Human behavior is difficult to understand. Nevertheless, various theories attempt to describe human behavior, but differences still exist among the suppositions. The most notable theories of human behavior include the cognitive theory and family systems theory. The former is an approach to tries to justify human behavior by understanding a person’s cognitive or thought process. Additionally, the theory acknowledges several personal factors that affect the thought process, which includes attitudes, expectations, and knowledge. On the other hand, the family systems theory is an approach to psychology that acknowledges that an interplay of several variables in addition to the family system influence human behavior. The theory proposes that it is difficult to understand individuals when they are in isolation. The logical way to understand individuals is to classify them with their families and attempt to understand their pattern of behavior from there.
Cognitive-behavioral Theory
Origins of the approach
Albert Ellis and Aaron T. Beck are the most notable scholars who contributed to the development of the Cognitive Behavior Theory. Beck was among the pioneer researchers who provided a concrete explanation about the positive co-relation between cognition and psychopathology. Beck is a psychiatrist whose contribution to psychology is immeasurable. He went to Brown University in 1942. He has continued to contribute to the field. In his earlier works, the psychiatrist opposed the concept that suggests mental health conditions are influenced by the effects patients undergo. According to Rosner (2014), Beck started his career as a psychoanalyst and also worked as an experimentalist. He went on to have an illustrious career receiving several rewards in the medical field such as the Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research (Rosner 2014).
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The Cognitive-behavioral theory was first utilized as a basic theory of several other hypotheses that later developed from empirical studies. Although there was no precise definition of the theory, the supposition acknowledged the role cognitions played in influencing human behavior. Aaron T. Beck held the opinion that human behavior was dependent on individuals acquired knowledge through the thought process and experiences. In the 1960s, he proposed that thoughts influence moods and attitudes which directly determine behavior. The research put his supposition in the context of patients and claimed that if patients are taught how to evaluate and change their thinking, their moods and behavior will improve. Other researchers who participated in the development of the theory include Jean Piaget.
Social and Behavioral Foundation
The theory primarily focuses on cognitions as the origin of human behavior. Individual behavior comes because of the interplay of mental actions. People undergo experiences on a daily basis. They process the information into thoughts which influences how they respond to the experiences. In addition, Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an intervention mechanism for behavior modification. However, Beck suggested that a behavior assessment must be done before an intervention is made.
Summary
The Cognitive-behavioral theory acknowledges that mental processes determine human behavior. According to Aaron Beck, mental processes positively influence human behavior. Individuals process information and experiences differently. Besides, they have different levels of reaction. It is how they respond frequently to experiences that determine their behavior. However, cognitive-behavior therapy can be used as an intervention for undesirable human behavior but it should only be done after an assessment has been conducted.
Family Systems Theory
Origins of the approach
Murray Bowen developed the family system theory, also known as Bowen’s family systems theory, in 1978. According to Brown, (1999), the theory received much focus in Australia and New Zealand more than any other places globally. A background check reveals that the theorist was born in 1913. He graduated from the University of Tennessee and later worked as a psychiatrist just like Beck. In the 1940s, he began to concentrate on research while working at the Menninger Clinic. He began to examine the role of families in shaping individuals behavior. Hence, Bowen began to include family members in research. In 1966, the theorist wrote an article explaining his theory (Brown, 1999). He examined the family structure and used his intervention approach to a small emotional crisis involving his family. The intervention approach was successful. Bowen would later promote the theory in presentations across in the county using the examples of his family members.
Social and Behavioral Foundation
Bowen’s primary focus was on existing traits among families that influenced individual behavior development. The theorist used anxiety as a causal variable in his investigation. Bowen revealed that the primary cause of anxiety among families was the feeling of closeness or separation among family members. Consequently, the level of anxiety among the family members directly influenced the degree of external stress and behavior among other factors that could be passed from one generation to another. Bowen suggested that if family members were unable to control the anxiety levels that arose from their relationship, there was a high possibility that individual’s behavior would be shaped depending on the relationships they had with one another (Brown, 1999). On the other hand, Bowen suggests that attention to family patterns is an intervention approach that is applied to ensure undesirable behaviors are not passed from one generation to another.
Summary
The family system theory is a concept that attempts to explain human behavior by acknowledging the roles family relationships play. According to Bowen’s theory, family relationships significantly influence behavior. In families where the ties are strong, members are likely to emulate positive character traits that influence their personality. On the flipside, in families where there is constant tension, members portray high levels of anxiety. However, paying attention to family patterns can be used as an intervention approach to control the undesirable behavior from being passed from one generation to another.
Conclusion
Research into the origin of human behavior has been ongoing for centuries. Various theories have attempted to explain human behavior, yet an agreement has never been made which theory best describes human behavior. The cognitive theory and the family systems theory are among those that have tried to justify human behavior. Aaron Beck is credited with developing human behavior by arguing that behavior is a product of cognitive processes. On the other hand, Murray Bowen's acknowledges that people are social beings who develop behavior from individuals they interact with on a daily basis such as family members.
References
Brown, J. (1999). Bowen family systems theory and practice: Illustration and critique. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 20(2), 94-103.
Rosner, R. I. (2014). The “splendid isolation” of Aaron T. Beck. Isis, 105(4), 734-758.
