Lec 1- behavioural-sciences-introduction.pdf

Social and Behavioral Sciences Social and Behavioral Sciences explore the interactions among individuals and societies, examining how social influences affect behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. Behavioral science is the study of human behavior through systematic analysis a...

Social and Behavioral Sciences Social and Behavioral Sciences explore the interactions among individuals and societies, examining how social influences affect behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. Behavioral science is the study of human behavior through systematic analysis and investigation. It seeks to understand how people make decisions, interact, and respond to different environments. Behavioral science is essential for addressing complex societal challenges by providing evidence-based strategies for change. Sciences concerned with the study, observation and explanation of human behaviours either in single individuals or in groups  SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES While it is undoubtedly true that a biomedical perspective dominated public health in the first half of the twentieth century, there has emerged, largely since World War II, a social science perspective in public health. This perspective has developed in departments of social and community medicine in Europe and in schools of public health in the United States, and it is reflected in the growth of the behavioral and social sciences in the curricula for public health professional and research degrees.  Why Is Social and Behavioral Science? A developed understanding of human behavior can serve as a powerful tool for those who wish to influence people’s health choices. Many chronic diseases are the result of personal behaviors. By addressing those behaviors, many leading risk factors for illnesses can be prevented or controlled. For example, activity levels, diet, alcohol use, smoking, sleeping habits, seatbelt use: all of these factors and many more affect people’s well-being. It helps to understand the psychology and other motivations behind people’s actions. With such knowledge, public health professionals can develop strategic initiatives that shift people’s choices and behaviors, and ultimately improve their health. Importance: The Importance of Social and Behavioral Sciences can be as follow: Understanding human behavior Identifying factors that influence behaviors like knowledge, attitudes, personality and norms, etc. Developing targeted interventions to promote healthier lifestyles. Improving policies and decision-making Personal growth and development Solving social problems  Behavioral Science “The application of scientific principles to the study of the behaviour of organisms”. (Oxford Reference) “a branch of science (such as psychology, sociology, or anthropology) that deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior in society” (Merriam-webster dictionary)  Behavioural Sciences It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behaviour through controlled and experimental observations and rigorous formulations. Behavioral scientists study when and why individuals engage in specific behaviors by experimentally examining the impact of factors such as conscious thoughts, motivation, social influences, contextual effects, and habits.  Behavioral Science Behavioral science describes the study of human behavior through the use of systematic experimentation and observation. Behavioural sciences encompass all the disciplines that explore the activities of and interactions among organisms in the natural world.  Which Disciplines Are Included in the Field of Behavioral Science? Behavioral science is a broad field, with many disciplines under its umbrella that all address human actions in some way. Behavioral science, any of various disciplines dealing with the subject of human actions, usually including the fields of sociology, social and cultural anthropology, psychology, and behavioral aspects of biology, economics, geography, law, psychiatry, and political science.  Spectrum of Behavioural Sciences Psychology The scientific study of the mind and behavior, according to the APA, explores human development, health, and cognition. Psychology strives to achieve four principle goals: Describe people’s behaviors, as well as the behaviors of subsets of people, to identify normal and abnormal behavior and gain insight into people’s thoughts and actions Explain why people think and react as they do, and understand what influences their personalities and states of mind Predict how behaviors will appear in the future by observing past behaviors, and better understand why, when, and how behaviors might appear in the future Change or positively influence people’s behaviors to improve their lives  Spectrum of Behavioural Sciences Psychiatry is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. Psychiatry involves the diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. This discipline studies the connections between the mind and the brain (i.e., the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions and neural functioning). Common Mental Health Conditions Treated by Psychiatrists: Mood Disorders: Depression, bipolar disorder, etc. Anxiety Disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Psychotic Disorders: Schizophrenia, delusional disorder  Spectrum of Behavioural Sciences Sociology Sociology examines how societies develop, organize themselves, and function. It involves studying the interactions between the people within a society and the processes which maintain and change society. Sociology looks at different segments within a society to understand their dynamics, such as its: Institutions Populations Age groups, Gender groups Family Communities Social status; social movements; social problems  Spectrum of Behavioural Sciences Biology Biology is the study of living things and the processes that keep them alive. The discipline examines the structure, growth, reproduction, and behavior of people, animals, plants, and organisms. Biology also looks closely at how genetics, adaptation, and environment affect living things. Behavioral Neuroscience Examines how the brain and nervous system affect behavior. Studies the role of genetics and neurochemistry. Focus: Biological bases of behavior.  Spectrum of Behavioural Sciences Anthropology: The study of the origins, history, mechanisms and constitution of human cultures. Human cultures and societies, past and present. ❖Social and cultural anthropology explore the many aspects of culture, including: Language Social structures Customs Rules of behavior Belief system Economics Analyzes decision-making and behavioral economics. Studies how incentives and market forces shape behavior. Focus: Production, distribution, and consumption of resources.  Spectrum of Behavioural Sciences Behavioral Epidemiology Epidemiology is the study of illness or events in defined population. Behavioral Epidemiology investigate the behavioral factors in health, such as lifestyle choices and disease prevention. Criminology Criminology seeks to understand crime. Specifically, it analyzes how, why, and when crime happens. In addition to understanding the causes of crime, criminology also examines its impact on victims, society, and the criminals themselves. ❖ Some additional focus areas in criminology include: Types of crimes Location of crimes Governmental, individual, and societal reactions to crime Frequency of crimes  Core Concepts Family: A family is a group of two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption who live together Society: A group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction. Culture: Shared practices, values, and beliefs. Social Institutions: Family, education, religion, and government. A social relation: Describes voluntary or involuntary relationship between two or more individuals within and/or between groups. Status: The relative social position or rank of an individual or group. Norms: Social rules that define acceptable behavior. Values: Core beliefs that guide individuals and societies.  What is Human Behavior? According to one definition; behavior can be defined as "the actions or reactions of a person in response to external or internal stimulus situation.” Behaviour refers to the actions or reactions of an object or organism, usually in relation to the environment. To understand the behavior of a person we have to understand what that person will do if something happens.  Human Behaviour Human behavior, the observable actions and reactions of individuals, is a complex phenomenon influenced by a multitude of factors, including biology, psychology, sociology, and culture. To understand and study human behavior, it is essential to classify it into various categories. Human behaviour is the collection of behaviors exhibited by human beings. Behaviour can be: 1. Overt or covert, 2. Conscious or unconscious, (Voluntary or involuntary). Human Behaviour The behavior of people can falls within a range: Common X unusual, Acceptable X outside acceptability The acceptability of behaviour and normativity is evaluated relative to social and moral norms and regulated by various means of social control. Social behaviour is behavior specifically directed at other people.  1. Voluntary and Involuntary Behaviors Voluntary Behaviors: Actions performed with conscious control and intention. It Can be modified through learning and experience. Examples: Deliberate speaking, physical exercise, and decision- making. Involuntary Behaviors: Actions that occur without conscious control. Examples: Breathing, reflexes like blinking, and heart rate regulation. Key Differences Voluntary behaviors are controlled consciously, while involuntary behaviors occur automatically. Voluntary behaviors often serve specific goals, whereas involuntary behaviors maintain basic physiological functions and often essential for survival.  2. Overt and Covert Behaviors Overt Behaviors: Observable actions and responses that can be seen or measured directly. Examples: Speaking, walking, facial expressions, and gestures. Covert Behaviors: Internal actions and responses that are not directly observable. Examples: Thinking, dreaming, and feeling. Key Differences Overt behaviors are visible, while covert behaviors are hidden. Overt behaviors can be measured directly, whereas covert behaviors require indirect methods like self-reports or physiological measures.  Influences on Behavior Biological Influences: Factors such as age, sex, and genetics can influence people’s behavior and emotions. For example, people inherit characteristics that influence behavior traits such as impulsiveness or reticence. Societal Influences: People may change their behavior and ideas to fit into a social group. People may also shift their decisions or attitudes to meet the demands of their own social roles or perceived authority.  Influences on Behavior Many factors influence people’s choices. Social and behavioral scientists study factors such as the following: Psychological Influences: Factors such as motivation can determine what a person chooses to do or not do. Unmet needs tend to motivate people into action and affect their behavior. A belief in one’s ability to achieve a task also plays a role in influencing choices and behavior. Behavioral influences: People’s values, their assessment of risk, the extent to which a choice conflicts with their beliefs or attitudes, and their culture can all play a role in how people behave and the choices they make.  Human Behaviour Human behavior is influenced by a variety of factors, including: Biological Factors: Genetics and Neurobiology Psychological Factors Personality; Motivation, Emotions. Social Factors Family, Peer Influence, Cultural Norms. Environmental Factors Surroundings can encourage or discourage certain behaviors, Socioeconomic Status; Access to resources and opportunities. Situational Factors Context; Pressure (External pressures can lead to different behavioral responses). Lewin’s Behavior Equation: A Simple Model Of Human Behavior Kurt Lewin, a prominent social psychologist, proposed a simple yet powerful equation to explain human behavior. This equation states: Behavior (B) is a function (f) of the Person (P) and the Environment (E). B = f(P, E) In simpler terms, a person's behavior is influenced by both their individual characteristics (e.g., personality, motivation, experiences) and the external factors surrounding them (e.g., social norms, physical environment, cultural context). In this model “P” includes the entirety of the person including their past, their present, their expectations of the future, their personality, their capabilities, their motivations, their desires, and so on. And “E” includes all aspects of the person’s environment at the time of any behavior including their physical environment, but also their social environment and contexts.  One way to think about this is that the exact same individual can behave in very different ways if their environment changes and, similarly, an individual can behave in very different ways in the exact same situation as they change as a person over time. Socioeconomic Status Greater economic wealth generally leads to: Healthier living conditions Greater access to healthcare/preventive healthcare. Higher education Healthier eating habits/better nutritional intake. Lower socioeconomic status generally leads to: Increased exposure to health hazards at work and home. Poor nutritional intake Lower educational levels Lack of healthcare/preventive health services Culture Culture, a shared set of beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors, significantly influences how people think, feel, and act. It provides a framework for understanding the world, making decisions, and interacting with others. Culture may have on health includes: Food preparation View of obesity Distortion of body parts (binding of feet in China, female genital mutilation, neck stretching, unsanitary piercing of body parts, etc.) Reaction to symptoms/urgency to react to seek treatment Cultural beliefs and attitudes about mental health can influence help-seeking behaviors and treatment outcomes. Types of interventions that are acceptable Religion Religion, as a system of beliefs and practices, can significantly influence individual behaviors and, consequently, public health outcomes. Here are some key areas of consideration: Preventive behaviors: Religious teachings often emphasize healthy behaviors, such as avoiding substances, maintaining a balanced diet, and maintain life and health. Treatment seeking: Religious beliefs can influence when and where individuals seek medical care, as well as their acceptance of different treatment modalities. Religious communities can provide social support, which has been linked to improved mental and physical health outcomes.  Peers Peers have a significant impact on human behavior and health in several ways: Peer Pressure: Direct or indirect pressure can lead to adopting unhealthy habits or positive changes. People often mimic behaviors observed in peers, such as smoking or drinking. Friends can influence eating habits and physical activity levels. Emotional Support: Positive peer relationships can improve mental health and resilience. Motivation: Encouragement from friends can help in achieving health goals, like quitting smoking or losing weight.  Positive Reinforcement Get something good (desired) Increase Behavior Negative Reinforcement Avoid something bad (desired) Penalty Lose something good (undesired) Decrease Behavior Punishment Get something bad (undesired)  What Is Behavioral Science & How Does It Relate to Public Health? In their quest to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life, public health experts study and apply specialized concepts to address public health issues. Social and behavioral sciences also play a role in public health. In fact, that role is essential. Understanding what behavioral science is, and knowing how to apply it, offers an important tool for those who develop public health initiatives. Behavioral science aims to better understand human behavior and the driving forces behind it.  Applying Behavioral Science to Public Health Public health professionals study behavioral science research and data to understand public health issues that affect individuals. In this way, they learn about behavioral science-based interventions that can help prevent persistent health concerns such as heart disease, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancer. Public health professionals then apply this knowledge to promote health awareness and prevent disease in the communities they serve. Applications Policy Making: Use of research to inform and improve public policies. Public Health: Understanding behavioral factors in health and disease prevention. Education: Applying psychological and social insights in teaching. Business and Marketing: Consumer behavior analysis and strategic planning.  Summary Social and behavioral sciences are essential for public health professionals as they provide insights into human behavior and societal influences on health. These disciplines help in understanding how psychological, social, and cultural factors impact health outcomes and behaviors. Innovating solutions to public health challenges call for a multidisciplinary approach. Public health experts must harness the power of what behavioral science is, along with their advanced understanding of the determinants of health. Cultivating the expertise to develop and implement health interventions that integrate the power of several disciplines takes the right education.