The ecology of behavior

When considering this it is important to remember that a great deal of human behavior is in response to the behavior of other human beings. Many learners with social and emotional difficulties in schools have experienced negative and sometimes abusive child rearing. It is therefore not surprising that these learners’ behavior may be a reaction to the events in their past. It is very important for educators to recognize that this behavior is also a response to the way they perceive themselves, the way others see them, their history of success or failure at school, and the list could continue.

When thinking about the needs of a learner with social and emotional needs using a therapeutic education approach, it is important to remember that behavior is either a response to the surroundings or is the result of what he or she has learned or both. A learner’s behavior cannot be erased by a quickly implemented ‘behavior program’, because to change behavior new patterns have to be taught. This process needs to be well planned and will nearly always involve changes in behavior by adults as well. Very occasionally the ‘key’ to a learner’s problems is quickly solved, but usually it is a slow learning process, especially if the behavior is well embedded, perhaps being used as a means of self-protection over a number of years.