Psychology of Behaviour: Theories, Influences, and Applications

This report delves into the psychology of human behaviour, exploring various psychological perspectives such as behavioral and social psychology theories, and analyzing their application in understanding human actions, emotions, and behaviors. It examines the influence of groups, conformity, and obedience on individuals, as well as the consequences of prejudice and discrimination within public services. The report further investigates factors contributing to criminal activity, major theories of criminal behavior, and real-world applications of psychological principles in analyzing and addressing crime. Finally, it explores how psychological perspectives are practically applied by the public services to reduce criminal behavior and improve their functioning. The report emphasizes the relevance of psychological understanding and knowledge in public service contexts, including communication styles, social learning theory, and leadership approaches.

Psychology
of
Behaviour

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Describe a range of psychological perspectives and how they explain human behaviour....1
M1 Assess the similarities and differences between psychological perspectives in explaining
human behaviour.........................................................................................................................2
D1 Analyse why an understanding and knowledge of psychological perspectives and social
influence is relevant to the public services.................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Define the research into group influence, conformity and obedience and how human
behaviour is affected...................................................................................................................3
M2 Analyse the consequences of prejudice and discrimination within the public services.......4
D1 Analyse why an understanding and knowledge of psychological perspectives and social
influence is relevant to the public services.................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
P3 Outline the influences and factors which may contribute to criminal activity......................5
M3 Investigate the major theories of criminal behaviour...........................................................6
D2 Analyse a real-world crime, applying psychological theory and identifying the causal
factors, influences and contributory factors................................................................................6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Explain how psychological perspectives can be applied by individuals in the public
services........................................................................................................................................7
P5 Define how psychological perspectives can be applied to teams within the public services 8
M4 Assess how psychology is practically applied by the public services to reduce criminal
behaviour.....................................................................................................................................8
D3 Evaluate how psychological perspective is applied to the work of a range of public
services........................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Psychology refers to study of process which is use to analysis mind as well as behaviour
of a human being. By this process an individual can identify behaviour and bifurcate into
positive and negative behaviour. It can be done through analysing various factors of an
individual such as action, emotions, behaviour and through process. Behaviour of a human is
classified into four types such as optimistic, pessimistic, trusting and envious. Along with this
psychology is classified into three type i.e. social, behavioural and cognitive (Choi and et. al.,
2017). Topics include in this report are related to investigation of psychological perspective,
effects of social influences on behaviours. Along with this it include theories of criminal
behaviour and causal factors as well as it also include how psychological perspective are
applicable in public services.
TASK 1
P1 Describe a range of psychological perspectives and how they explain human behaviour
Psychological perspectives refers to process which involves analysis of assumptions or
perception of a person towards another one in order to analysis its behaviour and activities in
effective manner. In modern psychological, perspectives is divided into seven types i.e.
psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive, biological, cross culture, evolutionary and humanistic.
Along with this, behaviour of a human which can be properly evaluate by adopting various
psychological theories, some major of them are explain below:-
Behavioural Theory
It is developed by John B. Watson in year 1913. This theory is also known as
Behaviourism which is based on learning that behaviour of a person is acquired by condition
which he/ she is going through. Condition is occur when an individual interact with environment
or situation (Lasselin and et.al., 2016). Moreover, behaviour or psychology of a person's
behaviour influence its actions which they conduct in order to accomplish particular work in
effective and appropriate manner. According to School of thought, behaviour of a person must be
study in systematic as well as observable ways which describe about internal mental state of a
person.
Social Psychology Theory

This theory is introduce by Sheldon Stry in year 1980. By adopting this theory a person
can understand behaviour of society in effective and appropriate manner. The respective theory
is based on social phenomena that include various aspects of an individual behaviour such as
behaviour of group, pro- social behaviour, social influence, love, attraction and many more. By
understanding this an individual able to behave in appropriate manner in a society.
M1 Assess the similarities and differences between psychological perspectives in explaining
human behaviour
Similarity between Behavioural Theory and Social Psychology Theory
Social psychology theory and behaviour theory are of similar and it is a type of
experimental psychology. There theories are mainly focused on developing and expanding
theories so that it will help in conducting day to day activities in effective and appropriate
manner (Luthans, Youssef and Avolio, 2015). An individuals based on these theories are mainly
used or spend their time in conducting experiments as well as writing research paper. Along with
this both behavioural theory and social psychology theory are depend upon nature as well as
behaviour of a human being which are generally used to treat patients. Both type of psychologist
conduct experiment on both human being and animals. Human behaviour of an individual
according to this theory is that these peoples like to spend their time in conducting research work
which shows that these peoples are more decline towards theoretical work.
Difference between Behavioural Theory and Social Psychology Theory
Both behavioural theory and social psychology theory are different in some aspects such
as human behaviour of an individual adopting social psychological theory is appreciate learner is
behaving in effective manner in order to attain goal whereas behaviour of a person adopting
behaviour theory is based on response of a person according to behaviour of a human. That make
behaviour of both the person different. Along with this, a person adopting social psychological
theory behave on the basis of difference between acquisition and performance of a person
according to behaviours. Moreover, behaviour theory relation to the human behaviour based on
performance of a person in order to conduct work in effective and efficient manner.

TASK 2
P2 Define the research into group influence, conformity and obedience and how human
behaviour is affected
Behaviour of a human being get influenced or affected by various factors such as group,
conformity and obediences. That are explained below:-
Group Influence:-
Group refers to the set of two or more persons who have common goal, objective as well
as common psychology behaviour (Moore and Gino, 2015). Group get influenced in a particular
situation when a member of group get influenced by other persons or situation. There are various
factors which may influence the group, some major of them are mentioned below:-
 Social loafing: It refers to phenomenon in which an individual prefer to work in a group
instead of working alone because by it they able to accomplish work in effective and
efficient manner.
 De-individuation: It is a social psychology, according to which an individual loss its self
awareness in a particular group. By this an individual get demotivated that directly
influenced their working.
Conformity:-
It refers to situation when an individual get influenced by any other person. Along with
this it also change behaviour and belief of an individual. This can be done through various
reasons such as imaginary or real group pressures (Nelson And et.al., 2016). Along with this it
can also consider as peer pressure in which a person get influenced with others and due to which
they starting accordingly. For example now a days young college students convince to do many
things due to peer pressure and fear of getting tease if he/she will not do particular thing.
Obedience:-
It refers to situation when an individual follow instruction or order of an authority or
senior person in order to respect them in appropriate manner. Along with this sometime it can be
done due to influence of other i.e. peer pressure. It can be affected by various factors such as
observations, buffers, authority, personal responsibilities and many more.
By all these factors behaviour of a human get influenced because they have to reach or
behave accordingly so that work can be done in effective and appropriate manner.

M2 Analyse the consequences of prejudice and discrimination within the public services
In service sector it is essential that they must follow prejudice and discrimination in order
to maintain effective as well as positive environment at workplace. Discrimination refers to a
situation when an individual or group are treated badly due to some specific reason. That reason
can be based on various factors such as age, colour, gender, nationality, race, religions, criminal
report, height, disabilities, ethnicity and many more (Norton and et.al., 2017). Whereas prejudice
refers to a situation in which a person get attracted towards any individual or a group due to any
reasons such as gender, age, work, colour, social class, education, disabilities, nature and many
more. Both factors are caused due to when a person is attracted or connected towards another
one for good or bad reason, intentionally or unintentionally. That will affect working and
productivity of a person who is working a particular place. This is so because by it an employees
or individual get demotivated and disconnected towards a workplace.
D1 Analyse why an understanding and knowledge of psychological perspectives and social
influence is relevant to the public services
It is essential for an individual who is working in a public sector to have understanding
about psychological perspective and social influence which help them in conducting work in
effective and efficient manner. For this it is essential that analysis of communication style can be
conducted and it is of four type i.e. submissive, assertive, aggressive and passive (O'Brien And
et.al., 2016). Psychological perspective is refers to perception of a person towards other
individual or on a particular topic. Psychology of a person based on various forces which are
underlying on behaviour of human, felling and emotions. Along with this it is also related to
childhood experiences of a person (Ma and et.al., 2016). Whereas social influence is refers
situation when behaviour of a person get influenced by other things, it can be intentionally as
well as unintentionally.
There are major three areas of social influences i.e. conformity, compliance and
obediences. In public sector both things psychological and social influences are essential and
they have to focus on it so that they conduct work in effective and efficient manner. Public sector
include companies and industry which include interaction with public or society in effective and
appropriate manner. So it is essential for peoples working in public sector to have proper
knowledge of psychological perspective and social influence so that they able to serve society in
effective and appropriate manner. There are also various theories which can be adopted in order

to conduct work or task in appropriate and effective manner. Such as leading style, social
learning theory and leadership style and motivation. Explanation of one of the major theory is
given below:-
Social Learning Theory: It refers to process of learning and social behaviour which can
be helpful for a person in order to learn new things in effective manner. Along with this it can be
done or acquire through observation and imitating others or communicating others in for learning
new things in effective and appropriate manner. By this an individual able to learn new things
which help them in conducting work in proper manner.
TASK 3
P3 Outline the influences and factors which may contribute to criminal activity
There are various ways through which an individual can understand and analysis criminal
behaviour of another person. Along with this there are various factors which contribute towards
enhancement or growing of criminal behaviour, some major of them are mentioned below:-
Factors affecting Crime:
 Social climate environment: According to social factor is consider as aspect which
influence individual's criminal behaviour and encourage them to do something illegal or
wrong (Spanos, 2017). Due to criminal environment children or individual get
encouraged as well as sometime they also get forced to do wrongful activities.
For example:
Financial issues: It is one of the major factor which leads to criminal activities in a
society. Now a day need of money get increased and everyone wants to leave standard life for
which they required capital as well as due to which criminal behaviour of an individual get
increased.
Unemployment: Now a day unemployment rate increased along with this need and
requirement of an individual also get enhanced which leads to criminal behaviour in a human
mind. Moreover increased in unemployment there is increase in illegal activities and it is
conducted in order to fulfil need and requirement.
 Influences of criminal activity: An individual also get convinced through others in order
to conduct criminal activities. Some major reason are given below:

Peer pressure: It refers to situation when an individual get influenced by other in order
conduct some work, that can be based on negative activities or positive activities. It is occur
generally between same age group peoples and majorly among teenagers (Wertz and et.al.,
2018). Due to peer pressure many teen conduct some unpleasant or illegal activities due to which
they may face various issues in future while developing their career.
M3 Investigate the major theories of criminal behaviour
According to theory of psychological criminal behaviour of an individual is developed
due to various aspects and which encourage them them for conducting that activities in order to
satisfy their need. Along with this there are various theories which help in understanding and
identifying this behaviour of individual, some major theories are explain below:-
Cognitive theory: This theory is based on cognitive procedure which are adopted in order
to define behaviour and emotion of a person. This theory is also used in order to identify and
understand crime and delinquency which is conducted by an individual (Choi and et. al., 2017).
It include activities such as understanding and check activities of children at initial level at which
they can get convinced to do any activities because at this stage they didn't have must knowledge
what is right and what is wrong.
Social learning theory: According to this theory peoples conduct illegal activities
because they are engaged or get attached with those peoples who are engaged in criminal
activities at high level. It is done because peoples get encouraged and convinced to conduct work
when another person is done that particular thing for a long time duration. By this they get
encouraged to do criminal activities in order to earn money or any particular reason. So
according to this it must be responsibilities of government and legal bodies to develop laws and
rules regarding it as well as take some strict action on behalf of this in order to control criminal
activities.
D2 Analyse a real-world crime, applying psychological theory and identifying the causal factors,
influences and contributory factors
In today's time criminal activities and treats get increased and it is noticed that now every
time at news Chanel or show this is major topic. One of the main issue or problem which is face
or occur in today's time is sexual harassment or assault which is generally face by female. This
refers to a situation or activity in which any person is forcing someone for sexual activity which
is against his or her will or choice. It can be happen or take place in any age, gender, race,

location, time and many more (Lasselin and et.al., 2016). On the basis of biological theory of
criminal which explain about behaviour of a human and how they get encouraged to criminal
activities in order to satisfy its wants and need. Along with this respective theory also determine
behaviour of a human being from generation to generation. Such as according to article
published by BBC News written by Owen Amos, on 5th Oct 2017 Harvey Weinstein an
American film producers consider as suspect of sexual harassment. Along with this there are
other many rumours which are related to harassment or abuse on sexual basis such as case of
Savile which is occur many years back (Why so many sexual harassment cases in US, not UK?,
2019). All these activities are done in Hollywood entertainment industry but still these peoples
are working in these industry.
Causal factor: This refers to process which include those procedures which are generally
misused substances, include those peoples which are committed towards criminal activities (Ma
and et.al., 2016). In this those individuals are targeted which are having less power of
community such as peoples having disabilities, women, children, teens and many more. Here
misused substances refers to drugs and alcohol which are provided to victim by those who are
conducting or committed towards sexual harassment.
Contribution factor: Contribution factor refers to a negative aspect which impact on both
abuse and sexual victimization as well as that is consider as negative things in a society. Due to
which victim face various issues and problems at a society because peoples didn't look them in a
good way. They always get de morale and demotivated which leads to issue and problems at
their life. Along with this due to this reason victim also take step in order to finish their life.
TASK 4
P4 Explain how psychological perspectives can be applied by individuals in the public services
According to psychology there are various perspective which include various assumption
related to human behaviour. Such as function or activities, behaviour and analysis of things
within a person. There are various psychological perspective and theories which is applicable at
individual who are working at a public sector. Some major of them are like styles of
communication which can be used to communicate about any information or data in effective as
well as efficient manner. There are various style of communication which can be adopted by an
individual such as Aggressive communication, Assertive style, Passive style and Submissive

style (Luthans, Youssef and Avolio, 2015). Moreover an individual can also adopt various theory
in order to evaluate psychological perspective such as Maslow's hierarchy theory which is
consider as one of the major motivational theory which can adopted by employees. It include
various steps or stages i.e. Physiological needs, Safety needs, Love and belongingness needs,
Esteem needs and Self- actualization needs.
P5 Define how psychological perspectives can be applied to teams within the public services
Psychological perspective is consist of assumptions which is based on an individual
behaviour and activities, it include various factors related to team or group such as team role
which is majorly play by members of team in order to complete work in effective and efficient
manner. Along with this team help an individual in conducting work in more effective and
efficient manner because in group peoples have common goal and they do work accordingly in
order to attain objective and goal in proper manner (Moore and Gino, 2015). But to work in a
group member need to have communication skills so that they convey information and data in
proper and effective manner. Moreover there are various type of group in which an individual
can conduct work such as Support group, Educational groups and Self help groups. That are
evaluated below:- Support group: It refers to a group which support its team members so that they perform
its work or task in appropriate manner. Educational groups: It refers to those group which are consist of peoples who are highly
educated and use their knowledge as well as experience in conducting work in proper
manner.
 Self help groups: It refers to type of group which conduct their work in effective manner
by own. These peoples also develop their strategies by own.
M4 Assess how psychology is practically applied by the public services to reduce criminal
behaviour
Psychology refers to the field which conduct work in prison house, rehabilitation, police
departments, laws organization, government office, private activity and many more. These are
mainly conduct their lawful activities in order to reduce criminal activities form society or
country. Along with this government of a country need to develop and implement laws and
legislation which leads to reduction in crime and unethical activities in effective and appropriate
manner. For this they need to conduct analysis which help them in developing strategies and

polices in effective manner according to situation. Moreover this will also leads to reduce in
criminal activities from the society. For this government must develop some strict law and
punishment so that citizens have fear when they conduct any illegal or criminal activity. Along
with this it is also necessary for government to develop strict principles that every one need to
follow these regulation. If anyone will not follow it then they may face some serious punishment.
D3 Evaluate how psychological perspective is applied to the work of a range of public services
Public service psychology refers to mind set of peoples who are working in a public
sector. It will include science of psychology as well as principles which are based on safety of
citizens and judicial system (Nelson And et.al., 2016). It include various aspects related to
criminal justice system and issues related to it. Along with this in public sector understanding of
psychological perspective is necessary and essential because by it they able to conduct work as
well as treat customers in effective and efficient manner. This is so because in public sector
peoples has to communicate to peoples and it is necessary for them to make them understand in
effective and appropriate manner in order to conduct task in proper ways.
CONCLUSION
From above discussed point it can be conclude as well as analysis psychology of a person
describe about behaviour and belief of a person. Behaviour of an individual include various
aspects by which they can be judge or evaluate such as action, emotions and thoughts. By
conducting these factors in appropriate manner an individual able to reduce negative impact of
behaviour in society which leads to criminal activities. Along with this behaviour of an
individual get influenced by other person in various ways such as peer pressure and more. So by
adopting and developing team, behaviour and process they able to conduct work in effective and
efficient manner.

REFRENCES
Books and journals
Choi, K.W. and et. al., 2017. Applying network analysis to psychological comorbidity and health
behavior: Depression, PTSD, and sexual risk in sexual minority men with trauma
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Lasselin, J. and et.al., 2016. Mood disturbance during experimental endotoxemia: predictors of
state anxiety as a psychological component of sickness behavior. Brain, behavior, and
immunity. 57. pp.30-37.
Luthans, F., Youssef, C. M. and Avolio, B. J., 2015. Psychological capital and beyond. Oxford
University Press, USA.
Ma, J. and et.al., 2016. A systematic review of the predictions of the Interpersonal–Psychological
Theory of Suicidal Behavior. Clinical psychology review. 46. pp.34-45.
Moore, C. and Gino, F., 2015. Approach, ability, aftermath: A psychological process framework
of unethical behavior at work. The Academy of Management Annals. 9(1). pp.235-289.
Nelson, S. K. And et.al.,2016. Do unto others or treat yourself? The effects of prosocial and self-
focused behavior on psychological flourishing. Emotion. 16(6). p.850.
Norton, T. A. and et.al., 2017. Bridging the gap between green behavioral intentions and
employee green behavior: The role of green psychological climate. Journal of
Organizational Behavior. 38(7). pp.996-1015.
O'Brien, K.S. And et.al., 2016. The relationship between weight stigma and eating behavior is
explained by weight bias internalization and psychological distress. Appetite. 102.
pp.70-76.
Spanos, N. P., 2017. Hypnotic behavior: A cognitive, social psychological perspective.
Hypnosis: Theory, Research and Application, p.183.
Wertz, J. and et.al., 2018. Genetics and crime: Integrating new genomic discoveries into
psychological research about antisocial behavior. Psychological science. 29(5). pp.791-
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Online
10 Types of Psychological Theories. 2019. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-theory-2795970>.
Why so many sexual harassment cases in US, not UK?. 2019. [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42070575 >.