Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health

Module overview

This module introduces you to the scope of health psychology as an academic and applied branch of psychology. We explore patterns and causes of health and ill-health and examine a selection of major theoretical models. Key questions that we examine include: What is health psychology and why is it important? What is health and how can we measure it? How do psychological factors such as behaviour, personality, and social support influence health?

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Seminars in this module are delivered by the module co-ordinator and a selection of invited lecturers with special expertise in a particular topic. This module is delivered using a flipped approach. Lectures will emphasize active learning and you are expected to participate, for example in class discussions, debates, and other activities. To facilitate such involvement, you will be asked to do some preparatory work in advance of each session. To successfully complete the module, you will need to engage in your own personal study; to get you started we will provide a reading list for each topic. Opportunities for formative assessment and feedback are built into the module in the form of in-class teaching and learning activities, blended learning resources, and written feedback on assessment practice. These include, for example: small group work and presentations; small-group and whole class discussions; observed exercises; spontaneous and/or planned questions and answers; individual activity sheets; online learning guides; recorded educational materials; tutor and peer feedback on draft blogs. Staff provide verbal feedback during in-class activities to help you gauge and develop your knowledge and understanding.

Study time
Type	Hours
Teaching	36
Independent Study	154
Total study time	190

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Ogden, J. (2023). Health psychology: a textbook. Open University Press.

Charles Abraham; Mark Conner; Fiona Jones; Daryl O'Connor (2024). Health Psychology. Routledge.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	40%
Blog	60%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Blog	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal