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Handout on Behavioral Sciences (BHS 122) for Nursing Students

Contents

Introduction to Behavioral Sciences

Behavioral sciences focus on understanding human behavior, emotions, and social interactions. In the field of nursing, behavioral sciences are crucial for enhancing communication, managing patient care, and collaborating effectively with other healthcare professionals. By understanding psychology, sociology, human growth, and personality development, nursing students can develop the skills and attitudes needed to provide holistic care.

This handout provides an in-depth look at essential behavioral science concepts and aligns with the Ghana Nurses and Midwifery Council (NMC) Curriculum, ensuring students gain a comprehensive understanding of these critical areas.

1. Development and Scope of Psychology and Sociology

a. Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. It helps in understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in various situations. In nursing, psychology plays a crucial role in patient care, helping nurses understand the emotional and mental states of their patients, which directly influences treatment and recovery.

Scope of Psychology in Nursing:

  • Behavioral Understanding: Helps nurses interpret patients’ behaviors, emotions, and responses to illness.
  • Patient Communication: Understanding psychological principles can enhance communication between the nurse and patient.
  • Mental Health Management: Nurses equipped with psychological knowledge can identify mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress, which are common in hospitalized patients.

Read Also: Therapeutic Communication Handout

b. Sociology

Sociology is the study of society, social institutions, and relationships. It examines how social factors such as family, community, and culture influence individuals’ behavior and health.

Scope of Sociology in Nursing:

  • Social Health Determinants: Sociology helps nurses understand how factors such as socioeconomic status, education, and family structure impact health outcomes.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: By studying sociology, nurses learn to be culturally sensitive and provide care that respects patients’ backgrounds and beliefs.
  • Healthcare as a Social System: Nurses must understand hospitals and healthcare systems as social organizations with hierarchies, rules, and interpersonal dynamics that influence patient care.

2. Human Growth and Development

Human growth and development focus on the physical, emotional, and psychological changes that occur throughout a person’s life. Nurses must understand these stages to provide age-appropriate care and support patients in various developmental phases.

a. Basic Concepts: Growth, Development, Maturation

  • Growth: Refers to the physical changes that occur in the body, such as an increase in height and weight.
  • Development: Involves the progression of emotional, intellectual, and social capabilities.
  • Maturation: Refers to the biological and psychological development processes that follow a predictable sequence over time.

b. Principles Underlying Growth and Development

  1. Sequential and Predictable: Growth and development occur in a structured, orderly sequence.
  2. Individual Differences: Every individual develops at their own pace, influenced by various factors.
  3. Critical Periods: Certain stages of development are critical for the acquisition of specific skills or abilities.
  4. Lifespan Approach: Development is a continuous process that occurs throughout the lifespan, from infancy to old age.

c. Factors Influencing Growth and Development: Heredity and Environment

  • Heredity: Genetic factors that determine physical traits, such as height, eye color, and susceptibility to certain diseases.
  • Environment: External influences, including family, education, social relationships, and culture, play a significant role in shaping an individual’s development.

d. Stages of Growth and Development

  1. Infancy (0-2 years): Rapid physical growth, cognitive development, and emotional bonding with caregivers.
  2. Early Childhood (2-6 years): Language development, motor skills, and social interactions begin to flourish.
  3. Adolescence (12-18 years): Puberty, identity formation, and emotional volatility are common during this stage.
  4. Adulthood (18+ years): Maturity in thought processes, social relationships, and responsibility.

3. Personality Development

Personality refers to the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s distinctive character. Nurses must understand personality development to better interact with patients, colleagues, and the healthcare team.

a. Definition of Personality

Personality is defined as the unique set of characteristics that influence an individual’s behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. These traits remain relatively stable throughout life, although they may evolve due to personal experiences and environmental factors.

b. Personality Theories

Several theories explain how personalities are formed and developed. Understanding these theories helps nurses interact with patients in a more meaningful way.

i. Psychoanalytic Theory (Freud)
  • Sigmund Freud’s theory emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior. It divides personality into three parts: the id (instinctual drives), ego (rational thought), and superego (moral conscience).
    • Application in Nursing: Nurses can use Freud’s theory to understand how unconscious fears and desires may influence patient behavior, particularly in stressful or anxiety-provoking situations.
ii. Psychosocial Theory (Erikson)
  • Erik Erikson proposed eight stages of psychosocial development, each characterized by a conflict that must be resolved for healthy personality development (e.g., trust vs. mistrust in infancy, identity vs. role confusion in adolescence).
    • Application in Nursing: Erikson’s theory helps nurses recognize the emotional and psychological challenges that patients may face at different stages of life and provide age-appropriate care and support.
iii. Cognitive Theory (Jean Piaget)
  • Jean Piaget focused on cognitive development and how individuals think and reason. His theory identifies four stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.
    • Application in Nursing: Nurses can use Piaget’s theory to tailor communication and patient education based on the patient’s cognitive abilities.
iv. Moral Development Theory (Kohlberg)
  • Lawrence Kohlberg focused on how individuals develop moral reasoning through three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.
    • Application in Nursing: Understanding Kohlberg’s stages of moral development helps nurses respect patients’ ethical beliefs and decisions regarding healthcare, particularly in complex or end-of-life situations.

4. Learning and Memory

Learning and memory are essential components of human behavior, and nurses need to understand how individuals learn and retain information, particularly when educating patients about their health conditions.

a. Factors Influencing Learning and Memory

  1. Attention: The ability to focus on specific information is critical for learning.
  2. Motivation: Individuals are more likely to learn when they are motivated or interested in the subject matter.
  3. Repetition: Repeating information helps reinforce learning and improve memory retention.
  4. Environment: Learning is influenced by the physical and emotional environment, such as the presence of distractions or stress.

b. Theories of Learning and Memory

Several theories explain how people acquire, retain, and recall information:

i. Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
  • Learning occurs when a neutral stimulus is paired with a conditioned response. For example, Pavlov’s dogs learned to associate the sound of a bell with food, eventually salivating at the sound alone.
    • Application in Nursing: Classical conditioning can help explain how patients develop certain responses to healthcare environments (e.g., fear of hospitals due to past negative experiences).
ii. Operant Conditioning (Skinner)
  • Behavior is shaped by reinforcement and punishment. Positive reinforcement encourages the repetition of a behavior, while punishment decreases the likelihood of a behavior.
    • Application in Nursing: Nurses can use reinforcement to encourage healthy behaviors in patients (e.g., rewarding compliance with medication regimens).
iii. Social Learning Theory (Bandura)
  • People learn by observing others, particularly role models. Bandura’s theory emphasizes the importance of imitation and modeling in learning new behaviors.
    • Application in Nursing: Nurses act as role models, demonstrating positive health behaviors that patients can learn and adopt.

5. Motivation

Motivation refers to the internal processes that guide and direct behavior towards achieving specific goals. In nursing, understanding what motivates patients can help nurses encourage healthier behaviors and support recovery.

a. Explanation of Motivation

Motivation is the driving force behind human actions, whether it’s intrinsic (internal desires, such as the need for personal satisfaction) or extrinsic (external factors, such as rewards or punishments). In healthcare, motivation influences patient behavior, such as adherence to treatment plans or lifestyle changes.

  • Intrinsic Motivation: Comes from within the individual, such as the desire to improve personal health.
    • Example: A patient who is motivated to quit smoking to improve their lung function.
  • Extrinsic Motivation: Involves external incentives or pressures, such as rewards, praise, or the avoidance of negative outcomes.
    • Example: A patient who follows a diet because their doctor advised that failure to do so may lead to complications like heart disease.

b. Theories of Motivation

There are several key theories that explain how motivation works:

i. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
  • Abraham Maslow proposed that human motivation is driven by the desire to satisfy a series of hierarchical needs. These needs are arranged in order of priority, starting with basic physiological needs and progressing to self-actualization.
    • Physiological Needs: Food, water, shelter, and clothing.
    • Safety Needs: Security and protection from harm.
    • Love and Belonging Needs: Friendship, family, and social connections.
    • Esteem Needs: Achievement, status, and recognition.
    • Self-Actualization: Personal growth and fulfillment.

    Application in Nursing: Nurses can use Maslow’s theory to prioritize patient care. For example, a patient’s basic needs (nutrition, hydration, and safety) must be met before addressing emotional or psychological needs.

ii. Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
  • Frederick Herzberg developed a theory of workplace motivation that includes two sets of factors:
    • Hygiene Factors: These do not lead to satisfaction but prevent dissatisfaction when present (e.g., salary, working conditions).
    • Motivators: These factors lead to job satisfaction (e.g., achievement, recognition).

    Application in Nursing: In a healthcare setting, Herzberg’s theory can be applied to both patients and healthcare staff. For example, recognizing the achievements of nursing staff can improve job satisfaction and motivation.

iii. Self-Determination Theory
  • This theory emphasizes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in motivating individuals to take action.
    • Application in Nursing: Nurses can enhance patient motivation by encouraging patients to take control of their health decisions and by providing guidance to develop competence in managing their conditions.

c. Importance of Motivation in Nursing

Motivation plays a key role in patient recovery and adherence to care plans. Nurses who understand what motivates their patients can develop individualized care plans that enhance compliance and overall health outcomes.

  • Example: A nurse working with a diabetic patient may motivate the patient to adhere to dietary changes by explaining how these changes can prevent long-term complications like neuropathy or kidney disease.

6. Socialization

Socialization refers to the process through which individuals learn the values, behaviors, and norms of their society. In healthcare, socialization plays a critical role in shaping how nurses interact with colleagues, patients, and the healthcare system.

a. Functions/Importance of Socialization

Socialization helps individuals understand their roles and responsibilities in society, including the workplace. In nursing, socialization ensures that nurses adopt professional values and behaviors that are crucial for effective teamwork and patient care.

  • Example in Nursing: Nursing students undergo socialization as they transition from education to practice. They learn not only clinical skills but also the norms, expectations, and ethics of the nursing profession.

b. Socialization in Nursing and Midwifery

Socialization in nursing involves adopting the culture, values, and practices of the nursing profession. This process begins during training and continues throughout a nurse’s career.

  • Professional Identity: Nurses develop a professional identity as they become socialized into the healthcare environment. This includes adopting ethical standards, understanding the nurse-patient relationship, and working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.
  • Teamwork: Through socialization, nurses learn to collaborate effectively with colleagues, contribute to a positive work environment, and provide high-quality patient care.

7. Healthcare Team

The healthcare team is made up of various professionals working together to deliver comprehensive patient care. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of each team member is essential for effective collaboration and patient outcomes.

a. Members of the Healthcare Team

  • Doctors: Diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans.
  • Nurses: Provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor patient progress, and advocate for patients.
  • Pharmacists: Dispense medications and provide information about drug interactions, side effects, and proper use.
  • Allied Health Professionals: Include physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and lab technicians who provide specialized services.
  • Social Workers: Assist patients and families with emotional support, resources, and referrals for additional services.
  • Administrative Staff: Coordinate hospital operations, manage patient records, and ensure smooth communication between departments.

Collaboration within the healthcare team is critical for delivering comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of a patient’s health. Effective teamwork leads to better decision-making, fewer medical errors, and improved patient outcomes.

  • Example: In managing a diabetic patient, the nurse collaborates with the dietitian to develop a meal plan, the doctor for medication management, and the pharmacist for monitoring drug interactions.

8. Hospital as a Social System

Hospitals are complex social systems where individuals from various disciplines work together to deliver care. Understanding the hospital as a social system helps nurses navigate the organizational structures and interpersonal relationships that influence patient care.

a. Sociology of Hospital Organization

Hospitals are structured into hierarchies and departments that function together to achieve common goals. These social structures include:

  • Formal Structure: Defined roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships (e.g., the chain of command from nurses to doctors to hospital administration).
  • Informal Structure: Social networks and personal relationships within the workplace that influence communication and collaboration.

Nurses must be able to navigate both formal and informal structures to function effectively within the hospital. Understanding the dynamics of hospital organization allows nurses to communicate effectively, manage conflict, and advocate for patients.

b. The Hospital Organization and Its Impact on Doctor-Nurse Relationships

The relationship between doctors and nurses is central to the functioning of the hospital. While doctors traditionally have authority in making medical decisions, nurses play a critical role in patient care and advocacy. Collaborative relationships based on mutual respect and communication improve patient outcomes.

  • Example: A nurse notices that a patient’s condition is worsening and communicates this to the doctor, leading to a timely adjustment in the treatment plan.

9. Conflict and Conflict Management

Conflict is an inevitable part of healthcare settings, where high-stress environments, diverse perspectives, and hierarchical structures often lead to disagreements. Conflict management skills are essential for maintaining a positive work environment and delivering quality patient care.

a. Explanation of Conflict

Conflict arises when individuals or groups have differing opinions, needs, or goals that clash. In healthcare, conflicts can occur between team members, departments, or even between healthcare providers and patients.

b. Types of Conflict

  1. Interpersonal Conflict: Occurs between individuals due to differences in personalities, communication styles, or values.
    • Example: A nurse and a doctor disagree on the best approach to a patient’s treatment plan.
  2. Intrapersonal Conflict: Internal conflict that occurs when an individual faces competing demands or stress.
    • Example: A nurse struggling to balance work demands with personal responsibilities.
  3. Intergroup Conflict: Occurs between different departments or groups within an organization.
    • Example: Conflict between the nursing department and the administration over staffing levels.

c. Management of Conflict

Effective conflict management is crucial for maintaining a positive working environment and ensuring patient safety. Techniques include:

  • Communication: Open, honest communication is key to resolving misunderstandings and finding common ground.
  • Negotiation: Finding a compromise that satisfies the needs of both parties.
  • Collaboration: Working together to address the root causes of conflict and develop mutually beneficial solutions.
  • Mediation: Involving a neutral third party to facilitate discussions and help resolve the conflict.

Example in Nursing: If a conflict arises between a nurse and a physician over a patient’s care plan, effective conflict management would involve open communication, respect for both perspectives, and a collaborative approach to finding the best solution for the patient.

10. Social Factors Influencing Health

Social factors have a profound impact on an individual’s health and well-being. Nurses must consider these factors when assessing patients and developing care plans.

a. Attitudes Towards Health, Disability, and Illness

Cultural and societal attitudes towards health, disability, and illness can influence how individuals seek care and manage their health. Understanding these attitudes allows nurses to provide culturally sensitive care and address potential barriers to treatment.

  • Example: In some cultures, mental illness is stigmatized, which may prevent individuals from seeking psychiatric care. Nurses need to be aware of these attitudes and provide appropriate support.

b. The Sick Role

The sick role is a sociological concept that describes the behaviors and expectations of individuals who are ill. In many societies, people

expect to receive care and support while they are sick, but they also have certain responsibilities, such as seeking medical help and adhering to treatment plans.

  • Example: A patient diagnosed with a chronic illness may experience a change in their role within the family and community, impacting their mental and emotional health.

c. Other Factors Influencing Health

Several other social factors can significantly influence health, including:

  1. Family: Family dynamics, support systems, and health histories can affect an individual’s health behaviors and access to care.
  2. Peers: Peer influences can impact lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and substance use.
  3. Role Models: Positive role models can encourage healthy behaviors, while negative role models may promote risky behaviors.
  4. Community Members: The overall health of a community can influence individual health outcomes. Access to healthcare resources, recreational facilities, and nutritious food availability plays a crucial role in promoting community health.

11. National Health Policies

National health policies play a crucial role in guiding healthcare delivery and ensuring that health services meet the needs of the population. Understanding these policies helps nurses advocate for patients and improve health outcomes.

a. National Health Insurance

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana aims to provide equitable access to healthcare services for all citizens. It reduces financial barriers to accessing health services and improves health outcomes.

b. Maternal and Child Health Policy

This policy focuses on improving the health of mothers and children through initiatives such as antenatal care, immunizations, and nutrition programs. It emphasizes the importance of safe motherhood and child survival.

c. Child and Family Welfare Policy

This policy promotes the well-being of children and families through services that address education, health, and social support. It aims to ensure that children grow up in safe and nurturing environments.

d. National Immunization Policy

The National Immunization Policy outlines the strategies for delivering vaccines to prevent common childhood diseases. It emphasizes the importance of immunization in promoting public health and preventing outbreaks.

This Behavioral Sciences (BHS 122) Handout provides a comprehensive overview of essential concepts in psychology, sociology, human growth, personality development, motivation, socialization, and the dynamics of the healthcare team. Understanding these topics is crucial for nursing students as they prepare to provide holistic and patient-centered care.

For additional resources and study materials from previous lessons, please visit asonyagh.com.

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