Category Archives: Human Behavior

Human Behavior

World Savings Day: Save a bit, big things will follow – Anadolu Agency

ANKARA

Celebrated for nearly a century to help raise public awareness on the importance of saving money both for modern economies across the globe and individuals alike, World Savings Day on Saturday promises that even the smallest frugality can yield substantial benefits in the future.

Also known as World Thrift Day, the Oct. 31 event seeks to promote the virtue of wise spending, as well as saving money in banks, rather than keeping it under the mattress and out of the economy, according to the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute.

Saving is vital to make welfare sustainable, and this habit should be cemented from an early age to help men and women prevent economic hardship and build bright futures for themselves and their families.

"When you save a bit, big things follow," will be the theme of this year's event slated for Oct. 31, suggesting that a penny saved can become multiple pennies earned in the long run if invested in the right place.

Especially amid the economic consequences of the ongoing pandemic, people all over the world have once again witnessed how vital it is to save as hundreds of thousands lose their jobs due to the virus-driven crisis.

This period can also be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for financial consolidation as so many money-spending venues and activities have shut down, which would increase staying power in future turbulence.

It is often stated that human behavior -- including spending -- is motivated by surroundings, and physical shopping, for instance, is one of these behaviors.

The pandemic has obviously altered this environment, since people now spend a greater portion of their time at home rather than in stores or shopping malls, leading to less consumption.

Many are hoping that this new way of living will help people develop better habits, such as saving and spending wisely.

History of World Savings Day

World Savings Day was celebrated on Oct. 31, 1924, during the first International Savings Bank Congress (World Society of Savings Banks) in Milan, Italy.

Italian Professor Filippo Ravizza declared this day "International Savings Day" on the last day of the congress.

There had been other examples in history of days dedicated to saving money for a higher standard of living and a more durable economy.

Spain, had named the first national thrift day on record in 1921. Meanwhile in Germany, confidence in saving had to be revived after many lost their nearly all they owned in the monetary reform of 1923.

Following the Second World War, World Thrift Day continued and reached its peak of popularity between 1955 and 1970.

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World Savings Day: Save a bit, big things will follow - Anadolu Agency

Human Behavior

Social Studies: Shades of white, applying while female, and the partisan Internet – The Boston Globe

Whiteness

Political scientists surveyed people in urban areas in the Midwest and measured their skin color (on the top of the hand and underside of the wrist) with a light sensor. Those who self-identified as white but had darker skin reported more white pride, more support for Donald Trump, and more support for the importance of speaking English, when the sample was controlled for gender, age, education, income, conservatism, party identification, neighborhood demographics, and tanning (determined by comparing the top of the hand to the underside of the wrist). Researchers theorize that darker-skinned white people may be more motivated to protect the boundaries of whiteness because they feel they have more to lose if racial boundaries blur.

Yadon, N. & Ostfeld, M., Shades of Privilege: The Relationship Between Skin Color and Political Attitudes Among White Americans, Political Behavior (forthcoming).

Where you stand

In a series of experiments, people who were simply assigned to one side or the other of a hypothetical legal case without actually arguing it adopted correspondingly more or less negative views of the person on trial, even when informed of actual guilt. The same effect was seen in similar experiments with practicing lawyers.

Melnikoff, D. & Strohminger, N., The Automatic Influence of Advocacy on Lawyers and Novices, Nature Human Behaviour (forthcoming).

Applying like a lady

In a survey of job applicants and in a job-application experiment, women applying for male-typical jobs tended to use less language associated with women like supportive and understanding in cover letters, anticipating more gender discrimination in hiring. However, an analysis of evaluations by those with hiring authority or experience showed that more feminine language was associated with better evaluations, regardless of job type.

He, J. & Kang, S., Covering in Cover Letters: Gender and Self-Presentation in Job Applications, Academy of Management Journal (forthcoming).

Its the nationalized news, stupid

A few decades ago, people read and watched local news at higher rates. Politicians had to campaign on local issues and address local needs, sometimes crossing party lines to do so. But then came the information superhighway and a greater focus on national news and politics. A political scientist found that between 2002 and 2008, as broadband Internet access grew in the United States, so did partisan behavior among voters. There was less split-ticket voting, a smaller incumbency advantage, greater partisan down-ballot effects during presidential election years, and less electoral downside for members of Congress who typically followed the party line in their votes.

Trussler, M., Get Information or Get in Formation: The Effects of High-Information Environments on Legislative Elections, British Journal of Political Science (forthcoming).

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Social Studies: Shades of white, applying while female, and the partisan Internet - The Boston Globe

Human Behavior

What Is the Study of Human Behavior? | National University

Consider these scenarios: an office with under-motivated employees is struggling to maintain team momentum, an ex-offender is trying to get a new start, a young manager is experiencing difficulties with leadership, a community is in need of a program to encourage healthy behavior in teens, a nonprofit organization is trying to craft a philanthropic appeal. These are all situations in which a specialist in human behavior can make a real impact.

Ask twenty people their definition of the study of human behavior and youre likely to get as many different answers. Some consider it a soft skill on par with observation and intuition. Others would define it as an academic pursuit akin to anthropology and sociology. Still others would equate it with psychology and human motivations. The fascinating part of human behavior studies is that it incorporates all of these aspects and more.

Anyone engaged in the study and practice of human behavioral sciences can expect to be involved in a field touching many areas of the applied and social sciences. Professionals and students can expect to work one-on-one with individuals and in complex group situations. They have the option to work in settings ranging from offices to nonprofits to educational institutions. The professions associated with human behavior studies are growing and opportunities abound.

What is the study of human behavior? This diverse field involves the research and practical application of how individuals interact and work with one another, and how groups operate. Strongly rooted in psychology and sociology, studies of human behavior give us an academic understanding of motivations, productivity, and how teams work. In turn, these insights can help make workplaces or any group setting more productive.

Professor Charles Tatum of the Department of Psychology at National University has spent his career in the fields of cognitive psychology and industrial and organizational psychology. He sees human behavior as deeply rooted in biology, experience, and culture. Understanding these motivations and influences, he feels, is key to developing systems that can positively impact productivity and success in workplace and group settings.

Were deeply influenced by both biology and environment, he explains. Its the interaction of the two. Two people with similar characteristics will end up very differently depending on where they grow up. Look at temperament; thats a biological factor. Someone with a low frustration point may find themselves doing poorly in school and end up turning to crime. That same temperament, in another environment, might have a totally different outcome. If channeled into sports, for instance, it can even be beneficial.

The influence of environment becomes even more profound when looking at differences across cultures and societies. The norms associated with child rearing, ethics, and religion all add layers of complexity to the study of human behavior. In many societies, the advent of the internet, digital technologies, and mobile devices are changing the landscape of human behaviors.

Dr. Tatum feels that smartphones and the constant need to post or respond to messages have led to more people being distracted. People think they can effectively multitask. Just look at people checking phones in their cars. But research shows that people lose effectiveness when constantly multitasking. The internet has helped us gain access to any information needed but, ironically, made us less productive.

Human behavior-related fields have branched into several distinct areas based on populations served and outcomes. Often, those pursuing study in this field will be trained as a psychologist. However, while the field of psychology is typically associated with clinical counseling, studies of human behavior expand beyond individual treatment into areas of applied research, ethics, sexuality, and adult development. Students pursuing a masters-level program related to human behavior studies will be immersed in a broad range of topics, taking classes in personal and professional ethics, personal growth and communication, organizational behaviors, behavioral change theory, leadership, behavioral research, and many others. The goal of covering such a range of subjects related to human behavior is a well-rounded education covering aspects of individual and group dynamics. Training and education vary by specialty.

Human behavior studies are applicable to many career opportunities including academia, community service, human resources and employee assistance programs, government, philanthropic work and probation, and parole officers to name just a few.

Salaries will vary widely depending on location and in the career field you choose to apply your skills. As one example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the job outlook for human resources managers to grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026. According to the BLS, the median wage for HR managers stood at $110,120 in 2017. In California, which has one of the highest levels of employment in this occupation, the median wage was $139,860.

The BLS projects the job outlook for probation officers to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026. These professionals had a median wage of $51,410 nationally in 2017, while the median wage in the state of California, another top employer in this profession, stood at $84,870.

National University offers both an on-campus and online degree program related to the study of human behavior.

The Master of Arts in Human Behavior is designed for students to acquire greater knowledge of the behavioral sciences and theories of human behavior. The degree coursework explores a wide array of behavioral topics covering personal, social, and organizational issues. The program is intended for students who have specific ambitions in the fields of supervision, management, and administration, but will also benefit students undergoing life transitions, seeking personal or career growth or requiring preparation for doctoral-level training. You can learn more about National Universitys Master of Arts in Human Behavior on our program page.

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What Is the Study of Human Behavior? | National University

Human Behavior

Insurance Office of America Partners with Gallaher Edge to Transform Company Culture Through the Science of Human Behavior – StreetInsider.com

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Human Behavior

Birx warns of "broad surge" across the country, as Trump claims U.S. is "rounding the turn" – CBS News

Dr. Deborah Birx warned the nation's governors on Friday of a "broad surge" of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country as the weather cools, contradicting President Trump's claim that the U.S. is "rounding the turn."

Birx, the White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator, said on a call that nearly one-third of the nation is in a COVID-19 hot spot, and things aren't getting any better as people turn to indoor activities.

"This is a broad surge across every state where it is cooling," Birx said in audio of the call obtained by CBS News. "... We're learning from the far north about how dramatic that spread can be, and we do not see yet improvements in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin."

The pandemic will only plateau if "every single person in your states" takes wearing masks, social distancing and hygiene seriously, Birx said, according to audio of the call. She told governors that people must decrease indoor gatherings with family and friends. The goal is to "form a bridge of human behavior change over the next few weeks," she said.

On the call, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the U.S. should know in December whether we have a safe and effective vaccine, likely from either Moderna or Pfizer. Doses of the vaccine are already prepared "so we can hit the ground running" if the determination is made to grant one of the vaccines an emergency use authorization. That will allow for distribution at the end of December and early January to those who get priority.

"We should know sometime in December whether or not we have a safe and effective vaccine, or more than one vaccine," Fauci said.

More than 9 million people have now contracted COVID-19 in the U.S., and over 229,000 have died.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has been flouting his own task force's guidelines, holding rallies with thousands of people and scoffing at Minnesota's 250-person limit for a rally on Friday. Mr. Trump's language on COVID-19 has become, if anything, less cautious after he won his battle against the virus with the aid of the country's best medical treatment. On Friday, he called Fox News host Laura Ingraham "politically correct" for wearing a mask.

Even as the pandemic rages across the country, the White House's Coronavirus Task Force has become less visible and less active. "Nothing of substance" is happening with the White House's Coronavirus Task Force, but the president doesn't want to deal with the bad press of disbanding the group, so it continues, even if only symbolically, according to a source familiar with the situation. The task force now only meets once a week.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows acknowledged Sunday what everyone on the task force already knew the Trump administration is "not going to control the pandemic," he told CNN's "State of the Union."

The source familiar with the situation said there is significant concern that Dr. Scott Atlas is telling Mr. Trump what he wants to hear that Americans can reopen the country and simply protect people in nursing homes, when in fact 30% to 40% of the overall population is vulnerable to severe consequences of infection because of age and underlying conditions.

This week, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar ran the Coronavirus Task Force meeting because Vice President Mike Pence, whose inner circle has been infected with COVID-19, was on the campaign trail. Pence declined to quarantine even though the people around him who were infected constituted "close contacts" under the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Most members of the task force are participating in meetings virtually these days.

Pence hasn't been on a task force call with governors in over a month, and the calls with governors are no longer happening every week, as they were earlier in the pandemic.

The source familiar said Atlas joins meetings occasionally, but he has not been talking much during the meetings. Birx has been on the road, but she calls into most meetings. She's been traveling the country to work with localities and spread the message of masks, social distancing and personal hygiene.

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Birx warns of "broad surge" across the country, as Trump claims U.S. is "rounding the turn" - CBS News

Human Behavior

MasterClass Announces Class on the Power of Persuasion – WFMZ Allentown

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best across a wide range of subjects, announced that human behavior expert and #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink will teach a class on sales and persuasion. In his class, Pink will dispel the outdated notion of the pushy salesperson and instead show how selling and persuading are essential skills for everyone in today's worldwhether they're an employee asking their boss for a raise or a parent persuading their child to clean their room. Pink's class is available now exclusively on MasterClass, where subscribers get unlimited access to all 90+ instructors with an annual membership.

"Daniel has an incredible knack for taking complex concepts and making them practical and engaging," said David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass. "In his MasterClass, he uses years of scientific study and research to change the way we think about sales and persuasion and teach members how these skills can be used to achieve better outcomes in any situation."

Pink is the author of four New York Times bestsellers including Drive, When, A Whole New Mind and To Sell Is Human. His provocative books share wisdom on human behavior, business and creativity and have sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. In addition to his successful career as an author, Pink was host and co-executive producer of the National Geographic TV series Crowd Control, which used behavioral science principles and design to explore and explain human nature. Prior to starting his solo career, Pink held multiple positions in politics, including serving as the chief speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore.

"We're all in the business of selling and persuading, and you want to learn how to do it well," Pink said. "In my MasterClass, I will show you how to communicate effectively and cultivate a meaningful connection because when it's done right, successful selling and persuasion makes the other person's life better and makes the world better."

In his MasterClass, Pink will reframe how members think about sales and persuasion, showing the applicability of these essential skills in everyday life, from persuading your child to influencing a group of people. His belief is that the world has changed dramatically in recent years, but our understanding of sales and persuasion has not changed with it. Using tactics grounded in years of research and scientific study, Pink will teach members a human approach to sales, showing the importance of operating with morality and authentic connection to achieve better outcomes. Demonstrating his techniques for the first time ever, he will show members how to persuade by finding common ground and using cognitive biases to their advantage. Building off that foundation, he will outline new sales skills such as attuning yourself to others to create a connection, framing your message to get people to act and becoming self-motivated. Members will also learn a variety of ways to pitch ideas, products and themselves and bounce back from rejection. Members will leave the class inspired not only to use these techniques in their professional lives, but to see the power of these tactics in their everyday personal interactions.

Embed & view the trailer here:https://youtu.be/My7hjBp4wH0

Download stills here:https://brandfolder.com/s/99bvwtgzmkhrv3jvxqhwkxjtCredit: Courtesy of MasterClass

ABOUT MASTERCLASS:Launched in 2015, MasterClass is the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best. With an annual membership, subscribers get unlimited access to 90+ instructors and classes across a wide range of subjects, including Arts & Entertainment, Business, Design & Style, Sports & Gaming, Writing and more. Step into Anna Wintour's office, Ron Finley's garden and Neil Gaiman's writing retreat. Get inspired by RuPaul, perfect your pitch with Shonda Rhimes and discover your inner negotiator with Chris Voss. Each class features about 20 video lessons, at an average of 10 minutes per lesson. You can learn on your own termsin bite-size pieces or in a single binge. Cinematic visuals and close-up, hands-on demonstrations make you feel like you're one-on-one with the instructors, while the downloadable workbooks help reinforce your learning. Stream thousands of lessons anywhere, anytime, on mobile, tablet, desktop, Apple TV, AndroidTV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku players and devices.

Follow MasterClass:Twitter@masterclassInstagram@masterclassFacebook@masterclassofficial

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Media Contacts:Alyssa Bergerson, MasterClasspress@masterclass.com

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MasterClass Announces Class on the Power of Persuasion - WFMZ Allentown

Human Behavior

Spring Arbor University Launches Online Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Prepares Students to Aid Those at Risk of Social and Economic…

SPRING ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Spring Arbor University (SAU) today announced the launch of its online Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree program.

The program is designed to ready its graduates to work in public and private sectors, emphasizing the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals, groups and communities. Designed to ready its graduates to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations, the program emphasizes the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals, groups and communities. Spring Arbor University blends its unique approach of the liberal arts tradition, total commitment to Jesus Christ as the perspective for learning and critical participation in the contemporary world. The program also is advantageous for those planning to pursue a master's degree in counseling or social work.

The versatile knowledge and skills gained during study prepare students for real-world employment in a human-services related field, such as counseling, social work, criminal justice, or a nonprofit or faith-based human services organization. Jobs could include social and community service manager; social services care coordinator/case manager; probation officer/correctional treatment specialist; patient/client/victim advocate; community outreach specialist/community liaison; bereavement/grief specialist; crisis intervention specialist; or administrators of nonprofit and faith-based organizations.

The interdisciplinary degree focuses on the human experience, establishing foundational knowledge in four primary sectors: psychology and human behavior; sociology and social work; research design and methods; and communication and business. The curriculum comprises of instruction in the social sciences, psychology, social service principles, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to human services issues, services, localities and populations.

"The Human Services major builds on SAU's strengths in online learning and the helping professions," said Carol Green, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs. "We designed the program based on what we heard from professionals working in the field as to the skills and knowledge needed for those jobs. Students with lots of transfer credits will love how the flexibility will allow them to finish their bachelors quickly. And, it creates a nice pathway to a master's degree. The degree will prepare students to make a significant difference in our world."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates with human services degrees can expect a bright outlook. With a 17 percent growth rate through 2029, opportunities in the field are growing at a faster than average pace.

In parallel with Spring Arbor University's mission, individual courses integrate a Christ-centered worldview into the educational experience by applying Biblical principles to concepts or practices in class activities and assignments. This approach to faith-based learning emphasizes compassion, human dignity, justice, ethics and cultural understanding.

Courses are offered completely online, with no required physical campus visits and with multiple starting dates throughout the year, allowing students to begin their educational journey when it's convenient to them. Most courses run in six-week blocks, which means sooner completion and better use of Pell Grant funding, if applicable. The program is ideal for students with significant transfer credits and accepts transfers of up to 84 college credits.

The new online bachelor's degree in human services is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring students receive a rigorous education that meets today's highest industry standards.

Learn more about Spring Arbor University's Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree at https://programs.online.arbor.edu/programs/human-services-degree

Founded in 1873, Spring Arbor University is a Christian liberal arts university located in Spring Arbor, Michigan. SAU offers more than 70 majors and programs to traditional undergraduate students, as well as associate, bachelor, and master programs offered in virtual class formats. For more information, visit arbor.edu.

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Beth LandisExecutive DirectorMarketing and CommunicationsPh.: 517-750-6451

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Human Behavior

Which mask works? Researchers find confusion over mask use for wildfire, COVID-19 crises – Stanford University News

To mask or not to mask and which mask to use? With public health guidance about masks in the United States confused by political hedging, clarity around mask use is increasingly important, especially as the western U.S. battles the twin crises of wildfire smoke and COVID-19.

The CDC is the gold standard of where we find guidance to protect our health, but its also really important for that information to be spread in ways that people can access and understand it, said Francisca Santana, a PhD student at Stanford University and lead author of a perspective review on mask use published in Environmental Research Letters Oct. 28. Unfortunately, just a website online may not be effective at communicating that information.

The researchers analyzed studies on large-scale responses to epidemics, drivers of human behavior and reactions to wildfire smoke exposure. Based on what scientists have gleaned in aggregate, they have outlined recommendations for communicating mask use guidelines. For U.S. government agencies, their suggestions include:

Even people who understand what they should be doing are not doing it, said senior author Gabrielle Wong-Parodi, an assistant professor of Earth system science at Stanfords School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (Stanford Earth). The message needs to be evidence-based, and we need to provide people with behaviorally realistic options that they can actually do and afford.

The researchers noted the importance of incorporating the social and psychological influences of mask use behavior a critical and poorly understood topic they urge scientists to further investigate. We are social beings, we live in these social contexts and were not making decisions in isolation, so thats really important to acknowledge in whatever messages are given to the public, Wong-Parodi said. Just because we put out a great message doesnt mean that people are going to take it up and do it we need to be sensitive to what people are going through right now.

One pathway to behavior change is through social norms the shared beliefs within a social group. Common methods for establishing social norms include comparing peoples actions to others, providing positive feedback and placing messaging where it is most relevant. That could mean, for example, posting signage about wildfire masks outdoors and COVID-19 masks indoors.

Further investigation is needed to understand if mask wearing can also affect other actions to prevent the spread of infectious disease, such as hand-washing and social distancing, according to the co-authors.

To help fill gaps in research on mask use during wildfires, Santana, a PhD student in the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, interviewed residents affected by wildfire smoke from the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed Paradise, California.

The discussions indicated that social norms are a powerful driver of mask use, but also revealed instances of maladaptive behavior, when the action taken is ineffective or even harmful. In one interview, Santana learned that during persistent wildfire smoke, someone with asthma wore a mask while sleeping a practice that can even further stress breathing for people with pre-existing asthmatic conditions. That highlighted how some of the basic information about how to wear a mask how to fit it, what conditions should you wear it in was not permeating all the communities that we were working in, Santana said.

Unlike situations of infectious disease alone, the dual threats of wildfire smoke and COVID-19 have presented a plethora of mask-wearing options with varying effectiveness, depending on the hazard. While an N95 mask is form fitting and must be placed on top of your nose to protect from wildfire smoke, cloth face coverings may be advised forCOVID-19 protection and people sometimes wear less-structured cloth masks under their noses, going against the CDCs recommendation to wear them over your nose and mouth to reduce disease transmission.

The interviews also revealed a form of social support that is now being repeated during COVID-19: gifting masks to others. While it may or may not actually encourage mask use, that support can influence how people perceive the behaviors of close friends and family.

Your perception of the behavior of people youre in close contact with matters maybe even more than what theyre actually doing, in terms of influencing your own behavior, Wong-Parodi said.

The review also included surveys from China and Japan, where mask-wearing was associated with the perceived threat of pandemics like SARS and H1N1 and strong perceived benefits of masks. More recent research in the U.S. reveals how mask use can indicate political affiliation or fear of racial profiling.

The researchers suggest several areas of study that would help public health communications leverage the social nature of mask use, such as how social norms influence individual health like the inhalation of smoke versus collective health such as the spread of COVID-19. Above all, they underscore the importance of communications based on scientific evidence.

Its really important for public health officials at the local or state level to provide clearer guidance to the public about which masks are appropriate for which events, and to make recommendations for behavior change, Santana said.

Wong-Parodi is also a center fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Co-authors include Stephanie Fischer, a social science research coordinator with the Woods Institute, and Marika Jaeger, a research associate with Wong-Parodis research group.

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Which mask works? Researchers find confusion over mask use for wildfire, COVID-19 crises - Stanford University News

Human Behavior

What is the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory? – Science Times

In 2016, Professor Laura Carstensen from Stanford developed the socioemotional selectivity theory(SST) about human behavior. Goals influence our social preferences, she wrote in her study, while directing cognitive processes.

The SST also states that the perception of time influences people's memory, attention, emotional experiences, and decisions. In general, the social-psychological theory is about perceived time and life goals.

The theory also relates to people who face endings. For example, younger people who experience near-death experiences such as a terminal illness or war and endings such as moving to a new place may have changes in their motivation.

In general, people have two sets of goals that influence human behavior. The first set of goals includes gaining knowledge and the second set is focused on regulating emotions. Both goals are also influenced by the perception of time.

Those who perceive the future tend to invest in emotionally taxing activities that provide new learning or open opportunities. When the perception of time is limited, people spend more energy on emotional experiences that make them feel good and have more immediate payoffs.

In a recent study, a team from the Kibale Chimpanzee Projectshare their observations of the local Kanyawara chimpanzee community in Uganda's Kibale National Park. For several decades, chimpanzee behavior was observed to test the SST.

According to the theory, social behavior changes during early adulthood when it comes to choosing friends. At this age, chimps maintained a smaller social network which they kept until they grew old.

Alexandra Rosati from the University of Michigan said, "the proposal is that this shift happens because of our human ability to monitor our own personal time horizons-how much time we have left in our life"- influencing us to prioritize specific relationships with the mindset that we're running out of time.

Read Also: 3 Lessons We Can Learn From Dolphins

Older male chimpanzees were observed to have close relationships that were mutually equitable. Younger adult chimps had the opposite, with relationships that did not reciprocate the same benefits.

Older chimps were also alone most times and interacted with important relationships within the group. As they grew older, male chimps shifted from clashing behaviors to more positive interactions with other males.

The chimpanzees were observed to "share these special social aging patterns with humans, even though they do not have the same rich future time perspective and knowledge of their own mortality that we have," said Professor Zarin Machanda from Tufts University. The same behavior in human relationships reflects how older adults adapt and focus on relationships that are mutually beneficial while avoiding negative relationships.

Rosati said that the study gives insight into promoting healthy again among people by focusing on the right relationships. Social selectivity emerges during the "absence of complexfuture-oriented cognition, and they provide an evolutionary context for patterns of social aging in humans," concluded the authors.

Read Also: Risky Animal Behavior Influenced and Triggered by Hunger

Check out more news and information on Behavioron Science Times.

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What is the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory? - Science Times

Human Behavior

People Do People Things: The Future of Security is Human – Express Computer

(By Dr. Margaret Cunningham)

As 2020 comes to an end, the importance of understanding the relationship between humans and technology is at an all-time high. Widespread shifts in the fabric of our society, prompted by the ongoing pandemic, exposed weaknesses in security tools and protocols for remote workers, highlighted issues of network reliability and accessibility, and demanded that humans find innovative ways to keep organizations running. While the fallout from the pandemic is unignorable, the ability for people to respond to seemingly endless challenges has been nothing short of remarkable.

The year 2021 will continue to reflect human resilience and ingenuity. It will be the year of workarounds and self-serving insider threats, where people find ways to accomplish their goals despite dealing with personal and professional adversity. Workarounds, shortcuts, and creative work strategies are simultaneously a celebration of human creativity and a risk for organizations who are desperately trying to maintain visibility of their assets. Ultimately, people sharing data and accessing corporate networks in new and potentially unsanctioned ways carries quite a bit of risk especially for organizations that are new to managing remote workers.

The result of thesechangesis that successful cybersecurity strategies will stop trying to use technology as a unilateral force to control human behavior. Rather, organizations will come to terms with the reality that adding more and more technology or security does not lead to behavioral conformity, especially not conformity that aligns with security principles and adequate cyber hygiene. In fact, additional layers of security may push more people outside of the guiderails due to increasingly aggravating security friction that blocks them from completing tasks or easily accessing critical organizational assets.

Understanding Precedes Predicting

In light of this, understanding how people adapt to, respond to, and inform their environments is critical for organizations heading into the new year. For far too long, the tech world has created products with the assumption that people will use them in an expected or uniform way, or that people would conform to the rules and constraints laid out by well-meaning engineering teams. If weve learned anything from 2020, it is that people are not always predictable, and making assumptions about human behavior is a dangerous game to play. Whats surfaced is that expectations, guidelines, best practices, and even commands will yield every type of behavioral response from rigid compliance to retaliatory noncompliance.

What can we do? We can learn more about what motivates behavior, and how people ultimately choose to behave. We can also commit to designing and implementing security practices and tools that work with humans instead of against them. To do this, however, we have to focus on measuring and understanding behavior instead of focusing exclusively on detecting compromises and vulnerabilities.

For instance, we know that peoples immediate needs often outweigh potential negative consequences especially when the consequences do not have a direct, individual, and immediate impact. This means that when we need to accomplish our goals we often take the easiest route. Unfortunately, the easiest route is often riskier than the ideal route. When faced with frustrating, security-heavy file and data sharing tools, we may turn to sharing via personal cloud applications. Making rules to stop people from engaging in this type of behavior is not working so rather, we have to better understand these behaviors to find ways to mitigate their risk to organizations and organizational assets.

Building Behavioral Understanding Into Systems

Within the cybersecurity industry, observing and understanding behaviors must come with context. What may appear at first glance like an obviously malicious act likely to lead to data loss for example an engineer requesting access to multiple sensitive data repositories over the course of two days could simply be a person getting their job done. Our engineer may be doing this because shes been added to several new projects and needs to be able to collaborate with her new team.

We want people to be able to do their jobs within the constraints of our corporate network and policies, so blocking them would only encourage the human tendency to find an easier (and less secure!) route for getting their jobs done. With an interdisciplinary research team, pulling experts from security, counter-intelligence, IT, and behavioral sciences together, behavioral understanding can be built into cybersecurity systems. And this is the first important step for finally starting to move cybersecurity left of breach designing security for the human element.

(The author is the Principal Research Scientist at Forcepoint)

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Originally posted here:
People Do People Things: The Future of Security is Human - Express Computer