During the course, you will learn more about how - Behavioural Characteristics Evolve through Life
Although a person’s behaviour is largely influenced by their environment, there are certain characteristics that are predetermined by the person’s biological make up. Some of these characteristics are common to all people (to all human beings) while others may be specific to different people. For instance, all normal infants have a startle reflex, and all tend to be fearful of heights. Some children, however, seem to startle more easily because their neurons fire more anxiety messages. If a person’s nervous system is damaged, it might be impossible for them to name another person even though that other person is familiar to them. These are matters investigated by neurobiological psychology, which is concerned with the relationship between the person’s biology and nervous system and their psychological make up and behaviours.
The nervous system is not completely developed upon birth, but continues to develop as the body matures, and we become capable of more complex physical and psychological activities. Maturation is the process of growth development which enables a person to learn a new form of behaviour. Most maturation processes are complete in the human being before the age of twenty. The two periods which involve the most rapid maturational changes are the first five years of life, and puberty. In an infant, the cerebral cortex is incomplete, and the synapses that allow messages to pass from one nerve to another are not yet linked to the appropriate nerves. Also, the axons, which are crucial in the transmission of messages between nerves, lack the myelin sheath, an insulating sheath that allows for much more rapid transmission of messages.
Learning Counts Too
Even where a behaviour is genetically programmed, however, its expression (the form it takes and whether the behaviour is expressed) can be profoundly influenced by learning. Throughout life, our natural tendencies to behave in one way or another are changed, largely as a result of learning from our environment. For instance, though all normal infants express fear when confronted with a long fall, or the illusion of it, they can also learn to be less fearful, and eventually, to overcome this inherent fear.
Learning can be defined as a relatively permanent change in behaviour as the result of practice or environmental influence. It can and does occur in many ways, often as a result of our experience rather than as an intentional activity. In fact, most of our learning occurs naturally, not within the context of a formal educational situation.
Modelling and Conformity
Perhaps the most basic form of learning is vicarious learning or modelling, which refers to learning by imitating the behaviour of others. Much of what a child learns is acquired by imitating the behaviour of a parent or significant other whom they love or admire. Children learn their social and gender roles through modelling, and will generally acquire their basic belief and value system through modelling and conformity (which is modelling behaviour on the behaviour of others in order to be accepted by them).
Conditioning
Most learning, including modelling, would not have far reaching effects unless it was influenced and encouraged by the environment and the people who surround us. Parents reward their children for behaviour of which they approve, and the child learns to associate a particular behaviour with positive stimuli. The learning that results is called conditioning.
What Are the Advantages of Studying Psychology with ACS Distance Education?
- You can start at any time to suit you.
- The courses are self-paced.
- You can study when and where suits you. They are flexible to fit in around you and your lifestyle.
- It is not just a course, it is a package of learning that includes – course notes, tutor feedback, self-assessment tests, research tasks and assignments.
- Our tutors are all experts in their field, with years of experience in psychology and counselling.
- They are also keen and enthusiastic about their subject and enjoy working with students to improve their knowledge and skills.
- Courses are also updated regularly to meet the demands of the changing needs for knowledge and to keep our courses up to date.
What Next?
Develop Your Understanding of Human Behaviour
As you progress through this course, your insight into human behaviour will continue to develop, and with an increased knowledge you should also develop an ever-increasing awareness and empathy in your dealings with other people in all areas of your life: personal and public; at work, home and play.
For some students, this course may lead on to a professional career or further study in the area of psychology, while for others, it may lead to working with people in any number of other situations.
A lot of people do study psychology, both with us, and with other universities and colleges; and while many might start out with the aim of becoming a psychologist or counsellor, often the course ends up taking them off on a tangent to some other career path. Few however, who study psychology, will find that what they learn does not help them -wherever they end up.
There are very few jobs that don't involve working with other people in some way or another; and the ability to understand human behaviour better will always enhance your capacity to work with others better.
Expand your knowledge of psychology, increase your job opportunities and improve your understanding of the human mind with this comprehensive course.
You can enrol today by clicking the “Enrol Now” button above.
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Click here to Contact a Psychology Tutor.
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