Human Behaviour in Health and Illness (NRSG 323) PDF

Human Behaviour in Health and Illness (NRSG 323) By: Maitanmi, B.T.  Introduction to Human Behaviour  Is as any activity a living organism manifest either consciously or unconsciously which can be observed either directly or indirectly by another person.  Is t...

Human Behaviour in Health and Illness (NRSG 323) By: Maitanmi, B.T.  Introduction to Human Behaviour  Is as any activity a living organism manifest either consciously or unconsciously which can be observed either directly or indirectly by another person.  Is the action or reaction of a person in response to external or internal stimulus situation i.e. the interaction of the individual and his perceived environment.  Introduction to Human Behaviour Contd. Human behaviour could either be: -inborn or acquired positive or negative -normal or abnormal -internal or external.  Behaviour is mostly influenced by the nature of the person and the situation.  It may range from such simple activities such as; sleeping, playing with a friend, to complex ones like: acquiring a new skill, educating young children, managing a big organization etc.  Behaviour can be genetically inherited or socially acquired. Genetically Inherited Behaviour  These behaviours are transferred from parents to their offspring through genes or peculiar to people of the same origin. For example; pronunciation of words, irrespective educational background or social orientation.  Other behaviour traits such as stammering, kleptomania, excessively anxious, high/low intelligent quotient, etc., can be genetically transferred from parents to their immediate off-spring or to their second or third generation.  There is also higher tendency of twin birth for individuals whose parent is a twin.  Socially Acquired Behaviour  There are some behaviours that are acquired either consciously or unconsciously while interacting with people of different socio-cultural groups and backgrounds.  It also includes behaviours developed through the process of formal learning and socialization. For example, language skill is developed by interacting with or learning from people that use the very language.  It also include: mode of dressing, choice of food and the way individuals eat.  Likewise, certain unwanted habits are acquired as people interact and socialize with other individuals.  Classification of Human Behaviour  Molecular and Moral Behaviour  Overt and Covert Behaviour  Voluntary and Involuntary Behaviour  Formal and Informal Behaviour  Conscious and Unconscious  Verbal and Non-verbal  Normal and Abnormal  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Molecular and Moral Behaviour  Molecular Behaviour: It is an unexpected/sudden behaviour that occurs without thinking. E.g. sudden closing of the eyes when something is about to entering the eyes (reflex action).  Moral Behaviour: This type of human behaviour occurs with a thinking process or occurs after thinking. For example, a person changes lifestyle when a harmful thing is seen or perceived.  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Overt and Covert Behaviour  Overt Behaviour: This includes activities or actions which can be observed directly by another person as they are being manifested. For instance: walking, running, laughing, crying, eating, cooking, reading, etc. -People’s assessment and interactions with others are largely based on their overt behaviours.  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Covert Behaviour: This includes activities involving internal physiological processes of individual that cannot be seen openly or observed directly by merely looking except by the use of special instruments or techniques. E.g. thinking, dreaming, heart-beat, changes in pulse rate and blood pressure, processes of digestion, feeling of hunger etc.  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Voluntary and Involuntary Behaviour  Voluntary Behaviour: It is a type of behaviour that depends on human want. Example is: walking, speaking, and writing.  Involuntary Behaviour: this type occurs naturally and without thinking. Breathing air is a perfect example of involuntary behaviour.  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Formal and Informal Behaviour  Formal behaviour follows certain laid down principles aimed at achieving a particular goal or objectives. For instance, our behaviours at learning or working situations are usually formal in nature while  informal behaviour include those ones expressed as we interact with others or relate with our social environment casually. -Informal behaviour does not follow any laid down rules or principle. For example, street fighting, joking with play-mates, etc.  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Conscious and Unconscious  Conscious :this refers to a state of being aware of a stimulus or event. For example, a hungry or sick person is very likely to be aware, which in turn triggers behaviours necessary for that particular stimulus. (i.e. eats when hungry or visits the health professional when sick).  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Unconscious: the person is unaware of a stimulus or event. Interestingly, certain body languages that people exhibit could be categorized here. For example, an anxious person may be unaware to the fact that he or she is exhibiting certain behaviours like: tapping the foot, biting the fingers, sweating, tic(vocal or motor) etc.  Also, a complete state of unconsciousness is best described while sleeping, if not rudely woken by a loud sound.  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Voluntary and Involuntary  Voluntary : here, behaviour is performed willingly and controlled, and not forced. For example: a student must be willing to learn and when forced could lead to school drop-out or exam malpractices.  Involuntary : this refers to actions or behaviour performed suddenly without an ability to be controlled. For example: a sudden sharp pain could trigger uncontrollable response like jerking or screaming.  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Verbal and Non-verbal  Verbal : this means that human behaviour requires a language to express feelings and emotions. Lower animal also use a form of language to express feelings and emotions but human language appears to be more conscious and definitive. Verbal expression also stimulates good Nurse/patient relationship and helps provide more quality care.  Non-verbal :This type of behaviour can sometimes be observed through body languages and facial gesture.  Classification of Human Behaviour contd.  Normal and Abnormal  Normal behaviour: refers to expected activities that conforms to given norm of a society. For example, it is normal for a child to bed wet at certain age or generally behave like a child but such behaviour could be frowned at when exhibited by an adult(Regression).  Abnormal behaviour: refers to those activities that are different from the usual or expected. That is, they are seen to be a deviation from the norm. Principles guiding Human Behaviour The following are the basic principles guiding behaviour.  Stimulus and Response  Innate and Learned Behaviour  Reflex Behaviour  Stimulus and Response A stimulus is any phenomenon/event that directly influences the internal or external environmental activity or growth of a living organism. For instance; chemicals, heat, light, pressure, and gravity can all serve as stimuli.  All creatures are capable of automatic responses to stimuli. When a person inhales dust, pepper, or something to which he or she is allergic, a sneeze follows.  The person may suppress sneezing (which is not a good practice, since it puts a strain on blood vessels in the head), but this does not stop the body from responding automatically to the irritating stimulus by initiating a sneeze.  Innate and Learned Behaviour  Behaviour can be categorized as either innate (inborn) or learned, but the distinction is frequently unclear  Behaviouris considered innate/inborn when it is present and complete without any experience. E.g. at about four weeks old, human babies smile spontaneously at a pleasing stimulus.  Lower animals that lack a well-developed nervous system rely on innate behaviour.  Higheranimals, on the other hand, use both innate and learned behaviour. A fish is born knowing how to swim, whereas a human or a giraffe must learn how to walk.  Reflex Behaviour  These are behaviours that usually occur as direct and immediate responses to particular stimuli uniquely correlated with them.  Theresponses to stimuli are involuntary or free from conscious control (e.g., the salivation that occurs with the presentation of food) and therefore serve as the basis for classical conditioning by Pavlov.  These neurons send signals across the body, or to various parts of the body. For example, when food in the mouth stimulates the salivary glands to produce saliva or when a hand is pulled away rapidly from a hot object.  Classical conditioning Classical conditioning is a type of unconscious or automatic learning. This learning process creates a conditioned response through associations between an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus.  UnconditionedStimulus: This is a stimulus that leads to an automatic response. E.g., a cold breeze makes one shiver.  Neutral Stimulus: is a stimulus that does not initially trigger a response on its own.  Conditioned Stimulus: is a stimulus(dog) that was once neutral e.g., a dog bite makes one feel frightened every time you see a dog, the dog has become a conditioned stimulus.  Unconditioned Response: is an automatic response or a response that occurs without thought when an unconditioned stimulus is present. If you smell your favorite food and your mouth starts watering, the watering is an unconditioned response.  Conditioned Response: is a learned response or a response.  Characteristics of Human Behaviour  Behaviour is influenced by a number of factors  Behaviour varies with complexities  Thefactors influencing behaviour are of different kinds(physiological or psychological)  Individual differences  Behaviour is always purposeful or goal directed  Behaviour is changeable to a large extent  Behaviour also shows stability  Characteristics of Human Behaviour contd. Behaviour is influenced by a number of factors  Human behaviour is influenced by the following factors: emotional, environmental, social, cultural, personal and economical  Fewer factors include: picking up a fight or ignoring the trouble maker  Characteristics of Human Behaviour contd. Behaviour varies with complexities  Thisinvolves taking decision and acting fast on it. Behaviour ranges in the degree of complexity from simple to complex behaviour and is influenced by a large number of factors. e.g.one’s position as the ‘’Charge’’. Examples of a complex behaviour may be seen in complex decision-making activities, such as a judge who delivers a judgement considering a number of factors.  Characteristics of Human Behaviour contd. The factors influencing behaviour are of different kinds(physiological or psychological )  Human behaviour is influenced by either physiological or psychological factor. -Physiological factors relate to the physical or biological needs such as hunger, thirst, shelter, air. etc. -Psychological factors relate to factors such as ideas, opinions, attitudes, motivation, perception, belief e.tc.  Characteristics of Human Behaviour contd. Individual differences  Thisvary from one person to another and even from one group of people to another group of people.  Itcan also be from individual’s personality traits, past experiences, abilities, social background and inherited factors.  Itis therefore natural that individuals do not behave alike.  Characteristics of Human Behaviour contd. Behaviour is always purposeful or goal directed  Human behaviour is always purposeful and one’s actions are always directed towards a particular goal.  purposive nature of behaviour are used in terms of: instinct, drive, need, motive etc.  They are also influenced by both hereditary and environmental factors while others are purely learnt and acquired.  Characteristics of Human Behaviour contd. Behaviour is changeable to a large extent  A number of factors influence human behaviour. In view of this it is possible to change behaviour by modifying these factors.  Experience which result in positive/negative learning can be influenced by culture, friends/families, life events.  Physical factors - age, health/illness or lifestyle adopted.  personal and emotional factors - personality, beliefs, expectations, emotions, mental health.  Human wants(Maslow hierarchy of needs)  Characteristics of Human Behaviour contd. Behaviour also shows stability  While behaviour of people changes, at the same time there is also certain stability in behaviour. It does not change with every change in the environment nor do all forms of behaviour change.  Human behaviour shows a lot of stability.  Ifhuman behaviour was not stable there would be confusion and people would not be able to live with each other. Characteristics of Human Behaviour contd. Behaviour is Integrated This involves combining individual behaviours into a whole to allow for coordination which will lead to consistency, stability and uniqueness.  Human behaviour, is influenced by a number of factors. It is influenced by a variety of purposes.  Every human being has physiological, psychological, personal and social purposes.  Concept of Health and Illness  Health according to the World Health Organization defines health is a “state of complete physical, psychological and social well - being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.  Illness is an unhealthy condition of the body or mind OR  Is a feeling or experience of unhealth which is entirely personal and interior to the person. Often, it accompanies disease, but the disease may be undeclared, as in the early stages of cancer  How is behaviour related to health and illness?  Healthbehaviour is any activity undertaken by a person believing himself to be healthy, for the purpose of preventing disease or detecting it in an asymptomatic stage OR  Actionsadopted by individuals, groups, and organizations, as well as the determinants/consequences of these actions which include social change, policy development and implementation, improved coping skills and enhanced quality of life. How is behaviour related to health and illness?  Illness behaviour refers to the way in which symptoms are perceived, evaluated and acted upon by a person who recognizes some pain, discomfort or other signs of organic malfunction and discovering a suitable remedy.  Human behaviour in Health & Illness  Health psychology is the study of psychological and behavioural processes in health, illness, and healthcare.  It is concerned with understanding how psychological, behavioural, and cultural factors contribute to physical health or illness.  Psychological factors can affect health directly. For example, chronically occurring environmental stressors can harm health.  Behavioural factors can also affect a person's health positively of negatively. For example, certain behaviours like smoking or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol will lead to ill health while engaging in exercise will enhance health.