NATURE OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Human behavior is the collection of behaviors exhibited by human beings and influenced by culture,
society, values, morals, ethics and genetics. In the field of Criminology, the study of human behavior is
significant in order to discover recurrent patterns and to formulate rules about man’s social behavior.

Modern Criminologists regard crime as social phenomenon: meaning – an individual’s criminal behavior
could be attributed directly or indirectly with his experiences and interactions to his social environment.
Thus, one’s knowledge of human behaviors will give him better understanding as to the causes of normal
and abnormal behaviors which eventually lead to criminal behaviors.

Psychology and Criminal Behavior

Psychology – is the totality or sum of all actions, attitudes, thoughts, mental states of a person or groups
of persons, it is the science dealing with the mind of human being including animal behavior.

Individual Differences:

 No two people are alike.

 Men differs from women - qualitative differences; and physical differences
 People differ from day-to-day activities.

Nature of Differences:

1. Physical

2. Ability/Skill

3. Personality

4. Intelligence

Application of Psychology in Law Enforcement

1. Psychology in public relation

2. Psychology in investigation

3. Psychology and group control

4. Psychology and alcoholics

5. Psychology and the courts

Psychology and Common Sense

Psychology is worthy of particular attention. Moreover, a deeper understanding of the psychological

principles and their application to the field of law enforcement would indeed be of assistance to police
officers. Most successful police investigators attribute their achievements on their practical knowledge of
psychology.