Studying at York
Psychology of Health - PSY00093M
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
Psychology of Health combines the areas of medical and health psychology exploring and emphasizing the role of psychological factors in the cause, progression and consequences of health and illness. It is also concerned with understanding how psychological and cultural factors contribute to healthcare overall. Psychology of health aims to understand and explain the role of behaviour in aetiology of illness, relationship between psychology and physiology, and role of psychology in experience and treatment of illness. It has also practical aims of integrating psychological care into general medical practice. The goal of this course is to introduce the students to the most relevant aspects of health and medical psychology such as behavioral medicine, medical image interpretation, pain and neuropsychology, the research being done on these topics and to consider how this knowledge is applied in practice.
Module learning outcomes
- Construct different aspects of health attitudes, behaviour and behaviour change and critically assess on the relationship between them.
- Compare and contrast different biopsychosocial paradigms in understanding the role of behaviour in aetiology of illness and its treatment.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding how psychological interventions can improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of physical health and illness.
- Critically assess the linkage between different psychological factors (perception, cognition, social) present in medical practice and reduction of medical errors.
- Critically evaluate empirical research relating to current issues in health and medical psychology.
- Evaluate how research on psychology of health from a wide range of research fields and methods can inform real-world issues and healthcare practice and the practical implications of specific research findings.
Module content
- Health beliefs, behaviour and behaviour change
- Medical image interpretation and reducing medical errors
- Psychology throughout the course of illness (e.g., depression in cancer patients and chemo brain)
- Pain management and placebo effects
- Rehabilitation for neurological disorders (e.g., brain Injury, stroke, dementia, aphasias, epilepsy)
- Public and community-level interventions for promoting health and adherence to medical treatment
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.
Indicative reading
None specified.