2 related(?) questions: How to scale or extrude multiple selections together? I have seemingly related questions with gif examples provided below.

Context: In Edit Mode, when I select multiple faces or edges, if I try to scale or extrude them, the resulting behavior is unintuitive based on my expectations. I can't really figure out (a) why Blender is behaving in the manner it is, and (b) how to accomplish my goals quickly. To illustrate, I'll share two examples:

(1) Goal: In Edit Mode, my goal is to Scale two edge loops so that they both Scale evenly together outward. 

Expected Behavior: When I select two edge loops and press "S", I want them to scale evenly together outward, just like when I scale one edge loop.

Actual Behavior: When I select two edge loops and press "S", the loops begin to slide along the mesh object.



Questions: Why is it scaling in this manner? Any suggestions for a quick workflow to achieve my goal?

(2) Goal: In Edit Mode, my goal is to Extrude two separate faces so that they both Extrude evenly together outward -- in this case, the "top" face should extrude increasingly positive on Z axis, and the "bottom" face should increase increasingly negative on Z axis, evenly together. 

Expected Behavior: In Edit Mode, when I select two faces and press "E", the two faces should extrude outwards evenly (in this case, in opposite axis directions), just like when I select only one face it extrudes.

Actual Behavior: In Edit Mode, when I select two faces and press "E", the faces begin to slide in unison along what looks to be the X axis.



Questions: Why is it extruding in this manner? Any suggestions for a quick workflow to achieve my goal?

Thanks so much in advance for your assistance!
In Blender, you can change the behavior of these operations like extrude and scale to suite your needs by setting the Pivot Point. The select menu is located in the bottom bar in 3D view.



In your case, you need to extrude or scale selected loops / faces individualy, so you need to select the Pivot Point to Individual Origins:



You can also use the shortcut Ctrl. for that.
For switching back to Bounding Box Center, use ,

The result - scale:


Extrude