Editing Human behavior (section)

==Causes and factors==
Human behavior is influenced by biological and cultural elements. The [[structure and agency]] debate considers whether human behavior is predominantly led by individual human impulses or by external structural forces.<ref name=":2" /> [[Behavioral genetics]] considers how human behavior is affected by inherited traits. Though genes do not guarantee certain behaviors, certain traits can be inherited that make individuals more likely to engage in certain behaviors or express certain personalities.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Plomin |first1=Robert |title=Behavioral Genetics |last2=DeFries |first2=John C. |last3=McClearn |first3=Gerald E. |publisher=Worth Publishers |year=2008 |isbn=978-1429205771 |edition=5th |pages=1–4 |chapter=Overview}}</ref> An individual's environment can also affect behavior, often in conjunction with genetic factors. An individual's [[personality]] and [[Attitude (psychology)|attitudes]] affect how behaviors are expressed, formed in conjunction by genetic and environmental factors.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Beauchaine |first1=T. P. |title=Child and Adolescent Psychopathology |last2=Hinshaw |first2=S. P. |last3=Gatzke-Kopp |first3=L. |year=2008 |isbn=978-0470007440  |pages=58–90 |chapter=Genetic and Environmental Influences on Behavior|publisher=Wiley }}</ref>

=== Age ===
{{Further|Ageing}}
[[File:Drummer girl (24186419196).jpg|thumb|An infant engaging in play in [[Los Angeles]], California (2015)]]
;Infants
[[Infant]]s are limited in their ability to interpret their surroundings shortly after birth. [[Object permanence]] and understanding of [[motion]] typically develop within the first six months of an infant's life, though the specific cognitive processes are not understood.{{Sfn|Bremner|Wachs|2010|pp=234–235}} The ability to mentally categorize different concepts and objects that they perceive also develops within the first year.{{Sfn|Bremner|Wachs|2010|pp=264–265}} Infants are quickly able to discern their body from their surroundings and often take interest in their own limbs or actions they cause by two months of age.{{Sfn|Bremner|Wachs|2010|pp=337–340}}

Infants practice [[imitation]] of other individuals to engage socially and learn new behaviors. In young infants, this involves imitating [[facial expression]]s, and imitation of tool use takes place within the first year.{{Sfn|Bremner|Wachs|2010|pp=346–347}} Communication develops over the first year, and infants begin using [[gesture]]s to communicate intention around nine to ten months of age. Verbal communication develops more gradually, taking form during the second year of age.{{Sfn|Bremner|Wachs|2010|pp=398–399}}

;Children
Children develop [[fine motor skill]]s shortly after infancy, in the range of three to six years of age, allowing them to engage in behaviors using the hands and [[eye–hand coordination]] and perform basic activities of [[Self sufficient|self sufficiency]].{{Sfn|Woody|Woody|2019|pp=259–260}} Children begin expressing more complex emotions in the three- to six-year-old range, including humor, empathy, and altruism, as well engaging in creativity and inquiry.{{Sfn|Woody|Woody|2019|p=263}} [[Aggression|Aggressive]] behaviors also become varied at this age as children engage in increased physical aggression before learning to favor diplomacy over aggression.{{Sfn|Woody|Woody|2019|p=279}} Children at this age can express themselves using language with basic grammar.{{Sfn|Woody|Woody|2019|pp=268–269}}

As children grow older, they develop [[emotional intelligence]].{{Sfn|Charlesworth|2019|p=346}} Young children engage in basic social behaviors with [[Peer group|peers]], typically forming friendships centered on play with individuals of the same age and gender.{{Sfn|Woody|Woody|2019|p=281}} Behaviors of young children are centered around play, which allows them to practice physical, cognitive, and social behaviors.{{Sfn|Woody|Woody|2019|p=290}} Basic self-concept first develops as children grow, particularly centered around traits such as gender and ethnicity,{{Sfn|Charlesworth|2019|p=343}} and behavior is heavily affected by peers for the first time.{{Sfn|Charlesworth|2019|p=353}}

;Adolescents
[[Adolescents]] undergo changes in behavior caused by [[puberty]] and the associated changes in [[hormone]] production. Production of [[testosterone]] increases [[sensation seeking]] and [[Reward system|sensitivity to rewards]] in adolescents as well as [[aggression]] and [[risk-taking]] in adolescent boys. Production of [[estradiol]] causes similar risk-taking behavior among adolescent girls. The new hormones cause changes in emotional processing that allow for close friendships, stronger motivations and intentions, and [[adolescent sexuality]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Peper |first1=Jiska S. |last2=Dahl |first2=Ronald E. |date=2013 |title=The Teenage Brain: Surging Hormones&nbsp;– Brain-Behavior Interactions During Puberty |journal=Current Directions in Psychological Science |language=en |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=134–139 |doi=10.1177/0963721412473755 |issn=0963-7214 |pmc=4539143 |pmid=26290625}}</ref>

Adolescents undergo social changes on a large scale, developing a full self-concept and making autonomous decisions independently of adults. They typically become more aware of social norms and social cues than children, causing an increase in [[self-consciousness]] and [[adolescent egocentrism]] that guides behavior in social settings throughout adolescence.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Choudhury |first1=Suparna |last2=Blakemore |first2=Sarah-Jayne |last3=Charman |first3=Tony |date=2006 |title=Social cognitive development during adolescence |url=https://academic.oup.com/scan/article/1/3/165/2362733 |journal=Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=165–174|doi=10.1093/scan/nsl024 |pmid=18985103 |pmc=2555426 }}</ref>

=== Culture and environment ===
Human brains, as with those of all mammals, are [[Neuroplasticity|neuroplastic]]. This means that the structure of the brain changes over time as [[neural pathway]]s are altered in response to the environment. Many behaviors are learned through [[Interactionism (nature versus nurture)|interaction]] with others during early development of the brain.{{Sfn|Van Schaik|2016|loc=Chapter 2.4}} Human behavior is distinct from the behavior of other animals in that it is heavily influenced by culture and language. [[Social learning theory|Social learning]] allows humans to develop new behaviors by following the example of others. Culture is also the guiding influence that defines social norms.{{Sfn|Van Schaik|2016|loc=Chapter 3.1}}

=== Physiology ===
[[Neurotransmitter]]s, [[hormone]]s, and [[metabolism]] are all recognized as biological factors in human behavior.{{Sfn|Longino|2013|p=12}}

[[Physical disability|Physical disabilities]] can prevent individuals from engaging in typical human behavior or necessitate alternative behaviors. Accommodations and [[accessibility]] are often made available for individuals with physical disabilities in developed nations, including health care, [[assistive technology]], and [[Vocational rehabilitation|vocational services]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lutz |first1=Barbara J. |last2=Bowers |first2=Barbara J. |date=2005 |title=Disability in Everyday Life |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1049732305278631 |journal=Qualitative Health Research |language=en |volume=15 |issue=8 |pages=1037–1054 |doi=10.1177/1049732305278631 |issn=1049-7323 |pmid=16221878 |s2cid=24307046|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Severe disabilities are associated with increased leisure time but also with a lower satisfaction in the quality of leisure time. Productivity and health both commonly undergo long term decline following the onset of a severe disability.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Powdthavee |first=Nattavudh |date=2009-12-01 |title=What happens to people before and after disability? Focusing effects, lead effects, and adaptation in different areas of life |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953609006145 |journal=Social Science & Medicine |series=Part Special Issue: New approaches to researching patient safety |language=en |volume=69 |issue=12 |pages=1834–1844 |doi=10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.09.023 |issn=0277-9536 |pmid=19833424|url-access=subscription }}</ref> [[Disabilities affecting intellectual abilities|Mental disabilities]] are those that directly affect cognitive and social behavior. Common [[mental disorder]]s include [[mood disorder]]s, [[anxiety disorder]]s, [[personality disorder]]s, and [[substance dependence]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Krueger |first=Robert F. |date=1999-10-01 |title=The Structure of Common Mental Disorders |journal=Archives of General Psychiatry |language=en |volume=56 |issue=10 |pages=921–926 |doi=10.1001/archpsyc.56.10.921 |issn=0003-990X |pmid=10530634 |doi-access=free}}</ref>