Table 3 Learning module for the core curriculum in behavioral science/medicine in undergraduate education

1. Shaping

• Imprinting

• Classical (respondent) conditioning

• Operant (instrumental) conditioning

• Cognitive learning

• Social learning (observation and imitation)

• Brain neurotransmitters

(1) Can explain innate and learned behavior (adaptive learning, non-adaptive learning).

(2) Can explain respondent conditioning (learning relationships between stimuli) and operant conditioning (learning relationships between responses and results).

(3) Can explain social learning (observation and imitation).

(4) Can explain the basic neural processes of behavior.

2. Motivation

• Motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic)

• Needs

• Frustration

• Conflict

• Adjustment mechanisms

• Defense mechanisms

(1) Can outline physiological motives (self-preservation and species-preservation), intrinsic motives (activity, sensitivity, curiosity, manipulation, etc.), and social motives (achievement, affiliation, affection, control, etc.).

(2) Can give examples of motivation.

(3) Can outline the relationship between needs and frustration/conflict.

(4) Can outline adjustment (defense) mechanisms.

3. Stress (psychological)

• Stressors

• Stress reactions

• Psychological models of stress

• Cognitive appraisal

• Coping

• Life events

• Relaxation techniques

(1) Can outline the major stress theories.

(2) Can give examples of stressors in life and everyday activities and their effects on health.

(3) Can explain psychosocial factors related to the stress-coping process.

(4) Can outline stress management techniques.

4. Stress (environmental) and health

• Workplace stress

• Other kinds of stress (childhood stress, parenting stress, etc.)

• Stress management

• Social support

(1 )Can outline the various kinds of stress encountered in the workplace and daily life.

(2) Can outline the relationship between stress in the workplace and daily life and health.

(3) Can outline stress management techniques based on environmental adjustment.

5. Life-span development

• Mental development

• The life cycle

• Gene-environment interaction

• Life tasks

(1) Can outline the principles of mental development.

(2) Can outline life tasks and the characteristics of mental development at each stage of the life cycle.

(3) Can outline genetic factors and environmental factors affecting mental development.

6. Individual differences

• Personality

• Type theory

• Trait theory

• The Big Five

• Intelligence

• Role theory

• Gender

(1) Can outline and compare the approaches of type and trait theories of personality.

(2) Can outline personality formation and function.

(3) Can outline changes in intelligence and development over time.

(4) Can outline role theory.

(5) Can outline gender formation.

7. Interpersonal relationships

• Interpersonal cognition

• Needs and conflict

• Group dynamics

• Social adjustment

• Interpersonal communication

• Culture

(1) Can outline psychological factors related to interpersonal relationships.

(2) Can outline the relationship between needs and behavior in interpersonal relationships.

(3) Can outline the major interpersonal behaviors (aggressive behavior, helping behavior, etc.).

(4) Can outline interpersonal behaviors within groups (competition and cooperation, conformity, obedience and resistance, leadership, etc.).

(5) Understands effective interpersonal communication.

(6) Can give examples of cultural effects on individuals and groups.

8. Theories of behavior modification

• Motivation

• Behavior therapy

• Cognitive behavior therapy

• Stimulus control

• Self-efficacy

• Multiple-theory integration model

• Empowerment

(1) Can outline motivation through health behavior and behavior modification.

9. Behavior modification techniques

• Lifestyle guidance

• Health guidance (smoking cessation/medication counseling)

• Teaching and coaching

(1) Can outline the behavioral science treatments applied to clinical medicine.

10. Health communication

• The spread of public health and medical information (guidelines, participation rate for medical examinations)

•Doctor-patient communication

•Communication between medical practitioners

(1) Can explain how medical information is transmitted to ordinary citizens and patients.

(2) Understands how to transmit medical information to ordinary citizens and patients.

(3) Can outline problems that occur between medical practitioners (e.g., medical safety problems that arise when the transmission of information is insufficient).

(4) Understands techniques for communication between medical practitioners.

11. Society and health

•Inequality and health

•Social capital

•Social participation

•Social epidemiology

•Social determinants of health

•Cultural competence

(1) Can outline the effects of social conditions and social life on people’s health.

(2) Understands the importance of developing cultural competence.

(3) Can outline public health strategies.

12 – 15. Seminars/practicums

Proposals for actual treatment strategies and role-plays based on medical scenarios

(1) Can communicate in a way that responds to patients’ psychological needs in various medical settings.

(2) Can give clear explanations to patients and can explain the principles of support for helping patients to make decisions on their own.

(3) Can teach and support simulated patients based on principles in a way that promotes behavior modification.

(4) Can behave in a professional manner and communicate effectively when conveying “bad news” to patients.