Human Behavior and Crisis Management

Behavior
Refers to the actions of an organism or system, usually in relation to
its environment, which includes the other organisms or systems around
as well as the physical environment.
It can also be defined as anything that you do that can be directly
observed, measured, and repeated.
Some examples of behavior are reading, crawling, singing, holding
hand and the like (Ticao, 20014).
Abnormal Behavior
 is something deviating from the normal or differing from the typical.
 it may be abnormal when it is unusual, socially unacceptable, self
defeating, dangerous, or suggestive of faulty interpretation of reality or
of personal distress (Rathus, 1991).
 is a behavior that is deviant, maladaptive, or personally distressful
over a long period of time (King, 2008).
How abnormal behavior be identified?
1. Deviation from statistical norm- the word abnormal means “away from
the norm”.
a. Intelligence
b. Anxiety
2. Deviation from social norm
3. Maladaptive behavior
a. Maladaptive to one’s self- refers to the inability of a person to
reach goals or to adapt the demands of life.
b. Maladaptive to Society- refers to a person’s obstruction or
disruption to social group functioning.
4. Personal Distress- considers abnormality in terms of the individual’s
subjective feelings, personal distress, rather than his behavior.
Symptoms of Abnormal Behavior
1. Long Period of Discomforts- when the feelings of distress persist for an
extended period of time.
2. Impaired Functioning- prolonged inefficiency which seems
unexplainable.
3. Bizarre Behavior- behavior that has no rational basis.
4. Disruptive Behavior- impulsive, uncontrollable behavior that disrupts
the lives of others or deprives them of their human rights on a regular
basis.
What is mental disorder?
 refers to the significant impairment in psychological functioning.
Types of Mental Disorder
a. Psychosis- severe mental disorder characterized by a retreat from
reality, by hallucination and delusions, and by social withdrawal.
b. Organic Mental Disorder- mental or emotional problem caused by brain
diseases or injuries.
c. Substance-related Disorder- refers to an abuse or dependence on a
mood-or-behavioral-altering drug.
d. Mood Disorder- disturbance in mood or emotion, such as depression or
mania.
e. Anxiety Disorder- disruptive feeling of fear, apprehension or anxiety.
f. Somatoform Disorder- physical symptom that mimics a disease or an
injury for which there is no identifiable physical cause.
g. Dissociative Disorder- psychological disorder that involves sudden loss
of memory or change in identity.
h. Personality Disorder- maladaptive personality pattern. A psychological
disorder that is believed to have resulted from personalities that
developed improperly during childhood.
i. Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder- difficulties with sexual identity,
deviant sexual behavior or sexual adjustment.
Insanity
 is not a psychological or psychiatric term but a legal term.
 a person is insane if he/she is not able to judge between right and wrong. It
is the mental inability in managing one’s affairs or to be aware of the
consequences of one’s actions.
 as the inability to appreciate the nature and quality or wrongfulness of one’s
acts (United States Federal Court)
Mental Retardation
 is a condition of limited ability in which an individual has a low I.Q.,
usually below 70 on a traditional intelligence test, and has difficulty
adapting to everyday life;
 he/she first exhibit these characteristics during the so-called
development period- by age 18 (Santrock, 2000).
Table 1. Intellectual Quotient
IQ Category Equivalent Capacity
1 to 25 Idiot A child from 1-3 yrs. old
26 to 50 Imbecile A child from 3-6 yrs. old
51 to 75 Moron A child from 6-8 yrs. old
76 to 90 Dull- minded A child from 9-11 yrs. old
91 to 120 Normal (Average) A child from 11-14 yrs. old
121 to 130 Superior Above average capacity
131 to 140 Talented High Development
140 above Genius Very High Development
 Four Categories of Mental Retardation
IQ 50 to 70: Mild Retardation
IQ 35 to 49; Moderate Retardation
IQ 20 to 34; Severe Retardation
IQ 20 below; Profound Retardation
Able to care their selves; could finish
basic education, holds semi-skilled jobs,
can be married and serve as adequate
parents
Maybe trained to care their selves; reach
primary level of education, holds menial
jobs often sheltered workshops; difficulty
in maintaining social relationships; rarely
marry
May learn sedimentary language and
work skills, unable to care for themselves.
Spend their lives in institution that
provides custodial care, not capable of
true interaction.