Human Behavior

Human behavior
human behavior is explained in terms of a three-way, dynamic, reciprocal theory in which personal
factors, environmental influences, and behavior continually interact. And, that people learn through
their own experiences and by observing actions of others and the results of those actions.
Nature vs Nurture: In the context of the nature vs. nurture debate, “nature” refers to biological/genetic
predispositions’ impact on human traits, and nurture describes the influence of learning and other
influences from one’s environment. The debate over whether the strengths and weaknesses of people
are the results of nature or nurture has, and somewhat continues to rage on between scholars and
laypeople alike. This debate has had significant social implications, particularly concerning what is
thought to determine people’s ability to learn/intelligence (Lynch, 2016).
Cognitive learning theory: An interpersonal - level health theory that defines human behavior as an
interaction of personal factors, behavioral factors, and environmental factors. Social cognitive theory is
the most frequently used paradigm in health promotion. It is based on the reciprocal determinism
between behavior, environment, and person; their constant interactions constitute the basis for human
action.
Classical conditioning is a behaviorist theory of learning. It posits that when a naturally occurring
stimulus and an environmental stimulus are repeatedly paired, the environmental stimulus will
eventually elicit a similar response to the natural stimulus
Operant conditioning is a process in which people learn to behave in a certain way in order to get
rewards and avoid punishment. It's a type of behavior change that occurs because of a purposeful
cause-and-effect reinforcement. When applied in behavioral therapy, operant conditioning can be used
to create change based on rewards and punishments.
The social learning theory (SLT):is one of the most formally developed theories of health behavior. This
theory addresses both the psychosocial dynamics underlying health behavior and the methods of
promoting behavior change (Glanz, 1990). Stuart (1989) defined SLT as a method of describing,
analyzing, and potentially influencing behavior. SLT is an education in human relations that attempts to
provide an environment in which effective learning may occur. This learning occurs in a systematic
teaching-modeling program that emphasizes learning procedures derived from psychology and related
behavioral sciences (Stuart, 1989).
The health belief model: one of the more widely researched models, originated in the 1950s as a way to
understand health - seeking behaviors. In particular, it grew from work that sought to understand why
very few people were participating in preventive and disease detection programs. According to this
model, a person’s action to change his or her behavior (or lack of action) results from the person’s
evaluation of several constructs. First, a person decides if he or she is susceptible (perceived
susceptibility) to a disease or condition, and weighs this against the severity of the disease or condition
(perceived severity). For example, if a person believes that he or she is susceptible and the disease is
severe enough to motivate him or her to change, he or she is more likely to take action to change.
Alternatively, if a person does not believe he or she is susceptible, even though the disease might be
severe, he or she will likely not act. A person also weighs the benefits of action to change (perceived
benefits) versus the barriers to change (perceived barriers), and this analysis is the strongest predictive
factor for behavior change. If a person believes that the benefits outweigh the barriers, then he or she is
more likely to take action to change. Cues to action, such as instructions or reminders, can also be used
to facilitate change. The health belief model also takes other factors, such as age, gender, and
personality, into account, with the assumption that these factors can influence a person’ s motivation to
change behavior. Self - efficacy, a person’s belief that he or she can engage in a behavior (Bandura,
1986), was added later as a factor in behavior maintenance; the original health belief model was tested
on short - term health - seeking behaviors.
Communication theory focuses on two main areas: (1) message production, which involves both the
creation of a message and the way the message is delivered, and (2) media effects, in which the impact
that a message has on one or more levels (individual, group, or society) is investigated. Effective
message production requires that messages be tailored to the target audience. Tailoring messages has
four components: content, context, design and production, and amount and type of channels
Theory of reasoned action
Developed by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen in 1975 to examine the relationship between attitudes and
behavior, the theory of reasoned action looks at behavioral intentions rather than attitudes as the main
predictors of behavior. According to this theory, attitudes toward a behavior (or more precisely,
attitudes toward the expected outcome or result of a behavior) and subjective norms (the influence
other people have on a person’s attitudes and behavior) are the major predictors of behavioral
intention.
Transtheoretical model
This model (also called stages of change model) is an individual - level health theory that proposes that
behavior change is a process that occurs in stages and that people move through these stages in a
specific sequence as they change. The stages are pre - contemplation, contemplation, preparation,
action, and maintenance. People can move forward or backward (relapse) through the stages. The
dimension of time — that is, each of the stages being associated with a specific time frame — is unique
to the stages of change model
PRECEDE - PROCEED Model One of the most well - known approaches to planning, implementing, and
evaluating health promotion programs is the PRECEDE - PROCEED model. The PRECEDE portion of the
model (Phases 1–4) focuses on program planning, and the PROCEED portion (Phases 5–8) focuses on
implementation and evaluation. The eight phases of the model guide planners in creating health
promotion programs, beginning with more general outcomes and moving to more specific outcomes.
Gradually, the process leads to creation of a program, delivery of the program, and evaluation of the
program.
The Health Action Model (HAM): developed by Tones, has two main parts
1. Behavioral intention which is composed of three dimensions (belief, motivation, and normative)
2. Factors that determine whether an individual’s intention leads to action.
HAM identifies key psychological, social and environmental factors which influence an individual
adopting and sustaining safe or unsafe related behavior
Theoretical models
There are a number of theoretical models that provide support in the health promotion activities aimed
at preventing diseases. The ecological model theory identifies several factors that have impacts on
health habits. They include the community, interpersonal, intrapersonal, policy and institutional factors.
Another model is the health belief model which is utilized in providing a guide on the prevention of the
disease and in health promotion. It explains and predicts on any behavioural change.
The transtheoretical model discusses the readiness of an individual to transform his/her behavior. It
gives a description of the process in stages.
 Pre contemplation stage

 Contemplation stage and
 The preparation stage.

Human Behavior

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Human Behavior

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Human Behavior

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Human behavior

Theory of reasoned action

 Pre contemplation stage

You might also like