Department of Psychology, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
PS50029 Introduction to issues in health and health beliefs |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: EX 100% |
| Requisites: |
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Aims:
* To provide a broad introduction to health psychology and health related disciplines * To locate many of the issues and health concerns of health psychology in the wider health sciences research context. * Understand and critically evaluate different variables, models, theories and approaches associated with health beliefs and health cognitions. Learning Outcomes: On completion of the unit students will: * Be familiar with the contributions of different disciplines to the study of health, well-being and disease. * Be able to demonstrate that they know about the changes in health psychology across the lifespan * Appreciate some of the key social processes that contribute to the experience and reporting of illness. * Be familiar with the role of beliefs and cognitions in the context of health. Skills: Intellectual * To communicate an argument * To evaluate others arguments and research * To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding Professional / Practical * To make decisions regarding legitimacy and reliability of evidence * Essay research, preparation and writing skills * Revision and examination skills * Study and Learning skills. Content: The unit provides a broad introduction to health psychology and related health disciplines. The unit begins by introducing different models of health care. A systematic appraisal of health across the lifespan from children to older adults is covered, as is the social processes of becoming ill. Finally, core concepts in health beliefs and cognitions are covered, as are the relative impact such thought processes have on health-related behaviour. |