Functional Approach To Human Behavior

In understanding why people act or behave the way they do, one must first recognize that human behavior is not an easy theme to discuss and analyze. Human behavior is more complex than how most people think it is. By simply acknowledging the fact that people behave or respond differently to the same situation is already a clear proof that we are practically unpredictable. Not everyone is motivated by money or some other earthly possessions and culture may direct people to behave differently even with the same given situation. Nevertheless, we are capable of deciding and reasoning which may sometimes be regardless of its implications for others. Since time immemorial, we are already part of an organization, which is defined as a bounded system

Basically, the functional approach leads us to understand the basic functions of a manager. Thus, when a manager disregards something it may lead an organization to stop or in economic terms reach the shut-down point. Managers are expected/required to perform duties that are ceremonial and symbolic in nature – interpersonal roles; purveys true and unbiased information to every member of the organization – informational roles, and managers also are given the authority to decide for the future of the clients and the organization –decisional roles (Robbins and Judge, 2013). The functional approach/analysis divides the results of a person's behavior into manifest and latent consequences which are basically intended and unintended results of a person's action towards another individual, group and the organization as a whole (Champoux, 2011). The functional approach provides us with a clear relationship between the people and the success of the

The models are: (a) autocratic model, (b) custodial, (c) supportive, and (d) collegial. These four models reflect the level of democratic procedures in the organization wherein autocratic model depends on power, custodial depends on economic resources, supportive of leadership and finally collegial to mutual contribution. The perspective being subscribed into by the manager would act as its lens in assessing the condition of the individual personnel, the units/departments and generally of the entire organization and it is the task of the manager to make sure that everything is working well for its greater end of achieving set goals, i.e. higher productivity, increased sales and expanded market share. Organizational behavior teaches us to recognize and manage individual and group behavior in organizations (Frederick,