Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 4 x 2 Hour Seminars |
| Lecture | 11 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 1200 word essay | 40% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours 2 hours written exam | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 1200 word essay | 40% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours 2 hours written exam Re-sit failed component as specified by exam board | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Examine and evaluate models of health perception and behaviour change
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of differing forms of health communication and promotion
3. Critically evaluate the influences of society, biology and psychology on health and health behaviour
4. Demonstrate understanding of the challenges associated with living and coping with chronic disease
5. Demonstrate awareness of the challenges of assessing health states
Brochure Text
This module examines the role of psychology in health. The role of psychology in health behaviour provides the opportunity to use psychological theory to explain a number of health related topics and behaviours. The ability of students to use psychological theory within applied settings is important for their ability to relate their theoretical learning to real life situations. This is also one of the chartered routes in Psychology thus provides insight into potential career progression.
Brief description
The module examines the use of psychology and psychological theory to explore a range of health related topics and behaviours. The role of society and health will be explored by discussing gender and cultural differences in perceptions of health and how this influences decisions to engage in health enhancing and health risk behaviour. Theories of behaviour change, health interventions and communication in health care will be explored to provide insight into how social cognition can influence the modification of health related behaviours. Finally, the psychological challenges of assessing health and coping with chronic disease will be discussed.
Aims
The module aims to consider how psychological theory and approaches can be applied to the real world context that is health behavior and management.
Content
1 Introduction to health psychology; application and research
2 Determinants of health risk and health enhancing behaviour
3 Models of health perception
4 Measuring health and health states
5 Health promotion and persuasive communication
6 Models of behaviour change 1.
7 Models of behaviour change 2.
8 Developing health interventions
9 Communication in health care
10 The impact of chronic disease
11 Chronic disease management
12 Revision
Seminar Topics
Understanding health behaviour
Effective health communication
Changing Health Behaviour
Developing health Interventions
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Not directly applicable although students will be introduced to the key concepts of statistical analysis through the examination of research designs. |
| Communication | Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally and in writing. They will understand the importance of information and clear communication and how to exploit these for various target audiences. They will know how to use the many sources of information available and how to use the most appropriate form of communication to the best advantage. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic and to focus on the objectives of their argument or discussion. Seminars will be run in groups where oral discussion and presentations will form the main medium of teaching and the emphasis throughout the module will be on student participation and communication. Fellow students will be encouraged to question their peers to critique their approach or to suggest areas for the development of the chosen topic; in turn each will discuss the contributions and ideas of the other. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The module aims to promote self-management but within a context of assistance from both the facilitator and the fellow students alike. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and to exercise their own initiative, including searching for sources, and deciding the direction of their essay. The need to conduct a poster and to meet an essay deadline will focus students’ attention on the need to manage their time and opportunity resources well. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format. Also, students will be encouraged to search for sources of information on the web, as well as seeking sources through electronic information sources (such as Web of Science and PsychArticles). |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module will broaden students understanding of the career path to chartership in health psychology as well as career opportunities available to a chartered and non-chartered health psychologist. Seminar discussions in particular will help to develop students’ verbal and presentation skills. Additional transferable skills developed include targeting information to differing audiences, applying psychological theory to problem solve real world cases and sourcing literature. |
| Problem solving | Independent project work and problem solving will be one of the central goals of the module; the submission of an essay will require that the student develops independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: adopt differing points of view; use psychological theory to validate their opinions and estimate an answer to the problem; consider case studies and reason logically;. A final examination will ensure that an assessment of the student’s ability to work alone can be undertaken. |
| Research skills | The submission of the essay will reflect the independent research skills of the student. The need to locate appropriate research resources and write up the results will also facilitate research skills. Research preparation for a seminar presentation will also enable the student to develop independent project skills. A final examination will ensure that an assessment of the student’s ability to work alone can be undertaken |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of subject specific skills that will help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and research publications presented on the module. These subject specific skills include: * Assessment of scientific methods in psychology. * Demonstration of a familiarity with the techniques required for literature searches. * Appreciation of the nature of ethical research in the social sciences. * Demonstration of application of psychological theory to real world contexts |
| Team work | Seminars will consist in part of small-group discussion where students will be obliged to discuss as a group the core issues related to seminar topics. Such class room debates and discussions are a vital component of the module |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5