How do we understand misbehavior as a concept?

To be able to understand misbehavior in general terms we need to first begin to grasp the concept of the purpose of that misbehavior. According to Adlerian Psychology there is no behaviour without purpose and examining these behaviours we are able to understand the reasons or objectives behind them. The four main goals of misbehavior or misbehaviors are:

- Attention. A person who misbehaviors can typically do it for attention seeking purposes. They may feel that they’re not getting the attention they need so they misbehave in order to get noticed. A child does this in the way of screaming and crying at times in order to get the attention of his or her parents. An adult will do this by way of ‘causing a scene’ at a social function through means such as dressing inappropriately, or loud mouthing/shouting.

- Power. A person who misbehaves can in fact do it in attempt to establish control. It is a power seeking mechanism that operates through being defiant and resistant to ‘others’. A child can do this by refusing to clean his or her room, which allows them to get a sense of power or control over their parents. An adult can do this by challenging superior figures such as their employers, because they ‘know better’. It gives them a sense of self in this resistance and defiance.

- Revenge. A revengeful person wishes to hurt others in order to feel more secure. He or she typically sees himself or herself as unloved and acts out in revenge in order to feel a sense of self approval. A child will act in a form of revenge when they retaliate against a perceived hurt such as being punched or kicked by another child. An adult can also act in this way when they wish to ‘get back at someone’ for gossiping for example.

- Display of inadequacy. The person or people who misbehaves in this way will typically do so because they feel helpless and inadequate. The purpose behind feeling this way will serve them in the way of getting their way with people who will end up doing their work or jobs. Children can do this when they do not feel like ‘cleaning their room’ for instance. They may shout tiredness or sickness because they know ultimately; they can force their parents to do the task that they do not wish to do by acting in this manner. Adults can act in a similar way, they will take a day off work on occasion because they can’t be bothered dealing with whatever they’re meant to be dealing with at work. They will cry sickness and hope that those around them will feel sorry for them and fulfill his or her tasks at the place of employment.

When we understand the reason for misbehavior, particularly of children, it gives us the opportunity to respond in a better, more properly thought out fashion. Enabling a thought out response, as opposed to an emotionally charged variety.