Behavioural sciences The term behavioural sciences encompasses all the disciplines that explore the activities of and interactions among organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behaviour through controlled and naturalistic observation, and disciplined scientific experimentation. It attempts to accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through rigorous formulations and observation (E.D. Klemke, R. Hollinger & A.D. Kline, (eds.) (1980)). Examples of behavioural sciences include psychology, cognitive science, and anthropology. Difference between behavioural sciences and social sciences

The term behavioural sciences is often confused with the term social sciences. Though these two broad areas are interrelated and study systematic processes of behaviour, they differ on their level of scientific analysis of various dimensions of behaviour. Behavioural sciences abstract empirical data to investigate the decision processes and communication strategies within and between organisms in a social system. This involves fields like psychology and social neuroscience, among others. In contrast, social sciences provide a perceptive framework to study the processes of a social system through impacts of social organisation on structural adjustment of the individual and of groups. They typically include fields like sociology, economics, history, counselling, public health, anthropology, and political science (E.D. Klemke, R. Hollinger & A.D. Kline, eds.,

Categories of behavioural sciences

Behavioural sciences includes two broad categories: neural—decision sciences—and social— communication sciences. Decision sciences involves those disciplines primarily dealing with the decision processes and individual functioning used in the survival of organisms in a social environment. These include anthropology, psychology, cognitive science, organisation theory, psychobiology, and social neuroscience. On the other hand, communication sciences include those fields which study the communication strategies used by organisms and its dynamics between organisms in an environment. These include fields like anthropology, organisational behaviour, organisation studies, sociology and social networks. Behavioral science is a branch of the sciences which is concerned with the study of human and animal behavior. Behavioral science looks at individuals and their behavior along with the behavior of societies, groups, and cultures, and processes which can contribute to specific behaviors. There is a great deal of overlap between this field and the social sciences, which can sometimes lead to confusion: the social sciences tend to focus more on structural systems and cultures, while behavioral science tends to look at the reactions within and between organisms which dictate behavioral trends.

Researchers in the field of behavioral science can use a number of tools to gather data. Observation of individuals and groups is one of the most powerful tools, as are controlled, ethical experiments which are designed to push the boundaries of normal behavior and to explore the motivations behind behavior. Research in this field can include many social sciences in their approach, along with harder sciences like neurology, chemistry, and even things like geology, as people may be interested in how environment informs behavior.

Information gleaned by behavioral scientists is used in a variety of ways. Zoological parks and breeding programs often rely heavily on behavioral science to match their animals appropriately, and to develop environments which will allow their animals to live as naturally as possible within the confines of the facility. Advertisers study this field keenly to learn what makes people buy, and how buying patterns develop. Social scientists are also interested in behavioral science, and there is a great deal of interdisciplinary cooperation between social scientists and behavioral scientists.

Studies of human, animal, and even plant behavior have resulted in a wide range of results, some of which have very serious implications. For example, workers in the public health field have learned to integrate behavioral science into their practice to promote healthy behaviors and encourage people to access health care. Psychologists and other mental health professionals may also incorporate behavioral science into their treatment of patients. If someone seeks cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of a phobia, for instance, he or she will receive treatment which has been designed with the findings of behavioral science in mind.

People who are interested in human and animal behavior might find a career in behavioralscience rewarding. The work requires patience and a fine eye for detail, as much of it involves patient observation and long-term study of subjects, and communication skills are also valuable, as are skills in the sciences. Neurology and biology figure heavily in this field, for example, along with topics like ethnology, psychobiology, and studies of topics like social networking, behavioral economics, and memetics.

Relevance of Behavioral Science to Management

The very purpose of an organization is to attain its objectives. In order that the objectives can be accomplished, plans are implemented - as planning is a line of action to be followed. Next to the plans being executed, arises the need of control to determine whether the plans are complied with, to ensure the progress is being made towards the objectives. In case of deviations, it is indispensable to take corrective measures- Hence the need of control.

The importance of control emerges from the objective that the use of organizational resources must be maximized and the purposeful behavior of organization and its employees can be ascertained. The process of management control ensures if the actual performance is being guided in the direction of expected execution of overall activities. Controlling process helps improving actual behavior and increases the performances to the expected level. According to Koontz and O’Donnell, “Controlling implies measurement of accomplishment against the standard and the correction of deviations to assure attainments of objectives according to plans.” Thus, the control process involves these basic elements, setting of standards, measurement of performance and taking corrective actions in case of deviations.

While exercising control over the entire organization with the establishment of standards and taking corrective measures counter to deviations through a dynamic process, management control system is of special concern to behavioral sciences. Behavioral science has great relevance to management control system as it deals with science studying behavior. It is a study of sociology and psychology. The study is very much concerned with the ways in which people behave. While on the other hand, anthropology which is also contained within behavioral sciences involves the study of mankind relating to all aspects. Especially, it deals with human culture and human development. The concept that a non discriminatory understanding may be established in order to appraise the factors motivating managers and the employees as well as the desired results may be obtained, is closely linked with this phenomenon. Thus, behavioral science is of great importance to management control system. A few concepts concerning behavioral science are concisely discussed hereunder.

Motivation - Motivation can be defined as to make someone want to achieve something or to make someone willing to work hard in order to do it. It is the act of giving somebody a reason or incentive to do a particular task. Motivation causes a feeling of enthusiasm and interest and commitment. It is to create goal oriented behavior among the employees and managers. It implicates a drive towards an action. A framework originated from the needs is a good starting point with the aim of figuring out how people chose certain behaviors. It is considered to be a key to organizational expansion since a highly motivated subordinate or a manager works more effectively and efficiently than the one who is not. According to Young, “Motivation is the process of arousing action, sustaining the activity in progress and regulating the pattern of activity.” Motivational technique is very much useful tomanagement control system as it inspires the employees towards the zest for working by adding excitement or interest.

Attitude - Attitude is of much value and significance in the obtainment of organizationalgoals. Enhancement of positive attitude is necessary for both managers and the employees. Just as the advancement of an organization rests on a proficient manager, so does the performance of the employees largely depend on the managerial style - which in itself is a reflection of the attitude of a manager. Better the managerial style, more efficient will be the performance of the employees. It is conspicuous in the light of this concept that amanagement control system is ineffective unless a manager has positive attitude. Positive attitude bestows positive results on the entire organization. There is a need to alter the attitude- to make it positive in order to move on the path of success. There is almost always a choice as to which attitude should be chosen, that is, positive or negative.

Perception- Perception is a psychological process which lets one interpret the sensory stimulation into meaningful information about the environment. The same world is viewed differently by individuals depending upon their personalities, needs, experience and so on. Similarly, an organizational control system is perceived by a manager and his subordinates in their own ways. We often form our opinions based on what we perceive while it is not necessary at all times that what we perceive is what lies in the reality. The reality may be different from what is perceived. So, the real situation is different from the perceived one and that which is perceived may involve inaccurate information. Hence, the need is to develop perceptual abilities in order to establish positive thinking that may be proven advantageous in the obtainment of organizational goals.

In the development of organization and the fulfillment of its goals, the interaction between its people and the organization is very significant. It is necessary to consider for a management that how the people are on good terms with the organization. It is the aspect that encompasses both organizational goals and personal goals of the employees. Both of these have a great influence on the total organizational development and success.Organizational goals are profitability, productivity, effectiveness and efficiency whereas personal goals include career advancements, recognition, status, job satisfaction and other kind of social and psychological factors relating to the employees. By means of goal congruence a good management control system observes if both are being achieved altogether and it seeks to well maintain it at all times.

Management control system is more effective when there exists mutual cooperation between various divisions and departments. As a matter of fact, conflicts are common in the organizations. But management control system provides necessary inputs to resolve the conflicts while creating healthy competition towards the organizational growth and development.

Hiring a skilled manager is an important decision of a management. A skilled manager can be a good team leader having ability to guide, direct and influence the employees – A dynamic person – characterized by vigorous activities – who is full of energy – having enthusiasm and a sense of purpose and able both to get things going and to get things done. Good leadership style has a powerful effect on people and it is influential in the management control system. It affects the total organizational performance. It is extremely useful for the organization in the process of changing and becoming larger while sustaining economic development rapidly. Bureaucratic leadership fails to form a group of same interest, quite the opposite, by virtue of Consultative or Participative leadership, a social system is set up with mutual interest by which an organization is led increasingly to success with the establishment of effective

Behavioural Science Approach

The behavioural science approach is also called "Human Resource Approach". It gave importance to attitudes, behaviour and performance of individuals and groups in the organisations. Behavioural scientists brought two new aspects to the study of management. 1. They gave a more complex view of human beings and their needs and motives. For e.g. Abraham Maslow, gave importance to Self-actualization need of human beings. 2. They used scientific methods to study the group behaviour in organisations. Assumptions of Behavioural Science Approach

Basic assumptions and propositions of Behavioural Science Approach are :- 1. Organisations are socio-technical systems. The management must integrate both the systems. 2. Work and interpersonal behaviour of people in the organisation is influenced by many factors. 3. Employees are motivated not only by physiological needs but also by social and psychological needs. 4. Different people have different perceptions, attitudes, needs and values. These differences must be found out and recognised by management. 5. In an organisation conflicts are unavoidable. 6. Personal goals and Organisational goals must be joined together.

The behavioral science approach to management The behavioral approach focuses on the psychological and sociological processes (attitude, motivations, group dynamics) that influence employee performance. While the classical approach focuses on the job of workers, the behavioral approach focuses on the workers in these jobs. Workers desisted the formal and impersonal approach of classical writers. Behavioural approach started in 1930. This gave rise to the Behavioural approach. Two branches contributed to the Behavioural approach. 1. Human relations movements: Hawthorne expressed it. 2. Development of organisational behaviour: pioneers of the human relation movement stressed inter-personal relations and neglected the group behaviour patterns. This led to the development of field oforganisational behaviour. It respects a more. Interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional approach to worker behaviour organisation behaviour involves the study of the attitudes, behaviour patterns and performance of individuals and group in an organisational setting. It says that: (a) Man is not a social individual, he is a complex individual. (b) The role and contribution of organisation behaviour in workers. (c) It discussed the psychological variables like motivations, leading etc. (d) Man is a self-actualizing being. Classification of human needs by Maslow as under: 1. Physiological needs: these needs are related to the survival and maintenance of life. These include food, clothing, shelter etc. 2. Safety needs: these consist of safety against murder, fire, accident, security against unemployment etc. 3. Social needs: these needs include need for love, affection, belonging or association with family, friends and other social groups. 4. Ego or esteem needs: these are the needs derived from recognition status, achievement, power, prestige etc. 5. Self-fulfillment: it is the need to fulfill what a person considers to be his real mission of life.

Maslow is of the opinion that these needs have a hierarchy and are satisfied one by one. When first needs are satisfied then person moves to second and so on. Contributions of Behavioural science approach: The behavioural science approach is concerned with the social and psychological aspects of human behaviour in organisation. Many of the conclusions of the Howthorne studies were reaffirmed by the subsequent research studies, but certain ideas were extended and others highlighted by the behavourial scientists. Some of the important elements of the behavourial science approach are highlighted below. 1. Individuals differ in terms of their attitudes, perception and value systems. Therefore, they react differently to the same situation. 2. People working in an organisation have their needs and goals, which may differ from the organisation’s needs and goals. Management should achieve fusion between organisational goals and human needs. 3. Individual behaviour is closely linked with the behaviour of the group to which he belongs. A person may be inclined to resist pressures to change his behaviour as an individual. But he will readily do so if the group decides to change its behaviour. With work standards laid down by the group, individuals belonging to that group will resist change more strongly. 4. Informal leadership, rather than the formal authority of supervisor, is more important for setting and enforcing group standards of performance. As a leader (manger) may be more effective and acceptable to the subordinates if he adopts the democratic style of leadership. If the subordinates are encouraged to participate in establishing the goals, there will be positive effect on their attitude towards work. Changes in technology and methods of work, which are often resisted by employees, can be brought about more easily by involving the employees in planning and designing the jobs. 5. By nature most people enjoy work and are motivated by self-control and self-development. It is for the managers to identify and provide necessary conditions for the human potential to be used in the service of the organisation. The manager’s attitude towards human behaviour should be positive. The behavioural scientists have shown how human beings bring to their task aspects of behaviour, which the effective manager should profitably understand. After all, it is individuals and groups with which a manager is concerned and while organisational roles are designed to accomplish group purposes, people must fill these roles. Thus, the behavioural sciences have provided managers with a ore systematic understanding of one of the most critical factors in the process of management—the human element. Insights evolving from that understanding have been used to design work situations that encourage increased productivity. It has enabled organisations to formulate programmes to more efficiently train workers and managers, and it has effects in numerous other areas of practical significance.