
observable;
4. Covert behavior refers to responses which cannot be
directly observed such as thoughts , feelings, grandular
reactions, etc. In covert behavior, the behavior and bodily
changes are known only to the person experiencing it.

Acts which are categorized according to the number of

neutrons involved in the process of behaving are either
simple or complex behavior.
5. Simple behavior involves only few neutrons while
6. complex behavior involves more neutrons.

7. Rational behavior is a behavior influenced or guided by

reason rather than emotion.
8. Irrational behavior is a behavior done without sanity,
reason or logic.
9. Voluntary behavior pertains to psychological or
muscular processes which are under the direct control of the
cerebral cortex. This is an act which is done with full volition
or will.
10. Involuntary behavior refers to actions which are made
without intent. These are the processes within our body that
can go on even while we are asleep or awake.
What is Human Behavior?

Human behavior is the collection of behaviors exhibited by

human beings and influenced by culture, attitudes, emotions,
values, ethics, authority, rapport, hypnosis, persuasion,
coercion and/or genetics.

It is the voluntary or involuntary attitude a person adopts in

order to fit society’s idea of right or wrong. It is partly
determined by heredity and environment, and modified
through learning. It is also the way human beings act. Many
people use the word behavior to mean conduct but in
psychology and other behavioral sciences, behavior is
regarded as any activity of a person. (Soriano, 2003)
In sociology, behavior is considered as having no
meaning, being not directed at other people and thus is
the most basic human action. Behavior should not be
mistaken with social behavior, which is more advanced
action, as social behavior is behavior specifically directed
at other people. The acceptability of behavior is
evaluated relative to social norms and regulated by
various means of social control.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_behavior)
Classification of Human Behavior (Bautista & Guevara,
2008)

1. Habitual – refers to demeanors which are resorted to in a

regular basis. Example, brushing our teeth every after meals.

2. Instinctive – are human conduct which is unlearned and

inherent, said to be present at birth of a person, and
significantly influenced by heredity. Ex. Eating when hungry

3. Symbolic – are human conduct in response to stimuli

undertaken by means of substitution. Example, handshake to
symbolize agreement or friendship.

4. Complex – refers to two or more habitual behavior which

occurs in one situation. Example, watching TV while eating.
Two Basic types of Human Behavior. (Soriano,
2003)

1. Inherited Behavior – product of instinct

and genetics. Considerations for inherited
behavior includes physical traits and
mental traits.

2. Learned (Operant) Behavior –

considerations are environment, training
and efforts of the will.

Factors Affecting Human Behavior.

2. Heredity. Determined by genes.

2. Environment
3. Learning. Result of practice and
experience.
Attributes of Human Behavior (Bautista & Guevara, 2008)

1. Duration – aspect of human behavior in terms of function

of time, how long or brief the interval maybe.

2. Extensity – traits of human behavior which centers on

size, distance, location (spatial characteristics)

3. Intensity – features of human behavior which focuses in

terms of magnitude, mild, strong, (disintegrative)

4. Quantity – refers to the aspect of human behavior dealing

with the normal and abnormal traits.