Psychology of Health - PSY00058H
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2026-27 |
Module aims
Psychology of Healthexplores how psychological, behavioural, and cultural factors shape health, illness, and healthcare. The course examines the interaction between psychology and physiology, the role of behaviour in the development and experience of illness, and how psychological knowledge can improve medical practice. Students will be introduced to key topics in health and medical psychology, including behavioural medicine, medical image interpretation, pain, and neuropsychology, with an emphasis on current research and real-world applications in healthcare settings.
Module learning outcomes
- Differentiate different aspects of health attitudes, behaviour and behaviour change and reflect on the relationship between them.
- Describe biopsychosocial paradigm in understanding the role of behaviour in aetiology of illness and its treatment.
- Evaluate how psychological interventions can improve diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of physical health and illness.
- Construct the linkage between different psychological factors (perception, cognition, social) present in medical practice and reduction of medical errors.
- Analyse and describe 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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60.0 |
| Essay/coursework | 40.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60.0 |
| Essay/coursework | 40.0 |
Module feedback
The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.
Indicative reading
None specified.