Human Behavior and Crisis Management

by

RYAN TIMBAL, MS Justice, SMRICrim

Registered Criminologist

Human behavior is anything an individual does that involves self-initiated action and/or reaction
to a given situation. It is an attitude that a person adopts in order to fit the society’s idea of right or
wrong.

It can be also defined as the sum total of man's reaction to his environment or the way human
beings act.

It is a voluntary or involuntary attitude of a person in order to fit the society’s idea of right or
wrong, partly determined by heredity and environment, and modified through learning.

It is the way also how human beings act. Many people use the word behavior to mean conduct.
But in psychology and other behavioral science, behavior is regarded as any activity of a person.

Human beings are intelligent social animals with the mental capacity to comprehend, infer and
think in rational ways.

Views in Human Behavior

1. Neurological View – deals with human actions in relation to events taking place inside the body
such as the brain and the nervous system.
2. Behavioral View – emphasizes on external functions of the human being that can be observed
and measured.
3. Cognitive View – it is concerned with the way the brain processes and transforms information
into various ways.
4. Psychoanalytical View – emphasizes unconscious motives that originate from aggressive
impulses in childhood.
5. Humanistic View –focuses on the subject’s experience, freedom of choice and motivation
toward self-actualization.

There are two basic types of behavior, namely; Inherited and Learned.

Normal human beings, exhibit both types of behavior simultaneously and are able to integrate
them into a fairly stable person that they are.

Two Basic Types of Behavior

• Inherited (Inborn) behavior– refers to any behavioral reactions or reflexes exhibited by people
because of their inherited capabilities or the process of natural selection. These behaviors are
modified through adaptation as the environment acts on the individual. Most scientists believed
that both physical and mental traits can be inherited by children from their parents.
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 • Learned (Operant) behavior– involves knowing or adaptation that enhances human beings’
ability to cope with changes in the environment in ways which improve the chances of survival.
The key to this behavior depends in its end results for the person and the environment. Learned
behavior may be acquired through environment or training.

Those normal human beings exhibit both types of behaviors simultaneously and are able to
integrate them into a fairly stable person.

Social relationships

• In SOCIAL SCIENCE, a social relation or social interaction is any relationship between two or
more individuals or group.

• Human beings – as social animals – live and work in groups.

GROUPS

• It is commonly defined as collection of individualswho derive satisfaction from interacting with

each other in some consistent and coordinated way as they strive to achieve a common goal or
objective.

• GROUPS are held together by various forms of social relationships.

• Social relations derived from individual agency, form the basis of social structure and the basic
object for analysis by social scientists.

• It exist when people reciprocal expectations about one another so that they act in a relatively
patterned ways

Groups, like the society in general, develop a distinctive way of life, or culture, that defies
appropriate ways of feeling, acting, and thinking.

Culture reflects the shared language, events, symbols, rituals, and values attached to a
particular group.

Culture embodies shared beliefs or how things work, and values that are internalized by
members of the group to produce behavioral norm. this must be LEARNED.

LEARNING

• It is a dynamic process which shows itself in changed behavior that is based on the prior
experience.

Classifications of Human Behavior

Human behavior is often classified as voluntary or involuntary. Speaking at a meeting appears

to be voluntary and breathing heavily after running seems to involuntary. But both types of behavior
may change with experience. Deciding to speak at a meeting may in fact be determined by a person’s
previous experience in speaking and keeping quiet at meetings. In addition, people may not breath
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heavily after running if they have learned how to increase their endurance. Thus, behavior might hard to
distinguish as voluntary or involuntary when examined closely.

Other Classifications of Human Behavior

Habitual – refers to motorized behavior usually manifested in language and emotion.

Instinctive – are generally unlearned and simply comes out of man’s instinct which can be seen among
instinct-instinct survival behaviors.

Symbolic – are behaviors that are usually carried out by means of unsaid words and shown through
symbols or body signs.

Complex – are those behaviors that combine two or more of the classified ones.

Causes of conflict on Human Behavior

1. Physical Conflicts

It refers to natural causes, like a typhoons, an earthquake, a fire, a flood, a storm.

2. Social Conflicts

Involve restrictions or rules in the home, in the school, in the community. Many laws are
intended for public welfare, but they interfere with the adolescent’s desires or interest.

3. Economic Conflicts

Result from one’s ability to have materials things because of poverty or other financial
obligations.

Basis of Human Behavior

A. Sensation – is the feeling or impression created by a given stimulus or cause that leads to a particular
reaction or behavior.

Human Senses

a. Visual – sight

b. Olfactory – smell

c. Cutaneous – touch

d. Auditory – hearing

e. Gustatory – taste

B. Perception – refers to the person’s knowledge of a given stimulus which largely help to determine the
actual behavioral response in a given situation

C. Awareness – refers to the psychological activity based on interpretation of past experiences with a
given stimulus or object.

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 Understanding The PROBLEMS of HUMANBEHAVIOR in Police Work

Generally, Personality is said to be a stable set of characteristics and tendencies that tend to
determine the similarities and differences in the psychological behavior such as; thought, feelings, and
action.

Three Types of Personality

a. Introvert – characterized by the direction of interest toward oneself, and one’s inner world
experiences.

b. Extrovert – characterized by interests toward the external environment of people and things
rather than toward inner experiences and oneself.

c. Ambivert- a mixture of between an extrovert and introvert. These type are generally outgoing
and sociable.

Attributes of Human Behavior

Duration – refers to the aspect of human behavior in terms of function of time, how long or brief the
interval maybe

Extent – traits of human behavior which centers on size, distance, location (spatial characteristics)

Intensity – features of human behavior which focuses in terms of magnitude, mild, strong,
(disintegrative)

Quantity – refers to the aspect of human behavior dealing with the normal and abnormal traits.

How people interact? People intermingle by three psychological positions or behavioral patterns
called ego states:

• Parent ego state – which may be characterized as protective, idealistic, evaluative, righteous,
refer to laws, rules and standards.

• Adult ego state – which centers more upon reason, factual, flexible, views as co-equal, worthy,
and reasonable human being.

• Child ego state – which may be easily described as dependent, rebellious, selfish, demanding,
impatient and emotional.

Factors that affect Human Behavior

1.Heredity – it is the passing of traits to offspring (from its parent or ancestors). This is the process by
which an offspring cell or organism acquires or becomes predisposed to the characteristics of its parent
cell or organism.

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2.Environment – refers to surroundings of an object. It consists of conditions and factors that surround
and influence behavioral pattern.

3.Learning – is the process by which an individual’s behavior changes as a result of experience or

practice.

Psychological Explanations of Human Behavior

1. The Mind and Its Relationship to Crime

Frequent comments are heard about the criminal mind, and the literature devoted to explaining
it is extensive. Before the development of more scientific theories on human behavior and mental
illness, one of the most popular explanations was demonology. Individuals were thought to be
possessed by good or evil spirit, which caused good or evil behavior.

2. Psychiatric Approach

The field of medicine that specializes in the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
of mental problems is psychiatry. Psychoanalysis is a branch of psychiatry, which employs a particular
personality theory and a specific treatment method, usually individual case study.

3. Personality Theory

Emotional conflict and personality deviation characterize many criminals, especially habitual
offenders, leading some theorists to conclude that these deviations cause human behavior to become
criminals. But the critical questions are whether these factors distinguish criminals from law-abiding
persons and, if so, whether the traits cause the illegal behavior.

4. Intelligence and Crime

Closely associated with the mental disorder approach is the linking of crime and intelligence. It
is argued that low intelligence causes crime. This approach has long historical roots. The relationship
between crime and intelligence is a “clear consistent link between criminality and low intelligence.” Low
intelligence and crime appear together, and low intelligence is the cause of crime.

5. Cognitive Development Theory

Another type of psychological theory that has been used to explain human behavior is cognitive
development. This approach is based on the belief that the ways in which people organize their
thoughts about rules and laws results in either criminal or non-criminal behavior. Psychologists refer to
this organization of thoughts as moral reasoning.

6. Behavior Theory

Behavior theory is the basis for behavior modification, one approach used in institutionalized
and non-institutionalized settings for changing behavior. The primary thesis is that all behavior is
learned and can be unlearned. The approach is concerned with observable behavior, underlying
personality problems that must be uncovered and treated.

7. Learning Theory

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 Learning theory, acknowledges that individuals have physiological mechanism that permit them
to behave aggressively, but whether or not they will do so, and the nature of their aggressive behavior,
are learned. Learning theory emphasizes that learning may be accomplished by using other people as
models; it is not necessary to engage in all the behavior that people learn.

Factors that Determine Human Behavior

1. Values System

Values represent the ideas and beliefs through which we define our personal goals, choose
personal courses of action and judge our own behavior with that of others.

Seven Psychosocial Existence Under Values System

1. Reactive – is the basic level of existence in the evolutionary chain. Reactive people are
childlike. They exist in the here and now and have no conception of cause or effect. They
are not aware of themselves or others as individuals. Their only real interest is in the
physiological aspects of work, such as pay, benefits, safety, working conditions, etc.
2. Tribalistic–is the first established "way of life." People at the tribal level are mainly
concerned with their own safety and the principal value is tradition. This type people have a
strong need for direction from the boss. They are impressed by the use of power and
authority in their place of work. Group values are considered to be binding. Violation of
group shared expectations gives strong negative sanctions.
3. Egocentric – egocentric people are inclined to be suspicious and disruptive at work. They are
often selfish, thoughtless, unscrupulous, and dishonest in dealing with others because they
have not learned to live within their means. Power is viewed as the inalienable right of those
who claimed it.
4. Conformist – conformist accept their position in life and inequity as a fact of life. They
subscribe to, loyalty, and achieving perfection for one's assigned role. They go by the book.
They have very low tolerance for those who doubt resist changes, and stays on status quo.
Conformists tend to judge themselves and others in terms of absolute moral law.
5. Manipulative –manipulators are wheeler-dealers who constantly strive to get ahead. They
are ambitious, practical, and utilitarian in their efforts to achieve recognition, status, and
material rewards. Manipulators see everything as a game. They are on the lookout for the
surest and best way to beat the system. They are goal-oriented moral entrepreneurs with a
desire to meet their own needs regardless of the cost to others within the organization.
6. Sociocentric–this type feels that getting along with others is more important than getting
ahead of them. Their value system center around interpersonal relationship, positive
human relations, empathetic supervision, and goal-oriented collaboration within the work
group.
7. Existential – people focus their attention on themselves as autonomous individuals. They
believe in meaningful work through job enrichment. They value spontaneity over
conventionality. Continuing growth and development is very important to them. They are
intolerant of closed systems, overly restrictive policy, and arbitrary use of authority. They
are quite viewed as trouble makers and may be forced out of work because they do not or
will not conform to culturally mandated expectations.

2. Perception
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 It is a mental screen or filter though which information must pass before it can be integrated in
human thought processes and behavior. It is an inherently complex psychosocial process by which
human beings attach meaning to those things they experience through the senses. It is defined then as,
the process by which people organize and interpret sensory input.

3. Motivation

The word motivation comes from the Latin word “moveers” which means to move. Motivation
is the energizing force that directs and controls our behavior towards the achievement of our goals. It
refers to those factors, which increase the vigor of an individuals’ activity. It energizes the person,
prompts and compels him to act / behave in a particular way so as to satisfy his needs.

Types of Motivation

1. Intrinsic motivation – refers to motivation that is driven by an interest or enjoyment in the

task itself, and exists within the individual rather than relying on any external pressure.
2. Extrinsic motivation – comes from outside of the individual. Common extrinsic motivations
are rewards like money and grades, coercion and threat of punishment.

Personality Traits that Affect Human Behavior

1. Extroversion – characterized by interests directed toward the external environment of people

and things rather than toward inner experiences and oneself. Extraverts tend to be gregarious,
assertive and interested in seeking out excitement.
2. Introversion – characterized by direction of interest toward oneself and one’s inner world of
experiences. Introverts, in contrast, tend to be more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable.
3. Ambiversion– is a balance of extrovert and introvert characteristics. An ambivert is normally
comfortable with groups and enjoys social interaction, but also relishes time alone and away
from the crowd.
4. Neuroticism – this is an enduring tendency to experience negative emotional states. Persons
high in neuroticism react intensely and are generally moody, touchy, depress, sensitive and
anxious or nervous. They respond more poorly to environmental stress, and are more likely to
interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly difficult.
5. Psychoticism – is characterized by cold cruelty, social insensitivity, disregard for danger,
troublesome behavior, dislike of others and an attraction towards unusual. A person high on
psychoticism tends to be impulsive, aggressive individual without appreciable concern for
others.

Frustration in Human Behavior

Frustrationrefers to the situation which blocks the individual’s motivated behavior.

Sustained frustration may be characterized by anxiety, irritability, fatigue or depression.

Three Basic Forms of Conflict

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 1. Approach-Avoidance Conflict - occurs when an individual moves closer to a seemingly desirable
object, only to have the potentially negative consequences of contacting that object push back
against the closing behavior.
2. Approach-Approach Conflict - This is a conflict resulting from the necessity of choosing between
two desirable alternatives. There are usually two desirable things wanted, but only one option
can be chosen.
3. Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict - This form of conflict involves two undesirable or unattractive
alternatives where a person has to decide of choosing one of the undesirable things.

Coping Mechanism

It is defined as the way people react to frustration. People differ in the way they react to
frustration. This could be attributed to individual differences and the way people prepared in the
developmental task they faced during the early stages of their life.

Frustration Tolerance

It is the ability to withstand frustration without developing inadequate modes of response such
as being emotionally depressed or irritated, becoming neurotic, or becoming aggressive.

Manifestation of Frustration

• Unrealistic Goals – it can be seen when a person’s level of aspiration is much higher than his
level of achievement.
• Harmful or Antisocial Goals – when a person’s desire or intention to reach his goal is
harmful to others.
• Conflicting Goals – when two or more goals of a person rebound to his personal interest
and the benefit of the goal is one sided.
• Environmental Difficulties – when goals cannot be simply attained due to so many
hindrances within a person.
Broad Reactions to Frustration

• Fight – is manifested by fighting the problem in a constructive and direct way by means of
breaking down the obstacles preventing the person reaching his goals.

• Flight – it can be manifested by sulking, retreating, becoming indifferent and giving up.

Different Types of Reaction to Frustration

A. Direct approach - can be seen among people who handle their problems in a very objective way.
They identify first the problem, look for the most practical and handy way to solve it, and
proceeded with the constructive manner of utilizing the solution which will produce the best
results.
B. Detour - when an individual realizes that in finding for the right solution of the problem, he
always end up with a negative outcome or result. Thus, he tries to make a detour or change
direction first and find out if the solution or remedy is there.

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 C. Substitution - most of time are resulted to in handling frustration when an original plan
intended to solve the problem did not produce the intended result, thus the most practical way
to face the problem, is to look for most possible or alternative means.
D. Withdrawal or retreat - is corresponding to running away from the problem or flight which to
some is the safest way.
E. Developing feeling of inferiority - comes when a person is unable to hold on to any solution
which gives a positive result. Being discourage to go on working for a way to handle a frustration
could result to diminishing self-confidence, until the time when inferiority complex sets in.
F. Aggression - is a negative outcome of a person's inability to handle frustration rightly.
Manifestation in physical behavior can be observed in one's negative attitudes towards life both
in the personal and professional aspect.
G. Use of Defense Mechanism – is the most tolerated way of handling frustration. It is a man’s last
result when a person attempts to overcome fear from an anticipated situation or event.
H. Defense Mechanism – is an unconscious psychological process that serves as safety valve that
provides relief from emotional conflict and anxiety.

Common Defense Mechanisms

1. Displacement - strong emotion, such as anger, is displaced onto another person or object as
the recipient of said emotion (anger), rather than being focused on the person or object
which originally was the cause of said emotion.
2. Rationalization - is the defense mechanism that enables individuals to justify their behavior
to themselves and others by making excuses or formulating fictitious, socially approved
arguments to convince themselves and others that their behavior is logical and acceptable
3. Compensation - is the psychological defense mechanism through which people attempt to
overcome the anxiety associated with feelings of inferiority and inadequacy in one is of
personality or body image, by concentrating on another area where they can excel.
4. Projection- manifest feelings and ideas which are unacceptable to the ego or the superego
and are projected onto others so that they seem to have these feelings or ideas, which free
the individual from the guilt and anxiety associated with them.
5. Reaction formation - is defined as the development of a trait or traits which are the
opposite of tendencies that we do not want to recognize. The person is motivated to act in a
certain way, but behaves in the opposite way. Consequently, he is able to keep his urges and
impulses under control.
6. Denial – when a person uses this, he refuses to recognize and deal with reality because of
strong inner needs.
7. Repression – is unconscious process whereby unacceptable urges or painful traumatic
experiences are completely prevented from entering consciousness.
8. Suppression - which is sometimes confused with that of repression, is a conscious activity by
which an individual attempts to forget emotionally disturbing thoughts and experiences by
pushing them out of his mind.
9. 9.Identification - an individual seeks to overcome his own feelings of inadequacy, loneliness,
or inferiority by taking on the characteristics of someone who is important to him.
An example is a child who identifies with his parents who are seen as models of
intelligence, strength and competence

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10. Substitution - through this defense mechanism, the individual seeks to overcome feelings of
frustration and anxiety by achieving alternate goals and gratifications.
11. Fantasy - this is resulted to whenever unfulfilled ambitions and unconscious drives do not
materialize.
12. Regression – a person reverts to a pattern of feeling, thinking or behavior which was
appropriate to an earlier stage of development.
13. Sublimation – is the process by which instinctual drives which consciously unacceptable are
diverted into personally and socially accepted channels. It is a positive and constructive
mechanism for defending against own unacceptable impulses and needs.

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