Behavior is our clearest form of interaction with our environment. It is observable and specific, which is why psychologists in the early 19s committed to studying behavior exclusively, disregarding what was behind the mask of skin on our bodies.
A behavior speaks, reacts, and interacts. It says a lot about us, but also impacts the way we view ourselves and the world.
First largely developed and now slightly underestimated, here is what we know about this aspect of our psyches.
What it is
Behavior is, by definition:
- Observable: you can see it
- Measurable: you can measure it
- Specific: You can close your eyes and imagine it
Early behaviorism allowed us to define the basic rules of behavior, showing that behavior is far from being random.
According to behaviorism, a behavior that increases is reinforced by its immediate environment.
Let’s say for example that you try to modify the behavior of your child by correcting it with a loud repressive intonation.
If your offspring continues to behave even more unpleasantly despite your interventions, you are probably reinforcing his behavior without knowing it. Your offspring could, for example, be looking for your attention and getting it by these repetitive interventions.
Understanding the function of behavior allows you to modify it accordingly. Could you, for example, try and give your child the attention he needs when he properly behaves? By doing so, and removing your attention from the ill-suited behavior, your child could learn a more proper way to interact.
We could also try identifying key moments when the ill-adapted behavior occurs: is it when you are particularly busy, or overwhelmed? Would there be a way to prevent this by -maybe by modifying your behavior or his immediate environment?
In optimal laboratory settings, a couple of weeks would be necessary to determine wether or not our approach was correct and whether or not it needs modifications: learning mechanisms require both time and coherence.
We only judge what we cannot understand.
We only judge what we cannot understand.
Behavioral rules were later developed and completed by other disciplines such system psychology, social psychology or even marketing and consumer-psychology.
That being said, it can be very tempting to use our own framework in judging what we see. It might however prove more useful to remember that there is a logic behind every behavior, even though it might not be instantly accessible – a notion that Milgram’s experiment was able to show during Nuremberg’s trial.
What it isn’t
Behavior is not completely independent from thoughts and emotions, and it isn’t entirely controllable.
You can certainly fake certain emotions or beliefs, put on a poker face, but you will never completely control your blind self – a part of you that you can’t perceive and is only visible to others.
Interestingly, the influence of our behavior on our thoughts is even bigger than the influence of our thoughts on behavior. You can be convinced that a cat is not dangerous, and yet be afraid of them – but confront a cat for a day and you will end up believing they aren’t so!
It is for this main reason that behavior is a tremendous asset in cognitive-behavioral therapy.
What it could be
A behavior could very well be problematic. It is a very visible symptom; notably in temper tantrums, substance-induced behavior, or advanced major depressive disorders
As such, behavior can somewhat be seen as a universal sign for pain or dysfunction – one we also share with other animals. Some mammals can, for example, exhibit over-grooming, self-mutilation and abnormal stereotypical behavior in times of distress.
What it should be
Keeping all this information in mind, it can be useful to start viewing behavior as a mindful, adaptable path between yourself and the world.
Mindful
For too long now, societies have disconnected the physical from the mental. Reclaiming the gap between the physical and the mental seems like an important first step to reconnect with that precious asset.
Adaptable, Transformative and Informative
What is your behavior telling you? Is it confirming your beliefs that you are not enough, or that you cannot do better? Or is it challenging them. Pushing your body (and mind) out of its comfort zone can be an incredible way to challenge and transform you dysfunctional beliefs and put them through the test of reality. You will only know you can do it once you’ve done it!
Likewise, behavior can inform you about your unspoken boundaries, or the mental state of others.
Expressive and Communicative
Through behavior, you can blow off some steam in the gym, and show your sincerest apology to your loved ones. Behavior doesn’t have to speak to be listened and understood.
So let us all start paying attention!!
