Human behavior is the range of potential and expressed actions and reactions of human individuals or groups in response to internal and external stimuli throughout life. It encompasses mental, physical, and social activities influenced by genetic, environmental, psychological, and sociocultural factors
. Key aspects of human behavior include:
- Biological factors: Genetics, brain chemistry, and physiology shape predispositions and influence emotions and reactions. For example, neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine affect mood and motivation, while hormones such as oxytocin influence social bonding
- Psychological factors: Cognitive processes (like perception, memory, reasoning) and emotions drive behavior. Humans use advanced reasoning, learning, and memory, and emotions range from basic (joy, anger) to complex (guilt, pride), shaped by culture and experience
- Social behavior: Humans interact through communication, cooperation, and social norms, which regulate acceptable behavior. Social behavior is influenced by culture, ethics, relationships, politics, and conflict, and relies heavily on language and nonverbal cues
- Cognitive behavior: Involves acquiring and using knowledge, learning from others, and developing habits through practice. The brain’s neuroplasticity enables adaptation and skill development over time
- Other domains: Human behavior also includes physiological actions to maintain health, economic activities related to work and resource use, and ecological interactions with the environment
Human behavior can be categorized as innate or learned and ranges from voluntary to involuntary, conscious to unconscious, and overt to covert actions
. It is a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences that shape how individuals perceive, think, feel, and act in various situations
. In summary, human behavior is the complex, multifaceted set of actions and reactions driven by an interplay of genetic, mental, emotional, social, and environmental factors throughout life
