CLUSTER
Health Science Education
COURSE
Understanding Human Behavior
WEVIS CODE
0725
Course Description: Within this course, students will learn basic priniciples of human behavior. As a result of
this knowledge, students should gain an improved sense of self and build interpersonal relationship skills. The
end goal will be the delivery of conscientious, personalized care which conveys respect and sincerity.
SKILL SETS
Challenges and Satisfactions of Being a Healthcare Provider
Philosophy of Individual Worth and Self-Understanding
Influences on Behavior
Theoretical Perspectives on Developmental Psychology
Self-Approval and Acceptance
Influence of Emotions on Behavior
Adjustments and Threats to Adjustments
Defense Mechanisms, Inner Conflict and Frustration
Illness and Patient Behavior
Patient Behavior and Human Relations in the Provision of Health Care
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
Gains and Losses Throughout Life
Death, Grief and Caring for the Dying Patient
Trends in Health Care
Understanding Human Behavior
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Challenges and Satisfactions of Being a Healthcare Provider
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
the realities of a health career in relationship to challenges, responsibilities,
problems and satisfactions.
Students will
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
WVEIS 0725
compare satisfaction gained from the approval of others to that of an inner
feeling of pride from knowing you performed your job well.
determine what is meant for the healthcare provider to set standards of
excellence.
examine the concepts of mediocrity and empowerment.
Philosophy of Individual Worth and Self-Understanding
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
the philosophy of individual worth and self-understanding in relation to the
provider/patient relationship.
Students will
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Influences on Behavior
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
examine the “Philosophy of Individual Worth”.
describe the ethical role of the healthcare provider in providing quality service
in relationship to patient diversity.
characterize how “prejudice” can influence the practice of the healthcare
worker.
determine the relationship between learning and a change in behavior.
factors that influence behavior.
Students will
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research the healthcare implications in genetic testing and gene therapy.
examine ways in which the developmental process can be influenced during
the prenatal and childhood period.
differentiate the four dimensions of the developmental process.
determine the basic stages of human growth and development.
compare responsibility for behavior during childhood and the adult period.
examine the five levels of human need as proposed by Maslow.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
determine the process by which a behavior is formed.
Theoretical Perspectives on Developmental Psychology
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
the major theoretical perspectives within the field of developmental
psychology.
Students will
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
define theory and interpret the role theories play in the understanding of
human development.
characterize Sigmund Freud, summarizing his theory of personality
development.
examine Erik Erickson’s theory of psychosocial development.
research Lawrence Kohlberg’s psychology of moral development.
assess Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development.
Self-Approval and Acceptance
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
concepts of self-approval and acceptance and the influence each have on
human behavior.
Students will
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
determine the differences between self-concept and self-esteem.
distinguish the six step method of the problem-solving process.
examine the “martyr complex”.
determine the correlation between approval and disapproval in relationship to
the person giving it.
assess the role of conformity in acceptance.
differentiate between sympathy and empathy.
Influence of Emotions on Behavior
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
how emotions influence behavior and how to use this knowledge in
relationships with patients.
Students will
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examine emotions and their psychological effects.
critique “stress”, “mind talk” and “stressor”.
determine the essential characteristics of unconditional love.
establish the meaning of “temperament”.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Adjustments and Threats to Adjustments
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
list factors that influence formation of temperament.
the process of adjustment.
potential threats to adjustment occurring during childhood, adolescence and
adulthood.
Students will
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
examine “adjustment” by comparing and contrasting a person who is well
adjusted versus one who is poorly adjusted.
 determine steps for adapting to a new situation.
 identify the role of the healthcare worker in the modification of behavior in
consideration of the code of ethics.
 differentiate six life stages in which milestones can threaten adjustments,
naming one significant change occurring in each stage.
 recognize five long term effects of child abuse.
 determine three stressors that adolescents commonly experience.
 examine traumatic effects of discrimination, sexism, rape, and domestic
violence.
Defense Mechanisms, Inner Conflict and Frustration
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
behaviors resulting from defense mechanisms, inner conflict and frustration.
the role of the healthcare provider in the recognition and reduction of
behaviors resulting from defense mechanisms.
Students will
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
examine defense mechanisms and explain their purpose.
compare substance dependency and defense mechanisms.
determine actions that can reduce a patient’s need for defensive behavior.
assess three types of inner conflict.
determine the meaning of frustration, examining underlying causes and effects.
relate a general approach to dealing with frustration.
Illness and Patient Behavior
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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emotional responses to illness.
behaviors that are indicators of emotional responses to illness.
Performance Objectives
Students will
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determine six general physical and emotional effects of illness.
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assess seven influences on patients’ reactions to illness.
examine guidelines for providing effective care for patients’ reactions to illness.
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Patient Behavior and Human Relations in the Provision of Health Care
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
Performance Objectives
 common behavior patterns of patients.
 appropriate strategies for use in the provision of health care.
Students will
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
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examine five communication techniques that may be used when responding to
patients.
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articulate five guidelines for becoming an effective member of the healthcare team.
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
verbal and nonverbal communication principles.
Students will
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
provide five examples of nonverbal behavior that convey a message.
recognize and interpret nonverbal behavior.
examine message discrepancy.
determine why assumptions and expectations can be a source of
communication breakdown.
 distinguish ways in which the healthcare provider can assist with the
clarification of communication.
Gains and Losses Throughout Life
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
Performance Objectives
 the effects of losses that occur throughout the lifespan.
 effective coping skills for dealing with losses throughout the lifespan.
Students will
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determine the effects of suppressed emotions.
discuss common reactions of survivors to various causes of death.
examine appropriate responses of the healthcare provider in situations
involving suicide.
differentiate euthanasia, including active and passive, complete and incomplete
suicide and assisted-suicide.
relate seven guidelines for coping with loss and helping others to do so.
Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
Death, Grief and Caring For The Dying Patient
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
the emotional, physical and legal facts involved in the care of patients during
the process of death and dying.
Students will
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Skill Set
Knowledge Objectives
relate how attitudes toward death have changed from past to present.
define thanatology.
interpret the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.
examine the following Advanced Directives: Do Not Resuscitate, Patient SelfDetermination Act, Advanced Medical Directives, Living Will and Durable
Power of Attorney.
 differentiate grief, anticipatory grief, bereavement and interment.
 compare the common aspects of the grief model offered by Dr. Kubler-Ross
and Oates.
 recognize five indications of unresolved grief.
 establish five guidelines for assisting the family of a dying patient.
 characterize five fears common to those dying.
 relate the primary focus of palliative care.
 determine three reasons why patients should be informed of a terminal illness.
 examine five guidelines for meeting the needs of a dying patient.
Trends in Health Care
Students will demonstrate knowledge of
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Performance Objectives
people who have made significant contributions to healthcare.
current trends in health care.
Students will
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recognize the contribution of the following people: Leuwenhoek, Lister, Koch,
Pasteur, Jenner, Salk, Pierre and Curie, Roentgen, Freud, Simonton, Shealy, Dossey,
and Benson.
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determine components of the scientific model and empirical data.
differentiate alternative therapy, complementary therapy and holistic care.
relate the meaning “placebo effect”.
distinguish the physical and psychological effects of relaxation and meditation.
demonstrate a technique for relaxation and meditation.
recognize four possible indicators of quackery.
examine the primary characteristics of a holistic approach to health care.
differentiate the difference between the “D.O.” , “M.D.”, and “D.C.”.