Behavioural science explores and analyses human and animal behaviour. Although it often interlinks with the social sciences, these two are separate scientific fields. Research within the behavioural sciences is a hot topic, but no longer one of few career options. Especially the business sector has lately realised the usefulness of understanding human interactions and how this can be used to get ahead of comptitors.
The scientific Discipline
Behavioural science is split into two broad categories: that of neural-decision sciences and the social-communication sciences. The decision sciences deal with how our decisions and our anatomy interact with each other. How we decide what action to take in order to survive in a social environment. The communication sciences on the other hand analyze the impact of language and communication on our society, relationships and our bodies.
Depending on which path you choose to take in your education, you will study such topics as psychology, organisation theory, psychobiology, managment science and social neuroscience if you are more focused on decision branch of behavioural science. If you on the other hand choose to focus on communication, you will go deeper into anthropology, organisational behaviour, organisational studies, sociology and social networks.
Careers in Behavioural Scienes
Today's career options for
behaivoural scientists range from social work in a government or non-profit setting to working as analysts and specialists in large organisations. Many have also taken to working freelance and as consultants to the large companies looking to make use of their knowledge in order to get ahead. Careers in the field are expected to grow at an above average rate through 2014.
Studying Behavioural Science
As with most disciplines,
degrees in behavioural science are offered in a wide variety of countries. What you need to watch out for is that you make sure you are aware of what the degree you are looking at actually entails. Many schools now offer psychology degrees with the heading of
behavioural science. This is not the original discipline, but instead limits itself to the study of groups of people behavioural questions from a psychological point of view.
As
behavioural science is a research intensive field, finding Master's and PhD programs is not difficult. These offer the possibility to deepen your knowledge of the specific areas you are most interested in.
