Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

Psychology

Learning Methods

Lecture
Seminar

Module Offerings

7101HEAPSY-SEP-CTY

Aims

The module will give historical overview of health psychology with particular emphasis on key philosophical, conceptual and theoretical developments

Learning Outcomes

1.
Present a historical overview of health psychology & behavioural epidemiology
2.
Describe and critically evaluate key theoretical perspectives in health psychology, and associated research.
3.
Consider relevant analytic and methodological issues associated with these key theoretical perspectives

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:Pre-1950s/60s: historical perspectives (Descartes, Freud, Dunbar) Post-1950s/60s/70s: historical perspectives (Surgeon General’s report & Engel’s biopsychosocial revolution) 1950s-1970s: early health behaviour models (HBM/PMT) 1960s/1970s stress and coping – a transactional perspective (Lazarus & colleagues/construct validity) Early 1980s: responding to illness (Leventhal’s CSM model) Late 1970s/Early 1980s: emergence of behavioural epidemiology 1990s & beyond: spotlight on behaviour change (Prochaska’s TTM) Contemporary issues: technology & health (CBI’s in diabetes care – Cochrane reviews) Contemporary issues: ageing, health inequalities Future directions: current thinking on health theories and models
Module Overview:
This module provides a historical overview of health psychology with particular emphasis on key philosophical, conceptual and theoretical developments. It covers theoretical models of health beliefs, anxiety, fear and perceptions of illness. Moreover, it focuses on health behaviours as well as theoretical analyses and criticism. It helps you to gain knowledge of fundamental issues and perspectives implicated in understanding and predicting health behaviour.
Additional Information:This module aims to familiarise students with the fundamental issues and perspectives implicated in understanding and predicting health behaviour. The module will trace the historical and philosophical origins of health psychology and address key theoretical models incorporating constructs such as health beliefs, anxiety and fear, and perceptions of illness. The module will also cover relevant empirical (theory-based) research focusing on a wide range of health behaviours, as well as criticisms of theoretical models including relevant analytic and methodological constraints. The module teaches core areas of health psychology approved by the BPS including contexts and perspectives in health psychology, health behaviour, aspects of the epidemiology of health and illness, health beliefs and attitudes, and perceptions of risk.

Assessments

Exam
Essay