Understanding and Supporting Behaviour

Unit: Understanding and Supporting Challenging Behaviour Part 1 Essay

This essay will be assessing part 1 of the guideline paper which refers to understanding challenging behaviour, the way such behaviour can be classified as challenging, the importance of psychological theories in explaining challenging behaviour and the way these could help professionals to understand a person's behaviour, but at the same time to take the right action when in practice. The essay will conclude with the impact of life experiences on challenging behaviour and the set of situational factors which may influence such behaviour or trigger it.

Definition of challenging behaviour (CB) and the way this may assist in determining why behaviour can be considered as challenging

In Psychology, CB is defined as a culturally abnormal behaviour or a behaviour of such frequency, intensity and duration which could mean the physical safety of the individual or others may be at risk or the behaviour itself may limit or even deny proper access to the use of community facilities which otherwise are necessary and of ordinary use to the individuals. CB has been studied by both psychologists and sociologists, who have concluded that the behaviour of such nature is mainly exhibited by individuals with dementia, developmental disabilities and by some children; however, such behaviour can be encountered in any person (Emerson 1995).
American Psychiatric Society stated that individuals with mental disorders such as Schizophrenia or Dementia can display CB in most occasions and as such a good understanding of the conditions is essential for the professionals when helping individuals suffering from either mental or behavioural disorders. Professionals must ensure they stay informed and consult a wide range of definitions in order to correctly, ethically and professionally assess and support individuals with CB (Murphy, 1994).

Most common forms of CB include:

Self-injurious behaviour (this could...