The second important element in the defination of psychology emphasizes "a study of behavior", Behavior as defined psychologically, refers to action or activities of the individual as matters of psychological study. The term actually covers more than it actually conveys. It may mean a lot of things.
While behavior most often refers to whats is outwardly or overtly manifested, as in the raising of one's hand, it may also mean those activities that are hidden or covert - those not visible to the naked eye. For instance, a clenched fist behind one's back is behavior not directly visible but behavior that is nevertheless within the realm of psychological investigation.
Behavior maybe concious or unconcious, acts may be within the level of one's awareness or deeply embedded in one's subconcious, that is, unconcious. We may fall in love and be very much aware of the feeling, of the pounding of our heart and the increase in our pulse rate. We may harbor an instense hatred toward someone we barely know and know not why we feel so.
The first is concious behavior, tha latter, unconcious, and both are subjects of investigation in psychology.
Some acts also maybe rational, voluntary and involuntary. Rational exercise with sanity or reason. When a person express his feeling of admiration for a person he admire, he is acting with a reason. He express his preference for someone or something he admires. Acts which are commited for no apparent reason or explanation - as when a man losses his sanity and laugh at nobody or nothing rational and irrational acts.
Voluntary, done with full volition or will. When a student enrolls for a course in psychology, he does it with the use of his will. H ediscriminate, chooses and decides.
Involuntary, processes within the body that go on even while we are sleep or awake are involuntary, these are like behavioral processes that fall under psychological study - like respiration, circulation, and digestion.
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