Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Health psychology is the application of psychological science and practice to the promotion and maintenance of health-related behaviour and healthy outcomes, the prevention and treatment of illness, the identification of causes and diagnostic correlates of health and illness, the analysis and improvement of the health care system, as well as the dissemination of knowledge to promote human health. This unit discusses health psychology as a specialisation within psychology by dealing with the psychological dimension of physical illness, health, and health care. Specifically, it focuses on developing your understanding of the key theoretical, research and methodological assessment issues that are relevant to the discipline of health psychology. The unit has a strong focus on health psychology in an Australian context with particular emphasis on cross-cultural and indigenous health-related issues. Completion of units in social psychology, developmental psychology, or personality would be beneficial for your successful progress through the unit.

Aims

This unit aims to provide an understanding of the theoretical and research foundations, and applications of health psychology.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the unit, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive and extensive understanding of the major theories of health psychology and the ability to retrieve, synthesise and critically reflect on current research in health psychology as well as understand the methodologies, measurement and assessments employed in health psychology.


2. Demonstrate an understanding of cross-cultural, indigenous, and gender-related implications and philosophies of health psychology theory and research in a climate that shows an adherence to professional and ethical practice.


3. Demonstrate an understanding of the biological, psychological, and social determinants of health and illness.


4. Possess an ability to convey written and oral communication skills regarding health psychology in a concise and thorough manner required within the psychological profession.

Content

The content in this unit discusses definitions of health and health psychology; the role of health psychology; the determinants of health behaviours (e.g., cognitive, attitudinal, motivational, personality, social, developmental); medical settings and patient behaviour; patient and practitioner communication; stress, illness, and coping; pain and pain management; and chronic and terminal illness in childhood and adulthood.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit has two components: A weekly 2-hour lecture program and a 1-hour tutorial/seminar program. Lectures will address the theoretical and research foundations of health psychology. You should gain a sound theoretical and research-based understanding of health psychology by revising the lecture content and recommended readings. Tutorials and seminars will provide you with the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge you have acquired in a number of practical ways (e.g., health psychology assessment methods; health psychology management strategies) as well as providing guidance relevant to assessment.

Assessment

The assessment for PYB307 consists of three components as described below.

Assessment name: Individual Essay
Description: An individual essay on a current health issue. Students must demonstrate their understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of this area of Health Psychology as well as the most current research and its applications. Full details and Essay topic will be provided in Week 1 of Semester. The essay will be in APA format and will include and abstract.
Word Limit: 3000 words
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Oral Presentation
Description: Students will present a 15 minute oral presentation supporting an advertising campaign designed to effect change in a Health Behaviour. This campaign will incorporate current theory that demonstrates behaviour change through a public medium and will demonstrate the rationale for the proposed effectiveness of the campaign given current theory. Full details of this assessment will be provided in Week 1 of Semester.This assessment will be due end semester (during tutorials).
Relates to objectives: 1, 3 & 4.
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: A final examination consisting of multiple choice questions relating to the recommended readings, lecture and tutorial content.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Textbook: To be advised.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 13-Sep-2012