Keele Badge

PSY-30077 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 25 April 2024

PSY-30077 - Health Psychology
Coordinator: Sue Sherman Room: DH1.88 Tel: +44 1782 7 33384
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None


Description for 2024/25

This module will give you knowledge and skills in an area of psychology that can affect so many aspects of our lives. Whether we're talking about physical or mental health, the role that psychology plays is key to looking at health trends and behaviours. This module will give you an overview of the key theories, research and issues in health psychology. It will also give you the opportunity to apply your learning into practice. The 4000 word assessment (100%) is a two-part coursework that involves: (1) the development of a health psychology intervention; and (2) the use of this intervention as a basis to critically appraise relevant health psychology theory, research, and practice.

Aims
To develop students' knowledge and understanding of psychological aspects of health issues.
To acquire and review the theoretical underpinnings of health psychology and how these relate to practice within specific health areas
To enable students to apply their knowledge by designing a theoretically motivated health intervention
Appreciate the relevance of health psychology issues for different populations

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/psy-30077/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe key theories and behavioural models applicable to health psychology: 1
critically appraise and assess the quality of relevant literature within specific areas of health research in psychology: 1
critically discuss the contexts in which these theories/models are applied: 1
design a health intervention which demonstrates an integrated understanding of health psychology theory and contexts: 1
demonstrate an understanding of health outcomes for under-represented groups, different populations and within a global context: 1

Study hours

20 hours taught classes
20 hours structured asynchronous learning
10 hours on group activities to support the assessment
100 hours background reading and coursework preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Coursework weighted 100%
Intervention design and evaluation
Students will be asked to design a health intervention relevant to a particular health campaign. This can relate to either an individual behaviour change campaign or a wider public health concern. Examples of intervention foci: - Increasing cervical screening uptake in older women - Communicating effectively with young LGBT adults about safe sex - Improving compliance with social distancing during COVID-19 outbreak Students will be asked to briefly outline the proposed intervention and then to write a critical reflection on the rationale for the intervention drawing upon relevant theories, concepts and research discussed in class. The answer should explicitly identify: - the behaviour or issue being targeted - the rationale for the intervention - who the intervention is aimed at (and who it excludes) and its context (eg urban, rural, country etc) - the health psychology theory/model/approach underpinning the intervention - details about intervention¿s components and delivery format - how you would evaluate the success of the intervention Total word count - 3000 words maximum

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 25 April 2024