A simple idea can be the spark that ignites a change in behavior. Why do some people struggle with communicating ideas while others don’t? It takes effort to communicate well and sometimes there are misunderstandings. Like any other skill, you can get better with practice over time. A desire to connect with others is one thing that we all have in common.
“Connection is why we’re here.” Brene Brown, a research expert at the University of Houston, says. “We are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering.”
What she is suggesting, in other words, is that it’s part of human nature to want to connect and share ideas.
Would you like to have a bigger impact on your learner? In this article, we’ll talk about human behavior and how it affects the relationship between an instructor and a learner.
What’s the definition of human behavior?
The study of human behavior seeks to explain how and why humans act in specific ways. The Aviation Instructor’s Handbook (AIH) offers three worldviews of human behavior:
- The scientific world.
- The drive to satisfy certain needs.
- The typical life course of humans.
According to the AIH, the scientific world defines human behavior as “the product of factors that cause people to act in predictable ways.”
One of those assumptions is that we dislike embarrassment. The reality is that it’s uncomfortable and we’ll do what we can to avoid it. Inevitably, it happens. Then we bounce back, sometimes laugh about it, and life continues.
Satisfying certain needs can be basic or more complex. Basic needs are straightforward. For example, imagine that you have an upcoming training flight, and the weather is forecast to be warmer than usual. Assuming you are fit for flight, will your urge to quench your thirst be higher before or after your flight?
It will be higher post-flight because you’ll sweat during your flight. Sweating will help you cool down, which will cause a loss of fluids in your body. Check out this video on how your flying is affected when you are hot and thirsty.
Complex needs can be challenging to identify such as a sense of belonging.
Another way human behavior can be defined is through the usual life course of humans. A teenager has a different outlook than a young professional. A young professional may have a different worldview than someone at a different stage of life who has had a successful career.
So why does knowing about human behavior matter?
Understand human behavior to help a learner succeed
Think about the last time you boarded an airliner for a flight. You likely placed your carry-on in an overhead bin, settled in your seat, and fastened your safety belt. Then a few minutes later you probably heard a crew member announce that they need your attention. Part of the passenger safety information briefing is the use of oxygen masks. Specifically, if an oxygen mask appears, then you promptly place your oxygen mask on before helping others.
Understanding human behavior is a win-win. First, it offers insights that help you know yourself as an instructor. Second, by examining your behavior, you can provide effective instruction for a learner. The order matters.
As an instructor, donning your oxygen mask is the equivalent of helping yourself first by reflecting on your behavior. After you do that, then you can help others such as your learner.
Next, we’ll discuss what learning styles really are.
The instructor and learner relationship
Learning styles offer a way to explain why we are drawn to certain methods of receiving information. In a way, it’s also why we are fascinated by horoscopes. They are engaging because they attempt to help us understand who we are by explaining our preferences: “…you’re the type of person who does X, therefore you must be a Y.”
As authors Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel write in their book, Make It Stick, “The idea that individuals have distinct learning styles has been around long enough to become part of the folklore of educational practice and an integral part of how many people perceive themselves.”
In other words, some learners might learn visually through a drawing on a whiteboard. And others from reading a book or listening to a story. The stories we tell ourselves matter. If a learner believes that they learn best through a specific way, then they may be dismissive of other methods. The danger here is a learner can unknowingly set themselves up for failure from the start by fixating on a specific way of receiving information.
Instead, an instructor can acknowledge a learner’s preference. Then encourage a learner to be open to learning in different ways.
The Risk Management Handbook defines human behavior as “The product of factors that cause people to act in predictable ways.” Behaviors can be thought of like bicycles. Different characteristics make them unique. However, the most important parts are quite similar. You have a set of wheels, a frame, pedals, a seat, and handlebars. With a basic understanding of human behavior, an instructor can connect with their learner. The result is more meaningful instruction that helps the learner succeed.
