Behavioral & Social Science

The Behavioral and Social Science Research Area includes research on behavioral and social phenomena relevant to human health. Behavioral phenomena refer to the observable actions of individuals or groups as well as mental phenomena, such as knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, motivations, perceptions, cognitions, and emotions. Social phenomena refer to the interactions between and among individuals; characteristics, structures, and functions of social groups and institutions, such as families, communities, schools, and workplaces; and the physical, economic, cultural, and policy environments in which social and behavioral phenomena occur. The NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research and the National Institute of Mental Health, among others, fund research in this area.