COLLEGE OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY, WALEWALE
SCHEME OF WORK AND COURSE CONTENT FOR BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE
BHS 122 BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE 3 CREDITS
Course Description
This course introduces the student to the understanding and development of psychology and
sociology, human growth and development and personality development. It will focus on the
theories of learning, memory, motivation and socialization. Additionally, it will equip the
student with appropriate skills and attitude to relate with other team members of the health
care team and recognize the hospital as a social system. The student will also gain knowledge
in managing conflict, identify social factors that influence health and national health policy.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, the student will demonstrate ability to:
a. Discuss the development and scope of psychology and sociology
b. Discuss human growth and development
c. Discuss personality development
d. Discuss learning theories and memory
e. Discuss motivation
f. Discuss socialization
g. Discuss members of the health care team
h. Discuss the hospital as a social system
i. Discuss conflict and conflict management
j. Discuss social factors that influence health
k. Discuss the national health policies
Course Content
1. Development and scope of psychology and sociology
2. Introduction to human growth and development
a. Basic concepts: growth, development, maturation
b. Principles underlying growth and development
c. Factors influencing growth and development: heredity and environment
d. Stages of growth and development
3. Personality development
a. Definition of personality
b. Personality theories
i. Psychoanalytic (Freud)
ii. Psychosocial (Erikson)
iii. Cognitive (Jean Piaget)
iv. Moral (kohlberg’s)
4. Learning and Memory
a. Factors influencing memory and learning
b. Theories of learning and memory
5. Motivation
i. Explanation
ii. Theories of motivation
iii. Importance of motivation
6. Socialization
I. Functions/importance of socialization
II. Socialization in Nursing and Midwifery
7. Health care team
8. Hospital as a social system
i. Sociology of hospital organization
ii. The hospital organization and its impact on doctor-nurse relationship
9. Conflict and conflict management
a. Explanation of conflict
b. Types of conflicts
c. Management of conflict
10. Social factors influencing health
a. Attitudes towards health, disabilities and illness
b. The sick role
c. Other factors e.g. family, peers, role models, community members
11. National health policies
a. National health insurance
b. Maternal and child health policy
c. Child and family health policies
d. National immunization policy
NUMBER TOPICS OBJECTIES; TEACHING/LEARNIN RESOURCES/ REMARKS
OF By the end of the lesson students will be G METHODS MATERIALS
WEEKS able to;
WEEK 1 Development and …. explain the scope of psychology Presentation Projector
scope of …. explain the scope of sociology Discussion Marker
psychology and Demonstration laptop
sociology
WEEK 2 Introduction to ……state and explain the basic concepts Presentation Projector
human growth of growth, development and maturation discussion Marker
and development …. explain the basic principles demonstration
underlying growth and development
WEEK 3 Quiz (5%) Students will be able to answer A4 sheets
questions of topics taught
WEEK 4 Personality …. explain personality Presentation Projector
development …. state and explain the various Discussion Marker
personality theories Demonstration
WEEK 5 Learning and ……state and explain factors that Presentation and Projector
memory influence learning and memory discussion Marker
……state explain theories of learning
and memory
WEEK 6 Assignment (5%) Students will be able to answer A4 sheets
questions of topics taught
WEEK 7 Motivation …explain motivation Group presentations and Projector
…explain theories of motivation discussion flip charts
WEEK 8 Mid semester Students will be able to answer A4 sheets
(15%) questions of topics taught
WEEK 9 socialization …. state and explain Presentation and Projector
functions/importance of socialization discussion Marker
…. socialization in nursing and
midwifery
WEEK 10 Class test (5%) Students will be able to answer A4 sheets
questions of topics taught
WEEK 11 Health care team …explain health care team Presentation and Projector
…composition of the health care team discussion Marker
WEEK 12 Conflict and ……explanation of conflict Presentation and Projector
conflict …. types and management of conflicts discussion Marker
management
WEEK 13 Revision Recap of some selected topics
WEEK 14 REVISION REVISION
WEEK END OF END OF SEMESTER
15&16 SEMESTER EXAMINAION
EXAMINAION
Compiled by Approved by
Daniel A. Akangoa
Charllotte Nibelli
…………….
The coordinator
RGN program
RECOMENDED BOOKS
1. Akinsolah, H.Y., Behavioural science for Nurses; Tropical Health series, London:
Churchill Livingstone
2. Altschul, A&Sinclair, H.Y.,Psychology for Nurses,London:Bailliere Tindall
3. Atkinson, Introduction to Psychology
4. Birchenall, M. and Birchenall, P., Sociology as Applied to nursing and Health care
5. Twumasi, P.A., Medical Systems in Ghana, Accra: Ghana Pushing Corporation
