The essence, significance and categories of behavioural characteristics

Behavioural characteristics are observable human actions that describe the totality of a person’s actions, reactions and mannerisms in response to internal or external stimuli. They can be observed in everyday life, communication, professional activities and extreme situations. Behavioural characteristics can be used to judge a person’s personality traits, level of social adaptation, and values. Therefore, this field is studied not only by psychology (primarily behaviourism), but also by pedagogy and sociology.Behavioral characteristics are well described by some of our most famous symbols and signs.

Key aspects of behavioural characteristics

The first aspect that is important to study is reactivity. It shows how a person reacts to different stimuli. Some people remain calm, while others show less restraint and act impulsively. Other aspects of behavioural characteristics include:

• behavioural stability;
• awareness of actions.

Behavioural stability reflects whether a person acts consistently in similar situations. This indicator may vary depending on the individual’s emotional state, personality characteristics, level of self-control, and other factors.

Behavioural awareness shows whether a person acts automatically or after analysing the situation. In the first case, they are guided by their emotions and habits, in the second — by reason.

An additional aspect is the social orientation of behaviour. It demonstrates the extent to which a person is oriented towards compliance with social norms and interaction with others.

Main categories of behavioural characteristics

Science distinguishes three categories to which behavioural characteristics can be attributed.

1. Social. These show how a person communicates with others and adapts to a group. They can be used to understand whether an individual is able to cooperate, show empathy, and act constructively in conflict situations.
2. Emotional and behavioural. These demonstrate how a person experiences their own emotions. They also help to determine whether the subject has a tendency towards aggression and anxiety.
3. Volitional. These include the ability to follow through, self-discipline, responsibility, and persistence.

Behavioural strategies are classified as a separate category. They are used to describe what behaviour is typical for a person: avoiding problems, seeking compromises, actively overcoming difficulties, cooperation, or competition.

What influences behavioural characteristics?

Initially, it was believed that behavioural characteristics were largely shaped by the innate characteristics of the nervous system. In this case, a key role was attributed to temperament, as it determines the level of activity and emotionality of a particular person.

However, behavioural scientists led by John Watson and B.F. Skinner determined that behaviour is formed according to the ‘stimulus-response’ model. They believed that under the influence of the social environment, a person learns to perform actions that are considered good.

It is important that models of encouraged behaviour are learned from childhood. They are formed under the influence of family, school and cultural community.

In addition, behavioural characteristics are influenced by the level of education and life experience. Accumulated knowledge changes the ways of responding to different situations and forces a person to make specific decisions. A person’s behaviour also changes under the influence of temporary factors: fatigue, stress, health, and so on.

How are behavioural characteristics assessed?

Behavioural characteristics can be assessed using several methods. These include:

• observation;
• testing;
• assessment centres (simulation of work situations);
• interviews;
• surveys.

By analysing the results, specialists learn how a person behaves in specific situations and makes decisions. The responses of the test subjects are evaluated using scales and behavioural indicators. Sometimes a person analyses their own protocols. In this case, we are talking about self-assessment.

Behavioural characteristics are often studied using the ‘360/180 degree’ system. This method assumes that a person is evaluated by those around them (colleagues, subordinates, managers). To do this, they observe how the test subject behaves in different situations.

When it comes to testing, the most common options for assessing behavioural characteristics are:

• the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI);
• the Kettell questionnaire;
• the Luscher colour test.

When assessing, specialists focus on behavioural indicators. These are specific examples that show how a person reacts to certain situations (for example, enters into conflict, remains calm, remains indifferent, and so on).