What Is Behavioural Sciences? - An Introduction To Behavioral Sciences

Definition – An Introduction Behavioural Sciences is a scientific discipline such as psychology, sociology & anthropology in

which the actions and reactions of humans and animals are studied through observational and

experimental methods.

It is the science or branch of learning that deals with the observation of living organisms while

using the principles of psychology, sociology & anthropology.

As for is concerned with humans or in clinical practice, Behavioural Sciences is the science that

deals with the study of human behaviour using the principles of psychology, sociology &

anthropology in conditions of health & disease.

Note: - Behavioural Sciences or Behavioral Sciences both are used for the same terminology.

Behaviour = Behavior

So the Behavioural Sciences involves three aspects of studies i-e psychology, sociology &

anthropology. Let’s have a brief knowledge of these terms;

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific discipline that studies psychological (here means mental –

associated with brain activity) and biological processes and behaviour in humans and other

animals.

It is the science or branch of learning that deals with the mental processes & behavior i-e the

emotional and behavioral characteristics of an individual or a group.

Psychology Sociology

Anthropology

Psychology involves the study of concepts such as perception, cognition, emotion, motivation,

personality, behavior, phenomenology, brain functioning and interpersonal relationships etc.

Sociology

Sociology is the scientific discipline that studies the human societies, their interactions and the

processes that preserve and alter them.

It is the science (social science) or branch of learning that deals with the study of societies &

factors that influence these in any way.

Sociology involves the study of concepts such as social class, social mobility, religion,

secularization, social stratification, law and its deviance etc.

Anthropology

Anthropology is the scientific discipline that studies the origin, behavior and the physical, social,

and cultural development of humans.

It is the science or branch of learning that deals with the origins, physical and cultural

development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind.

Anthropology involves the study of cultural methods of dealing with the diseases & other

distressing events of people’s lives.

After having the concepts of these terms, we directly come to Behavioural Sciences & its

relation with these terms.

What Is Behavioural Sciences? As the name tells, Behavioural Sciences deals with the study of behaviour, in this case, the

humans’ behaviour, at three levels or dimensions towards disease & health i-e

1. At Individual Level (dealt by Psychology)

2. At Community Level (dealt by Sociology)

3. At Historical Level (dealt by Anthropology)

Note:- Behaviour is the combination of three forces or factors which influence the development

of behaviour in various ways i-e individual factors, family factors (community factors) &

historical factors.

Behaviour can be modulated by applying changing in these factors or forces.

At Individual Level, Behavioural Sciences discusses the psychology of a single person towards

the disease & health. It involves the study of human mind & role played its various functions

such as emotions, thoughts, cognitions, motivations, perceptions & intelligence in maintaining

health, causing disease & also in the development of personality. All this is dealt by Psychology.

The humans’ behaviour is also influenced by the family, the society or the community as

approached. It is dealt at community level by Sociology.

At Community Level, Behavioural Sciences discusses the effects of society & its various units

whether family, friendships etc. in the processes of health & causing disease. This helps the

doctor a lot in understanding the influences played by the society or its units or institutions.

Then the humans’ behaviour is influenced by its evolutionary history, cultural background,

racial classification & geographic distribution etc. & it is dealt by at historical level by

Anthropology.

At Historical Level, Behavioural Sciences discusses the effects of evolutionary history of

humans, cultural history of humans, geographic distribution, racial classification etc. on the

health processes & disease. It involves the study of cultural methods or ways to deal with

diseases & other distresses or traumatic events. It influencing the people of certain region to

decide which disease is to be stigmatized (marked openly or told generously) & which disease is

to be kept in secret (don’t need share with anyone). Anthropological beliefs determine whether

to consult a doctor or go to see a peer (faith leader) in conditions of disease.

All these factors or forces simultaneously design a belief model for treating health conditions &

understanding of these factors as well as belief models is the mile stone in Behaviour Sciences

for a doctor or practitioner to have access to patients for successfully treating them.

Finally, Behaviour Sciences in addition to study of body (Anatomy), functions (Physiology), &

chemical processes (Biochemistry) of humans being, adds some disciplines to understand the

human’s nature & also supports the study of Holistic Medicine. It helps the doctor in

understanding the nature using principles of Psychology, evolution of humans’ spirit & factors

influencing it using principles of Sociology & Anthropology.

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