Elements that Influence Individual Behavior

Some elements that influence behavior are within a person's control, while other elements result from genetics. Long debated arguments about nature versus nurture continue but it appears that behavior results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While biology determines whether someone has genetic predispositions for particular behaviors or personality traits, social and environmental factors increase or decrease the likelihood of these behaviors occurring.

Environment

• The environment impacts behaviors in several ways. Stress and major life changes, such as moving or a death in the family, impacts behaviors. A person's friends help develop the social norms and attitudes about acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. People residing in institutions often behave differently after they become institutionalized. Craig Haney's article, "The Psychological Impact of Incarceration," reports that prison inmates experience psychological and behavioral changes as a result of living in an institutionalized environment.

Genetics

• People are born with genetic predispositions for mental illnesses or physical health issues that influence behaviors. For example, schizophrenia, a mental illness that causes hallucinations and delusions, may be inherited genetically. Personality traits, such as impulsivity, also have genetic components. Predispositions for substance abuse have genetic factors. Genetics also play a role in intelligence. A study published by the University of North Carolina reports genetics play a role in whether or not people participate in violent crimes.

Positive Consequences

• The positive consequences that directly follow a behavior increase the likelihood of that behavior continuing in frequency. For example, people who collect a paycheck for their work are likely to continue working. Receiving an extra privilege for cleaning his room may motivate a child to clean his room again. Attention provides a positive consequence that drives many behaviors to continue. For example, a child who whines and complains until her parents engage in an argument receives reinforcing attention for this behavior.

Negative Consequences

• Negative consequences decrease the likelihood of a behavior continuing. Most people try not to speed because they do not want to receive a traffic ticket. A child completes his homework because he does not want to lose his recess privilege. A child who touches a hot stove refrains from touching it again after learning that it results in pain. Unpleasant consequences deter behaviors from being repeated.