Foundations of Health Psychology

PSYC11512 Foundations of Health Psychology 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 4 Christopher Armitage Unit coordinator Division of Psychology and Mental Health 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' First part HE study/Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 Topics covered will include:  <ul><li>the concept of health</li><li>the biomedical and biopsychosocial approaches to health  </li><li>the influence of stress on health  </li><li>the social cognition approach to predicting and changing health behaviour  </li></ul>This unit will also provide students with an illustration of the ways in which a strong research basis is critical in this area, and ii. a critical evaluation of basic theoretical and methodological issues.  Topics covered will include:  <ul><li>the concept of health</li><li>the biomedical and biopsychosocial approaches to health  </li><li>the influence of stress on health  </li><li>the social cognition approach to predicting and changing health behaviour  </li></ul>This unit will also provide students with an illustration of the ways in which a strong research basis is critical in this area, and ii. a critical evaluation of basic theoretical and methodological issues.  This unit aims to:  <ul><li>offer a transformative educational experience in health psychology guided by world class experts</li><li>provide an understanding of historical and contemporary theories in health psychology and challenge students to use their knowledge to tackle health-related real-world problems.</li><li>foster ethically minded, socially responsible graduates and support them in gaining volunteering and work experience to contribute to health benefits.</li><li>deliver education on foundations of health psychology using a variety of methods and technologies to encourage students to become independent, active and self-directed learners </li></ul> <ul><li>Understand the principal approaches to understanding health from a psychological perspective.  </li><li>Integrate findings from different fields of research to understand health.</li><li>Understand and describe, from theoretical and methodological perspectives, key psychological models that have been used to understand health and health behaviour.  </li><li>Apply multiple perspectives to health issues, recognising that psychology as applied to health involves a range of research methods, theories, and evidence.</li><li>Summarise the evidence base for findings from the main approaches to health psychology.  </li></ul> <ul><li>Appreciate the historical and conceptual roots of health psychology, recognising the importance of the subjective nature of experience.  </li><li>Appreciate the contributions psychology research has made to health.  </li><li>Apply knowledge to real world cases in the field of health psychology.  </li><li>Apply scientific reasoning and evidence-based analysis to evaluate health psychology theories, research, ethical issues, and arguments.  </li><li>Understand the process of theory development, and construct operationalise and critically evaluate research questions and methodologies in health psychology.  </li><li>Understand and articulate the limitations of social cognition models in understanding health behaviour.  </li><li>Employ, interrelate and systematically analyse different perspectives, methods, and theories to solve a broad range of health issues.   </li></ul> <ul><li>Work in groups</li><li>Communicate effectively, presenting concise and persuasive arguments  </li></ul> This unit is taught via lectures and seminars.  Supplementary reading and resources via Canvas  0 Other 100% <figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Assessment Task</td><td>Length</td><td>How and when feedback is provided</td><td>Weighting within unit (if relevant)</td></tr><tr><td>Essay</td><td>1500 words</td><td>Students will receive individual feedback on their work 20 working days after the final assessment deadline.</td><td>100%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> Students will receive verbal feedback on their essay plans in a dedicated face-to-face seminar as well as a grade and written feedback on their final coursework essay.  N Abraham, C., Conner, M., Jones, F., O'Connor, D. (2016). Health Psychology. Taylor and Francis.  Lectures 10 Seminars 4 0 86