1
COMH100: Behavioural Sciences – All-
New, Latest & Updated PDF Study
Guide | Comprehensive Exam
Preparation, Practice Questions,
Answers & Detailed Explanations
COMH100: BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES
Introduction to community health concepts; human behavior – Ecology, psychology,
anthropology and sociology; Nutrition, health seeking behavior; socio-economic factors and
health; group dynamics, appliions of behavioral sciences in health.
Course Objectives:
Course Objective:
By the end of this course the student should be able to:
1. Definethe basic concepts in Community health
2. Differentiate between the major disciplines that constitute Behavioral sciences
(Sociology, Anthropology &Psychology)
3. Describe the basic concepts in sociology, Anthropology and psychology
4. Describe social institutions shaping human behavior
5. Describe ecology and its principles
6. Describe Nutrition and important nutritional
7. Discuss group dynamics
8. Describe the key socio-cultural processes that affect health
9. Describe factors affecting health seeking behaviour
,2
10. Explain the behavioral science theories/principles that inform health promotion
&disease prevention
11. Distinguish between health and illness behavior inter-alia their determinants
12. Explain the intersection between illness, sick role, and social vis-à-vis medical power
13. Differentiate Traditional/Alternative healing options from Western Medicine
14. Critically discuss the relevance of behavioral science to the field of community health &
health service delivery
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Grasp basic concepts and knowledge about behavioral science
2. Understand human behavior from multiple perspectives
3. Grasp importance of a holistic view of health
4. Identify and describe social institutions shaping human behavior
5. Identify and describe socio cultural processes and their relationship to health
6. Apply concepts and theories in sociology, Anthropology, and psychology in the
delivery of health services
7. Appreciate the value of behavioral science in modern society and medicine
8. Discuss cultural beliefs, practices, and social change that affect health
9. Acquire skills in how to address causes and consequences of human behavior in
health care settings
10. Develop critical thinking with logical reasoning and approach fundamental issues of
health by multi-perspectives
11. Show empathy and concern for the health and well-being of individuals, groups and
communities
Teaching strategies/Aids
1. Lectures
2. LCD projector
3. Chalk and Board
4. White board/markers
5. Group Discussions/presentations
6. Case Studies
7. Individual/Group Assignments
,3
EVALUATION
I ------ II-----
END OF SEMESTER EXAM---- Reference Materials:
1. Haviland, Prins, Walrath and McBride (2008) ANTHROPOLOGY: The Human
Challenge. USA: Wadsworth
2. Anthony Giddens (1997; 2001) SOCIOLOGY. 4th eds. Uk: Polity Press.
3. William Cockerham. Medica Sociology. 2nd edition.
4. Developmental Psychology by Phillip Banyard
5. Eduional Psychology by Wingwood (2009)
6. Benard D. Starr And Harris S. Goldesten (1975) Human Development and Behaviour
7. Hall and Lindzey (1970) Theories of Personality.
8. Use internet material
9..Gerard O’donnell (2002) Mastering Sociology. New york: PALGRAVE (Former
Macmillan Press Ltd) pgs303-314.
10.. Eric O. Ayisi (1992,1997) An Introduction to the Study of African Culture.
Nairobi/Oxford: East African Publishers Ltd& James Currey Publishers.
11. William A. Haviland, HARALD E. L. PRINS; DANA WALRATH; BUNNY
MCBRIDE(2005; 2008) anthropology the human change: international student edition.
Belmont, USA: Wadsworthy publishers.
12. .Benard d. Starr &Harris s. Goldstein (1975) HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND
BEHAVIOUR: PSYCHOLOGY IN NURSING.New York: Springer publishing Company.
18.PHILIP BANYARD (2002) PSYCHOLOGY IN PRACTICE: HEALTH.
WASHINGTON:Hodder & Stoughton.
19.Chloe E. Bird, Peter Conrad, Allen M. Fremont, and Stefan Timmermans (editors:2010)
HandBook of Medical Sociology (6th edition).Nashville, Tennessee: Vanderbilt University
Press.
20.Jeannine Coreil (2010) Social and Behavioural Foundations of Public Health.Thousand
Oaks California; London; Singapore; NewDelhi:SAGE PUBLIIONS
, 4
LECTURE SERIES: PART ONE -TO -THREE
Definition of concepts The
Concept Science:
❖ The sciences are commonly divided into natural and social sciences
❖ Natural science is the study of physical features of nature and the ways in
which they interact and change e.g biology, physics, chemistry,
❖ Social science is the study of social features of humans and the ways in which
they interact and change
The social sciences include sociology, anthropology, economics,
history, psychology, economics, history, political science
✓ These social science disciplines have a common focus on
social behavior of people but each has its unique
orientation or perspective
❖ Like other sciences behavioral science applies the scientific process to study
and explain its subject matter namely human behavior.
Introduction to Behavioural Sciences
❖ Behavioral science is the systematic orscientific study of human behavior
including its causes and consequences.
❖ Systematic= follows logical steps
❖ Scientific=applies the principles of science such as verifiion, objectivity ❖
What is behavior= human actions and inaction
Observable/concrete actions or responses in humans eg eating,
speaking, relating, communiing, etc.
Human behavior has six core characteristics/principles:
i. Can be pathological or therapeutic
ii. Has multiple causes and consequences
iii. Consequences are both –ve & +ve
iv. Is dynamic=keeps changing
v. Can be modified, reinforced or
extinguished
vi. Is complex therefore studied and
understood from multiple perspectives
❖ The main goals of behavioral sciences
a) To describe the nature of human behavior
b) To stimulate an understanding of human behavior
COMH100: Behavioural Sciences – All-
New, Latest & Updated PDF Study
Guide | Comprehensive Exam
Preparation, Practice Questions,
Answers & Detailed Explanations
COMH100: BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES
Introduction to community health concepts; human behavior – Ecology, psychology,
anthropology and sociology; Nutrition, health seeking behavior; socio-economic factors and
health; group dynamics, appliions of behavioral sciences in health.
Course Objectives:
Course Objective:
By the end of this course the student should be able to:
1. Definethe basic concepts in Community health
2. Differentiate between the major disciplines that constitute Behavioral sciences
(Sociology, Anthropology &Psychology)
3. Describe the basic concepts in sociology, Anthropology and psychology
4. Describe social institutions shaping human behavior
5. Describe ecology and its principles
6. Describe Nutrition and important nutritional
7. Discuss group dynamics
8. Describe the key socio-cultural processes that affect health
9. Describe factors affecting health seeking behaviour
,2
10. Explain the behavioral science theories/principles that inform health promotion
&disease prevention
11. Distinguish between health and illness behavior inter-alia their determinants
12. Explain the intersection between illness, sick role, and social vis-à-vis medical power
13. Differentiate Traditional/Alternative healing options from Western Medicine
14. Critically discuss the relevance of behavioral science to the field of community health &
health service delivery
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Grasp basic concepts and knowledge about behavioral science
2. Understand human behavior from multiple perspectives
3. Grasp importance of a holistic view of health
4. Identify and describe social institutions shaping human behavior
5. Identify and describe socio cultural processes and their relationship to health
6. Apply concepts and theories in sociology, Anthropology, and psychology in the
delivery of health services
7. Appreciate the value of behavioral science in modern society and medicine
8. Discuss cultural beliefs, practices, and social change that affect health
9. Acquire skills in how to address causes and consequences of human behavior in
health care settings
10. Develop critical thinking with logical reasoning and approach fundamental issues of
health by multi-perspectives
11. Show empathy and concern for the health and well-being of individuals, groups and
communities
Teaching strategies/Aids
1. Lectures
2. LCD projector
3. Chalk and Board
4. White board/markers
5. Group Discussions/presentations
6. Case Studies
7. Individual/Group Assignments
,3
EVALUATION
I ------ II-----
END OF SEMESTER EXAM---- Reference Materials:
1. Haviland, Prins, Walrath and McBride (2008) ANTHROPOLOGY: The Human
Challenge. USA: Wadsworth
2. Anthony Giddens (1997; 2001) SOCIOLOGY. 4th eds. Uk: Polity Press.
3. William Cockerham. Medica Sociology. 2nd edition.
4. Developmental Psychology by Phillip Banyard
5. Eduional Psychology by Wingwood (2009)
6. Benard D. Starr And Harris S. Goldesten (1975) Human Development and Behaviour
7. Hall and Lindzey (1970) Theories of Personality.
8. Use internet material
9..Gerard O’donnell (2002) Mastering Sociology. New york: PALGRAVE (Former
Macmillan Press Ltd) pgs303-314.
10.. Eric O. Ayisi (1992,1997) An Introduction to the Study of African Culture.
Nairobi/Oxford: East African Publishers Ltd& James Currey Publishers.
11. William A. Haviland, HARALD E. L. PRINS; DANA WALRATH; BUNNY
MCBRIDE(2005; 2008) anthropology the human change: international student edition.
Belmont, USA: Wadsworthy publishers.
12. .Benard d. Starr &Harris s. Goldstein (1975) HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND
BEHAVIOUR: PSYCHOLOGY IN NURSING.New York: Springer publishing Company.
18.PHILIP BANYARD (2002) PSYCHOLOGY IN PRACTICE: HEALTH.
WASHINGTON:Hodder & Stoughton.
19.Chloe E. Bird, Peter Conrad, Allen M. Fremont, and Stefan Timmermans (editors:2010)
HandBook of Medical Sociology (6th edition).Nashville, Tennessee: Vanderbilt University
Press.
20.Jeannine Coreil (2010) Social and Behavioural Foundations of Public Health.Thousand
Oaks California; London; Singapore; NewDelhi:SAGE PUBLIIONS
, 4
LECTURE SERIES: PART ONE -TO -THREE
Definition of concepts The
Concept Science:
❖ The sciences are commonly divided into natural and social sciences
❖ Natural science is the study of physical features of nature and the ways in
which they interact and change e.g biology, physics, chemistry,
❖ Social science is the study of social features of humans and the ways in which
they interact and change
The social sciences include sociology, anthropology, economics,
history, psychology, economics, history, political science
✓ These social science disciplines have a common focus on
social behavior of people but each has its unique
orientation or perspective
❖ Like other sciences behavioral science applies the scientific process to study
and explain its subject matter namely human behavior.
Introduction to Behavioural Sciences
❖ Behavioral science is the systematic orscientific study of human behavior
including its causes and consequences.
❖ Systematic= follows logical steps
❖ Scientific=applies the principles of science such as verifiion, objectivity ❖
What is behavior= human actions and inaction
Observable/concrete actions or responses in humans eg eating,
speaking, relating, communiing, etc.
Human behavior has six core characteristics/principles:
i. Can be pathological or therapeutic
ii. Has multiple causes and consequences
iii. Consequences are both –ve & +ve
iv. Is dynamic=keeps changing
v. Can be modified, reinforced or
extinguished
vi. Is complex therefore studied and
understood from multiple perspectives
❖ The main goals of behavioral sciences
a) To describe the nature of human behavior
b) To stimulate an understanding of human behavior
