175739

Health Psychology: Understanding Health and Illness

An examination of how psychological factors enhance physical health or increase the risk of illness and disease. Theoretical and methodological aspects of etiology are given particular emphasis using examples from such areas as cardiovascular diseases and psychoneuroimmunology.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

175739

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

700-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

15

Subject

Psychology

Course planning information

General progression requirements

You may enrol in a postgraduate course (that is a 700-, 800- or 900-level course) if you meet the prerequisites for that course and have been admitted to a qualification which lists the course in its schedule.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Critically evaluate the theoretical and methodological issues that arise in attempts to provide psychophysiological explanations of disease etiology.
  • 2 Describe key findings and contributions to the study of health psychology.
  • 3 Analyze selected examples of research that provide psychophysiological explanations of disease.
  • 4 Evaluate research exploring symptom recognition including psychosocial, social, and cultural factors that may play a role in this process.
  • 5 Interpret research on client-health practitioner interactions through a critical lens.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 1 2 3 4 45%
Written Assignment 1 2 3 4 5 55%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

Textbooks can change. We recommend you wait until at least seven weeks before the semester starts to buy your textbooks.

Compulsory

HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY: A CRITICAL INTRODUCTION

Author
LYONS, A.C., & CHAMBERLAIN, K. (2006).
ISBN
9780521005265
Edition
2006
Publisher
CAMBRIDGE: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Notes
Note: also available as an e-book through the Massey Library

Campus Books stock textbooks and legislation. For more information visit Campus Books.