Behavioral Competence as a Positive Youth Development Construct: A Conceptual Review

Hing Keung Ma

doi:10.1100/2012/568272

Abstract

Behavioral competence is delineated in terms of four parameters: (a) Moral and Social Knowledge, (b) Social Skills, (c) Positive Characters and Positive Attributes, and (d) Behavioral Decision Process and Action Taking. Since Ma's other papers in this special issue have already discussed the moral and social knowledge as well as the social skills associated in detail, this paper focuses on the last two parameters. It is hypothesized that the following twelve positive characters are highly related to behavioral competence: humanity, intelligence, courage, conscience, autonomy, respect, responsibility, naturalness, loyalty, humility, assertiveness, and perseverance. Large-scale empirical future studies should be conducted to substantiate the predictive validity of the complete set of these positive characters. The whole judgment and behavioral decision process is constructed based on the information processing approach. The direction of future studies should focus more on the complex input, central control, and output subprocesses and the interactions among these sub-processes. The understanding of the formation of behavior is crucial to whole-person education and positive youth development.

Highlights

The goal of education is to teach our children the knowledge and skills to behave gracefully and properly and to act
We will explore a set of positive characters or attributes that are highly related to behavioral competence
The behavior decision process is investigated based on the information processing approach

Summary

Background

The goal of education is to teach our children the knowledge and skills to behave gracefully and properly and to act . Education should not stop at the judgment level but should go straight to the real behavior domain. The development of behavioral competence is one of the most important attributes that we want to teach students. We will explore a set of positive characters or attributes that are highly related to behavioral competence. The behavior decision process is investigated based on the information processing approach. We are interested in studying the factors affecting one’s behavioral decisions, especially in dilemma situations

Definition of Behavioral Competence

Positive Attributes Related to Behavioral Competence

An Information Processing Approach to Behavioral Decision

Assessment of Behavioral Competence

Antecedents of Behavioral Competence

Practical Ways to Promote Behavioral Competence in Adolescents

Conclusive Remarks and Suggestions for Future Research