Behaviour is a choice. It is simply on how you choose to behave with people around you. You may be disciplined when it comes to your work, friendly when it comes to talking to other people or aggressive when it comes to stating your opinion. These are different kinds of behaviours that we all showcase over a period of time.
Behaviour can be defined as an individual's response or reaction to a certain situation or activity he/she might be a part of. In terms of how society defines behavior, it is the way a person presents himself/herself in any given situation.
Since everything can be categorised as appropriate or inappropriate … behaviour too can be understood in two ways - appropriate behaviour and inappropriate behaviour.
Imagine yourself as an observer in a classroom. The teacher is about to start the lesson and the door suddenly opens. Two students walk in. The first student apologizes for being tardy and states a valid reason that his car broke down and yet again apologizes and promises to make it on time for the next class. The teacher does not really mind and accepts the student’s apology. However the other student just walks into class and neither does he/she acknowledge the teacher and when called upon responds with ‘i don't care’. Without even giving it another thought you would categorise the first student’s behaviour under 'appropriate behaviour’ and the second child’s behaviour under ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
So let's understand why and how we categorise these behaviours. ‘Good’ or in this case ‘appropriate’ can be understood as something that is done with good intentions like a good salutation or good manners. ‘Bad’ or ‘inappropriate’ manners are generally associated with angry reactions or usage of abusive language.
Parents often tell their children to behave well when going out. What this means is that the parents expect their child to be respectful of those around him/her, not shout or throw tantrums and be kind to others. Many times parents even promise certain rewards such as extra ice-cream or extra television time if the child displays good & appropriate behaviour. This kind of parenting where the parents reward the child when he/she does something well, encourages the child to continue a certain positive behaviour.
As per a research paper published by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam College of Physiotherapy, a child who may have displayed certain negative behaviours like getting angry at parents if he/she doesn’t get the toy they want can lead to a lot of behavioural challenges when the child grows up. He/she would want things to go only their way, expect everyone’s world to revolve around them etc. However this kind of behaviour can be modified.
Let’s say, there is a child in the classroom who continuously disturbs the class by walking around or by talking to their classmates. When break time comes and other students go and play, that particular student is made to sit in the classroom. The child can then associate that with bad behaviour comes undesirable consequences. If the same child raises his/her hand to answer in class or does not disrupt the class even once, then the teacher must acknowledge that by maybe saying that she is proud of them or stick extra smiley stickers on their notebooks. This way the child associates good behaviour with positive reactions from others and strives to continue displaying that behaviour.
Shouting or getting irritated with a child when they display bad behaviour isn't the correct way. It may make them even more angry and in spite may continue the same behaviour.
Now let's look at behaviour in a much larger context. When you go out, to say a mall, one does expect other people to behave in a certain way. We automatically distance ourselves from people who may not be behaving properly (as according to our common judgement). For example you may see a person disrespecting the country or may be seen littering the roads. This goes without saying that you would form a judgement of that individual. The understanding of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour is highly subjective, hence the Constitution of India has obligated a set of guidelines or duties on its citizens and on its State (government). These duties prescribe an individual's behaviour towards the nation and are called Fundamental Duties. These duties also allow us to protect our Fundamental Rights as well as that of others. There are 11 Fundamental Duties -
Abide by the Indian Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem
Defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so
Promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women
Develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform
Safeguard public property and to abjure violence
These are just some of the Fundamental Duties a citizen is obligated to.
The State, meaning Government of India, too has to fulfill certain duties for the betterment of society. These are known as Directive Principles of State Policy of India (DPSPs). These principles ensure that the State promotes the welfare of the people by securing social order under which social, economic and political justice is protected and promoted.
Some DPSPs are:
Right to adequate means of livelihood for all citizens
Equal pay for equal work for men and women
Preservation of the health and strength of workers and children against forcible abuse
Raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and to improve public health
To sum up, behaviour is something that is extremely subjective and every individual is expected to behave in a certain way - the ‘appropriate’ way.
As Chanakya said, good behavior wins even an enemy.
It can take you a long way.
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Bibliography:
Definition of behaviour -kidshealth.org https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/emotional-reactions.html
Fundamental Duties - https://doj.gov.in/sites/default/files/Fundamental-duties_0.pdf
Sharma, Ashu & Malawade, Mandar & Shrikhande, Sheila. (2018). Effectiveness of Behaviour Modification Strategies in School Going Children for Specific Classroom Behaviour. Pediatrics & Therapeutics. 08. 10.4172/2161-0665.1000347.