Which of the following is considered an external influence on behavior?

The correct choice identifies department regulations as an external influence on behavior because these regulations are created by the organization and dictate the expectations for conduct within the correctional environment. Department regulations provide a structured framework that guides how officers and personnel should act in various situations, influencing their behavior through established policies and procedures.

This external influence shapes the actions of staff members by establishing boundaries and protocols that they are required to follow. Consequently, behavior is often a reflection of adherence to these external standards, which help maintain order, safety, and professionalism within the corrections system.

In contrast, personal values, agency subculture, and internal rationalizations stem from within an individual or a particular group's context and do not represent external influences imposed by the department or organization. Personal values reflect individual beliefs, agency subculture encompasses shared norms and practices among staff, and internal rationalizations involve justifications that an individual uses to make sense of their own behavior. These elements, while influential in the context of behavior, lack the external authority and structural implications that department regulations carry.