Behavioural science takes influence and insight from different academic areas to understand human behaviour and how we react the way we do. One of the benefits of studying Behavioural Science is becoming good at interpersonal communication, judging by the person or sensing the room. To know all about Behavioural Science, it is important to start with the definition and expand on its characteristics, theory, principles, and implementation.
All About Behavioural Science
As a field deeply rooted in science, Behavioural Science is believed to be experimental in nature. It combines a wide range of subjects from sociology, psychology, biology, economics, geography, law, politics, cultural anthropology, etc. There are different types of courses that either offer a certification or a degree, which are essential for jobs. The following are some factors that affect Human Behaviour in general.
- Psychological influences are often the strongest forces behind human behaviour. Having a purpose or goal, for instance, gives you the motivation and determination to work toward it.
- Behavioural influences come from a person’s own values, ethics, and beliefs. These shape how someone responds in different situations and can even help them manage or control their impulses.
- Human behaviour is also shaped by biological factors such as age, sex, genetics, and upbringing. These elements often explain personality traits shared within a demographic or among family members.
- Lastly, societal influences play a major role. We often adjust our behaviour depending on the social group or setting we are in, choosing what feels most appropriate for each situation.
Originally introduced in the 1950s and once used interchangeably with social science, Behavioural Science has since evolved into a broad, interdisciplinary field. Today, it draws on insights from psychology, sociology, economics, neuroscience and more. The factors below will help you better understand how Behavioural Science functions in practice.
|
Type of Influence |
Description |
Example |
| Psychological | Drives behaviour through internal goals, values, ethics, and beliefs. | Determination to achieve a goal. |
| Biological | Explains behaviour based on age, sex, genetics, or family traits. | Shared personality traits in family members. |
| Societal | Behaviour adapts based on social surroundings and norms. | Changing attitude based on social group. |
| Historical Background | The term emerged around the 1950s, initially linked with social science. | Behavioural science has since expanded to include diverse academic inputs. |
What Does the Coursework for Behavioural Science Studies Include?
The academic field of Behavioural Science deals with human behaviour, interactions and reactions and how these factors change under different circumstances. As a field influenced by diverse disciplines, you will adopt the principles and the subsequent skill set that comes with the subject. For example, Behavioural Science includes certain parts of Psychology and Sociology, and as a result, learners will gain intellectual knowledge about the two fields and also inherit the communicational and analytical skills required in each field, respectively.
Uses of Behavioural Science in Different Sectors
Much like its diverse coursework, Behavioural Science is used in various fields. Here are a few different uses of Behavioural Science.
- The use of Behavioural Science in the Marketing field is increasing at an unprecedented rate, helping organisations and business ventures influence visitors and persuade them to become customers based on the study of customer behaviour.
- In the Educational field, knowledge of Behavioural Science helps teachers manage all operations, such as easily bonding with students, recognising their strengths and weaknesses, motivating them to pursue subjects of interest, and shaping the curriculum as per student requirements.
- Behavioural Science is only a part of Psychology, and hence, it is used in the academic and professional field for evaluating the human psyche and the behaviour of patients.
- Economics is also a field that gains much insight from Behavioural Science. The term Behavioural Economics is all about consumer decision making and applying theories to identify the emotional or other causes for consumers to make a purchase.
- In Linguistics, Behavioural Science is used for the purpose of understanding cognitive and neuropsychological processes that are primary in the acquisition of language. It helps in understanding interactions, especially how learners tend to learn any language.
Behavioural Science is primarily concerned with changing the behaviour of humans in different interactions with different people or under different circumstances. The dynamics of social interactions reveal more about how we tend to behave when put in any situation, and the subject allows us to understand these interactions through theories and evidence.
|
Sector |
Application of Behavioural Science |
| Marketing | Understands consumer decision-making and optimises conversion strategies based on behavioural patterns. |
| Education | Helps teachers understand student behaviour, customise curriculum, and improve learning outcomes. |
| Psychology | Assists in analysing patient behaviour, mental health issues, and treatment planning. |
| Economics | Known as Behavioural Economics, it explains consumer choices through emotional and psychological analysis. |
| Linguistics | Studies how people acquire and use language through cognitive and neuropsychological processes. |
| Social Dynamics | Evaluates how people behave in group interactions and adapts strategies to foster positive behavioural changes in varied environments. |
What is the Educational Qualification Required for a Career in Behavioural Science?
If you want to become a Behavioural Scientist, you must acquire a degree in Behavioural Science. However, as a diverse subject with an interdisciplinary curriculum, the degree enables you to build a career in other fields and sectors. Nevertheless, Behavioural Science is an advanced course with two emphases: neural-decision sciences and social-communication sciences, each including multiple specialisations.
Neural-decision sciences include Cognitive Theory, Social Neuroscience, Psychobiology, Social Psychology, and Management Science. On the other hand, Social-communication sciences include Anthropology, Behavioural Science, Organisational Behaviour, Organisational Ecology, and Social Networks.
In either case, to study Behavioural Science, you will need at least an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree in one of the related areas. Such as Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Biology, Law, Cultural Sociology, etc. You can choose any of the areas of specialisation at the post-graduate level.
Scope of Behavioural Science Degree
There will be no shortage of career options if you study Behavioural Science. First of all, the knowledge you gain from the course alone is enough to give you a head start. Secondly, the skill sets you develop during the programme are transferable, enabling career avenues that you can imagine. A slight glimpse of the scope of Behavioural Science has been listed below.
- Behavioural Scientist
- Director of Social Services
- Behavioural Data Analyst
- Behavioural Health Manager
- Probation Officer
- Consumer Behaviour Analyst
- Human Resource Specialist
- Market Research Analyst
- Clinical Psychologist
- Substance Abuse Counsellor
If you want to learn all about Behavioural Science, start at the elementary level and advance gradually. The subject includes versatile topics that offer a unique look into human behaviour. It also helps to understand how human behaviour changes under influence.
