Psychology Applied to Health
| Module title | Psychology Applied to Health |
|---|---|
| Module code | NEU3003 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Jenny Harris (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
Module description
Health and illness are not only influenced by biological factors (viruses, bacteria etc.) but also by psychological and social factors, including emotions, personality, and our relationships with other people. Understanding the interplay between these different influences is critical to medical research and clinical practice. This module will provide you with an introduction to this field and highlight research relevant to both treatment and prevention of ill health.
This optional module is delivered by expert psychologists who conduct research in a variety of health contexts and is likely to interest final year students of the BSc Neuroscience, BSc Medical Sciences, and related disciplines (e.g., Psychology, Biosciences, Human Sciences, Sport and Exercise Sciences).
Module aims - intentions of the module
You will be introduced to contemporary research in key areas of psychology applied to health (including stress, pain, social support), and study how research findings are translated into practice in healthcare settings (e.g., through health promotion and behaviour change interventions). By critically appraising how social and psychological processes influence health and illness, you will develop an integrative, holistic understanding of important problems in healthcare.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate understanding of key research and findings in psychology applied to health
- 2. Review key psychological theories and research studies in health psychology
- 3. Critically appraise research in psychology applied to health, in terms of theoretical and methodological rigour
- 4. Evaluate research that has been applied in preventative health contexts (e.g., in healthcare and public health interventions) and consider the implications of this research for the future of healthcare and public health policy
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Describe and critically appraise health psychology research
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Study autonomously, managing private study, soliciting, and using feedback
- 7. Interact effectively with others and contribute to scientific discussions
- 8. Communicate ideas effectively by written means
Syllabus plan
The module’s precise content will vary from year to year, but the following information gives a description of the typical overall structure.
The delivery will be a combination of interactive lectures and workshops. Delivery is face-to-face with some supplementary online material. Specifically, each week will include an interactive lecture which provides the core content of the module, in terms of theoretical frameworks and key empirical studies within the field. Workshops will occur every other week and will involve working with others to develop critical appraisal skills and foster deeper understanding of module material. Workshops will help you prepare for your assessments.
The syllabus is supported by a weekly drop-in clinic for questions, comments, and advice. You are expected to engage in independent study across the module.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 29.5 | 120.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 17.5 | 9 x 1.5-hour and 2 x 2-hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 | 5 x 2 hour workshop |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 2 | 1 x 2-hour assessment seminar |
| Guided Independent Study | 120.5 | Guided reading of research articles and literature; preparation for lectures, workshops and plenaries; assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formative group poster | 1000 words equivalent + 500 words annotation | 1-8, esp. 7 | Written |
| Workshop tasks/questions | ~ 10 questions | 1-6, 8 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical review | 50 | 1,500 words | 1-6, 8 | Written |
| Poster | 50 | 1 A0 poster (1,000 words equivalent + 500 words annotation) | 1-6, 8 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical review, 50% | Critical review, 1,500 words (50%) | 1-6, 8 | Ref/Def |
| Poster, 50% | 1 A0 poster (1,000 words equivalent + 500 words annotation) (50%) | 1-6, 8 | Ref/Def |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Haslam, C., et al. (2018). The new psychology of health: Unlocking the social cure, London: Routledge
Jetten, J. et al. (2011). The Social Cure: Identity, Health and Well-being. Hove: Psychology Press.
Hagger, M.S., et al. (2020). The handbook of behavior change. Cambridge: CUP
Ogden, J. (2012). Health psychology. OUP.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Primary research publications and review articles covering various topics, as directed by the module team and identified through independent study.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Last revision date | 29/02/2024 |
