BEHAVIOUR: BASIC CONCEPTS

AND CONCEPTUALISING
HEALTH AND DISEASE
Group 1
BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE
COMM 837
Outline
• Basic concept of Behaviour
• Behaviour and its Principles
• Features of Human Behaviour
• Conceptualising Health and Disease
• Health and its Components
• Disease, Vs Syndrome
• Transmission of Disease
• Social Significance of Disease
• Conclusion
• References
Definition of Behaviour
• Behaviour, is the observable or measurable manifestations of an
organism's response to either internal or external stimuli, whether it
be a plant or an animal.
• Other definititions:
• Actions or reactions of a person, animal or plant in response to external or
internal stimuli
• External change or activity exhibited by an organism.
• How something functions or operates
• The way a person, animal, plant or chemical behaves or functions in a
• particular situation
Principles of Behaviour
• Stimulus and Response:
• Stimulus - detectable changes be internal or external that will prompt a
response. Changes could be external (chemicals, heat, light, pressure, gravity) or
it could be one's internal environment (hormonal changes).
• Response - these responses innate could be automatic/reflex, learned, or a
combination, all serving to either adapt to the stimulus or modulate the
organism's internal state.
• Innate and Learned Behaviour
• Innate - this explains the genetic component of some bahviours, and a rather
instinctual, requiring no prior experience
• Learned - these behaviours are acquired through experience, observation, and
interaction with the environment.
Principles of Behaviour Cont’d
• Reflex Behaviour:
• Like innate response that requires no prior experience, this type of behaviour
with rapid/automatic response to some certain stimuli
• These responses are mediated at the spinal cord - reflex arc, and as such very
fast and efficient
Features of Human Behaviour
• Verbal Communication: a very distinguishing features for humans is
the ability to verbally articulate our thoughts, emotions, and
intentions through spoken or written words.
• Nonverbal Communication: this is the use of nonverbal cues such as
body language, facial expressions, and gestures to conveys emotions,
attitudes and intentions. This is independent on any formal language.
• Conscious Awareness: human behaviour allows for one to be
consciously aware of the alternative courses and also to evaluate the
consequences of their actions, this shapes the required response for a
particular stimulus.
Features of Human Behaviour Cont’d
• Unconscious Processes: these are processes that operates at the
subscious. There could be feelings or biases that shapes our behaviour,
that manifests as automatic or involuntary actions such as tapping of the
feet etc.
• Overt Behaviours: a form of human behaviour where the actions are
measurable, observable and consciously initiated. They provide tangible
evidence for ones intentions or motivations.
• Covert Behaviours: unlike overt behaviour, these are hidden, internal, or
not readily observable to others, but still influence an individual's actions
and decisions. Influences could be personal, cultural or subconscious
processes.
Features of Human Behaviour Cont’d
• Voluntary Actions: these are deliberate/conscious actions, choices, or
intentions performed by an individual, allowing for autonomy of ones
actions through their behaviour.
• Involuntary Reactions: like reflex actions, these these are automatic
or instinctual reactions that occurs spontaneously . These occur
without conscious control. E.g sleeping when stressed.
• Normal Behaviours: typical, expected, or socially acceptable actions
that conform to prevailing norms and standards.
• Abnormal Behaviour: abnormal behaviour deviates from established
norms and may indicate underlying psychological, emotional, or social
disturbances.
Health and its Components
• Definition: state of complete physical, mental and social well-being
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO)
• It encompasses not only the absence of physical ailments but also the
presence of positive mental attitudes, emotional stability, and
fulfilling social relationships.
• Components:
• Holistic dimension
• Positive dimension
• Negative dimension
Health and its Components Cont’d
Holistic Dimension of Health
• This embraces the belief that being healthy entails more than the
absence of physical ailments; it encompasses emotional comfort and
psychological well-being.
Health and its Components Cont’d
Positive Dimension of Health
• This posits that well-being is attained through continuous effort and
proactive health maintenance. Individuals attribute their well-being to
personal actions and may feel responsible for their health outcomes.
Health and its Components Cont’d
Negative Dimension of Health
• This equates well-being with the absence of illness or symptoms.
Individuals with this perspective may take good health for granted
and perceive it as the norm, only acknowledging health concerns
when symptoms arise.
Disease, Vs Syndrome
Disease
• Disease:
• Departure from Normal Health: Disease is commonly understood as a deviation
from the normative state of health, leading to an abnormal condition where
overall well-being is compromised.
• Medical Condition: From a medical standpoint, disease denotes an abnormality –
whether of the body or mind – that engenders discomfort, dysfunction, distress, or
even mortality for the afflicted individual or those in their proximity.
• Biological Reactions to Injury: Represents specific biological responses triggered
by injury or alterations within the body's internal environment. These disruptions
impede normal bodily functions and often evoke anxiety in the afflicted individual.
• Impairment of Function: In biology, disease refers to any abnormal condition
within an organism that undermines its functionality.
Disease, Vs Syndrome Cont’d
Vs Syndrome
• Syndrome:
• A cluster of signs and symptoms that occur together but may not have a
specific known cause or aetiology.
• It represents a pattern of manifestations that characterise a particular
condition without pinpointing a singular underlying cause.
• This serve as valuable diagnostic tools, aiding healthcare professionals in
identifying and managing patients' health issues.
Transmission of Disease

• The transmission of disease varies depending on the nature of the

condition and its underlying mechanisms.
• Various ways disease are transmitted include:
• Airborne particles produced by coughs and sneezes, insect bites
• Contaminated water or food
• Direct contact with infected individuals.
Social Significance of Disease
• Diseases have both negative and positive social significance, as well as cultural
perspective.
• Negative: Diseases such as HIV can provoke extreme social stigma,while leprosy
upon the advancements in medicine continue to impact affected individuals,
perpetuating discrimination and marginalization.
• Positive: Diseases such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), repetitive motion
injury (RSI), and Gulf War syndrome have sparked debates and controversies
influencing policy adjustments and better health care provision.
Social Significance of Disease Cont’d

• Cultural perspective:
• Disorders such as oppositional-defiant disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder ADHD, and obesity are increasingly classified as diseases in some
regions, reflecting evolving understandings of health and well-being.
• While in some regions diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and polio remain
pressing concerns, shaping healthcare priorities and resource allocation
strategies.
Conclusion
• It important we know the fundamental concepts of behaviour and how it affect
the holistic view of our health.

• It also imperative that we continue to see health in its different dimensions and
how they provide valuable insights into the complexities of human health and the
factors influencing health-related behaviours.

• By emphasizing the importance of considering health as more than just the

absence of disease, we were able to underscore the significance of adopting a
holistic approach to health promotion and disease prevention
 References
1. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Nigeria. (2018). Course Material for COMM 837
Behavioral Science, Masters in Public Health (MPH). Zaria, Nigeria: Ahmadu Bello
University (ABU).
2. Behaviour – Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/behaviour. Page last modified on 15 February 2024. Site
visited on 14th March 2024
3. Nebraska Behavioral Biology Group. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu. Site visited on 14th
March 2024
4. Black, J.G. (1996). Microbiology. Principles and Applications. Third Edition. Prentice Hall.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. pp. 392-412
5. United Nations. (1995) Basic Facts. Geneva: United Nations.
6. Cole, R. M. (1970), Sociology of Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
7. Taylor, S. E. (2006). Health Psychology (6th Edition). Los Angeles: McGraw
Hill.