It is important to separate behavioral sciences from social sciences. The studies are related in that behavioral sciences research, study, and compare the substance of the decision-making processes, the communication styles and choices, and the physical interaction between people, animals, and other organisms, and their social environments and structures.
Behavioral sciences analyze various dimensions of behavior in different circumstances. The study of psychology, social neuroscience, interpersonal communication, internal motivations, chemical responses to stimuli, etc. all fall within the broad category of behavioral science.
The understanding of the behavioral patterns established by the brain is required in a large percentage of all businesses. Marketing companies need to understand certain aspects of behavioral science in order to develop effective strategies in introducing products, services, and ideas into the marketplace. Companies must understand the reactions of its prospective clients to everything from the logo to the appearance of the finished product. They need to understand the response of the prospective customers when they hear about the service or product and also how the customers will respond to the place of business, whether it is a psychiatric office or an online web presence.
Other careers in behavioral science may focus solely on the behaviors of animals and insects when civilization mingles with their natural habitat. It would be dangerous to assume that a mountain resort lodge could be placed in areas not formerly inhabited by human beings before understanding the balance of the environment and wildlife.
Behavioral scientists study the animals in a zoo or a protective environment. They must try and understand as much as they can the psychology of an animal that is about to be relocated or returned to the wild in order to have the best chance of the survival of that animal.
When it comes to the development of the brain, science is imperfect in its understanding, but they have come a long way. Behavioral scientists are constantly monitoring educational processes and measuring them with the responses of the students. With the addition of so many psychotropic drugs in society, especially in schoolchildren, behavioral scientists have a completely new set of brain functions to research and understand within the educational and social settings of children and adults.
Some people are more intuitive and have a natural understanding of human and animal mind, motivations, and behaviors. Others are better at analyzing the research of others. While another group is better at understanding the chemical effects associated with behavior.
To be a leader in your chosen career field, it is important that you recognize the strengths you have and focus on developing those specialties.
Whether you are still in school, working as an apprentice, or a seasoned veteran in your field, there are many things you can do to increase your value in the eyes of your prospective employers.
Daily Educational Advancement
Subscribe to behavioral science-related periodicals. As you read them, search for things that are more cutting edge and create a scrapbook of articles. Write your own notes about what you gained out of those articles and what additional thoughts you have.
Keep up with Events and Developments that are Occurring Within Behavior Science Organizations
You can subscribe to their newsletters, frequently review their websites, and attend functions that they have. The more familiar you are with an organization and their inner workings, the better you will be able to know if that is the company that you might want to work with. Then you will also be able to make more natural contacts within the company and industry that could become valuable resources for you during future job searches.
Become Published as Frequently as Possible
As you expand your knowledge of the behavioral sciences, constantly share your expertise with others. There are many websites where you can submit well-written articles and essays that include your credentials and links to websites that you might maintain, such as social networking and business networking sites. When you write something that you feel is especially brilliant, submit it to behavioral science periodicals. The worst that will happen is that they will say, “No thanks.” But they may also publish what you have written and invite you to write more. Being published and read is an impressive resume enhancer.
Do not Waste Television Viewing Time
If you are going to watch television anyway, watch programs that explore the behavioral sciences. This could include criminal behavior, behavior of ancient civilizations, marketing research or consumer behavior, exploration of various brain science topics, the behavioral patterns of political groups, behavior linking thoughts to sexuality, and more.
The television can be an enormous time waster, but at the same time, it can be a great boon to your library of educational and informational resources. Keep a viewing journal close to your television and write down information that you do not want to forget. Do not allow this viewing to become addictive by limiting the number of hours per week that you watch television and stick to that.
For as long as there are people, there will be a need to continuously research and understand behavior. Establish yourself as a careful expert and excellent career opportunities will constantly be a resume away.
