What is Behavioural Science?

It is a systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of behaviour of an

organism through controlled and naturalistic experimental observations and rigorous
formulations. It encompasses the activities of and interactions among organisms in the
natural world.

How Behavioural Science is different from layman’s understanding?

1. Behavioural scientists attempt to study behaviour on the basis of systematic,
rational, demonstrable cause-effect relationship;
2. It involves scientific methods of inquiry;
3. Methods and findings can be repeated and data collection is objective; and
4. The aim of the Behavioural Scientist is to understand and predict behaviour.

Core disciplines of Behavioural Science

Anthropology is the study of humanity, which includes the origin and evolution of Homo
sapiens, the organisation of human social and cultural relations, human physical traits,
human behaviour, the variations among different groups of humans, how the
evolutionary past of Homo sapiens has influenced its social organisation and culture, and
so forth.

Psychology is the science of the mind. The human mind is the most complex machine
on Earth. It is the source of all thought and behaviour.

Sociology is the study of society.

Behavioural Science vs. Social Science

Behavioural Science investigates decision processes and communication strategies within
and between humans in a social system.

Social Science provides perceptive approach to study the processes of social systems
through impacts of social organisation on structural adjustment of an individual or group.