This document discusses several key concepts related to human behavior, including: 1) Human behavior is complex and not always obvious or easily explained, requiring analysis and study to understand. 2) The study of human behavior is as important or more important than the study of physical things, as many problems stem from human interactions rather than physical causes. 3) Human behavior is influenced by individual characteristics, culture, environment, learning, and is different for each unique person. Predicting behavior is difficult as people's needs and values differ.

1. FUNDAMENTALS OF
HUMAN BEHAVIOR

2. Anything that is commonplace and
obvious, like human behavior is usually
taken for granted. Presumably, it does
not have to go through a discerning
eye; it does not need analysis nor
extensive study. However, this
assumption may be far from being
tenable and true.

3. Hersey and Blanchard aptly said, “Many of
our most critical problems are not in the
world of things, but in the world of people.
The study of human behavior, therefore, is
just important, if not more important, than
the study of things. Indeed, there is no other
subject more interesting and challenging
than people.

4.  A story is told of an executive who had to drive some
distance to his head office for a conference with his
president. On his way, his car tires went off in a place
near a mental hospital. He had difficulty putting them
back to be in time for his appointment when along
came a man, apparently a patient who was trying to
escape from the institution. The latter offered to help
and presto! The tires were in place in such a short
time much to the amusement and pleasure of the
business executive who uttered, “Hey, man you’re a
wizard. But why are you in this mental hospital?” The
man replied with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, “I
may be crazy but I am not stupid as you are!”

5. What personal characteristics does each of the
two actors in the story possess which have
affected their behavior?
Can we compare the behavior of the executive
and that of the mental patient?

6. It was observed with concern by a small group
of employees of a marketing firm that Rita was
not eating her lunch for the fourth day with
them. Her individual behavior amazed them
since she usually led the group to come
together, start the meal and recount the
“stories” of the day.
What made Rita change her behavior? How did
this affect the group? How would she react if
the group asked her the reason for her acting
differently?

7. The polarization of the workers in the
Operations department of a government
corporation became more evident when a
discussion of performance appraisal took
place. Three groups emerged as gleaned from
the heated debate. One group sided with the
department manager, another was hostile and
tried to impede the flow of discussion citing
the impropriety of his decisions. The silence of
a third group was deafening.

8. What incidents and events led to the
polarization of the work force of the
Operations department that used to be
cohesive and united? What can the
department manager and general manager do
to resolve the problem of divisiveness?

9. Each of the case incidents mentioned reflects
some very interesting yet hard to explain
facets of human behavior. Could these facets
be identified and studied? How can they be
analyzed? What assumptions can be taken
when explaining them? How do we know that
our suggested solution to the problem is the
right one? These and many other questions
beset us when facing human behavior
problems.

10. NATURE AND SCOPE OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR
any act of an individual which is considered
human behavior is a reflection of his
thoughts, feelings, emotions, sentiments
whether conscious or not.
It mirrors his needs, values, motivation,
aspirations, conflicts and state of life.
Behavior, therefore, consists of all human
activities.

11. Human behavior occurs anywhere and
everywhere – at home, in school, in the work
setting, in church, in a social club, in a
professional organization.
The principles and concepts that underlie
behavior are basic. It is their implementation
and practice that differ from group to group or
from one country to another.

12.  The culture laden behavior is best illustrated in the following
incident:
One afternoon in a memorial park, a group of Chinese placed food
on top of the tomb of their dead while the Americans who were
wondering why the Chinese used food sent a representative to the
Chinese group to inquire, “When are your dead coming up to eat
your food?” A quick Chinese retorted, “At the very same time your
dead will come up to smell your flowers!”
*Reverence for the dead is universal. It is how each culture
manifests it that spells the difference.

13. SOME KEY BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE ASSUMPTIONS,
CONCEPTS,AND PRINCIPLES
 Human behavior which is called human act is
different from act of man.
 Human act – when man performs an act with free
will he does a human act. He is responsible for
such act which is performed with alternatives to
choose from.
 Act of man – is performed by one who is forced to
do so at the risk of his own life if he does
otherwise. He does not have alternative to choose
from. He is not given the opportunity to use his
free will, thus, he is not responsible for this act.

14. ASSUMPTIONS
 Every person is significantly different from the
moment of conception.
 Every person is a constantly active, goal-seeking
organism.
 Every person is dynamic.
 The characteristics of an organization influence the
behavior of the entire organization, and to a great
extent, the behavior of the individuals within it as
well.

15.  Behavior cannot be predicted with 100% accuracy
since it arises from the varying needs and value
systems of many different people.
 There are no simple cookbook formulas for working
with people.

16. CONCEPTS
CONCEPTS
Almost all behavior is learned.
Human beings adapt.

17. PRINCIPLES:
 Thorndike’s law of effect works and is powerful.
 Stimuli are those forces which impact the sensory
organs of our 5 sensory input channels.
 Behavior is caused but its causality is uncertain and
usually multiple.
 Classical conditioning is a powerful technique for
altering the behavior of others.
 There are no 2 individuals who are alike in all
dimensions.