Determinants of Human Behavior

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the various biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that determine human behavior, specifically within the context of health professions.

Determinants

Factors that influence how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, shaping decisions, reactions, and health-related actions.

Biological Determinants

Factors including genetics, inherited traits, physical health status (illness, pain, age), hormonal influences, and brain structure and function.

Psychological Determinants

Internal factors such as personality traits, beliefs, attitudes, emotions, motivation, past experiences, and the stress response (fight-or-flight reaction).

Social Determinants

External influences including family, peer pressure, cultural norms and values, socioeconomic status, and education level.

Environmental Determinants

External factors including living conditions, access to health services, work and school environment, media influence, and major life events.

Biopsychosocial Perspective

The view that human behavior is the result of multiple interacting factors, specifically biological, psychological, social, and environmental influences working together.

Health Behavior Determinants

Factors that influence specific actions such as seeking medical care, following treatment, preventive behaviors, and risk behaviors.

Patient-centered care

An approach to healthcare that is enhanced by understanding patient behavior, improving communication, and supporting behavior change through knowledge of determinants.

Human behavior

Non-random actions influenced by multiple internal and external factors and shaped by both biological predispositions and environmental influences.