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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Psychology

Undergraduate Course: Social Psychological Approaches to Health (PSYL10128)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course will focus on applying social psychology to study health. We will explore the variety of ways in which our health is determined by our own behaviour, as well as the behaviour of others, such as medical professionals, significant others, or even characters on TV. We will also look at changing behavior- why it is necessary, how it could be done, and how social psychology can help. Throughout the course, there will be a strong focus on methodology and critical evaluation of research.
Course description It is generally agreed that the medical model of health and illness is not sufficient to understand human health. The main contribution of health psychology has been to highlight the role of behaviour as a determinant of good or ill physical health. Behavioural factors, such as smoking, unhealthy diet or lack of exercise, contribute to the most debilitating illnesses of the 21st century. Behaviour change techniques are at the core of illness prevention, and psychology, as the science of behavior, is key to preventing illness and improving health.

Each week will focus on a different aspect of how psychology can improve our understanding of health, drawing predominantly from health psychology (how does behavior influence health?) and social psychology (how do social factors influence health-related behavior and health?). The classes will consist of a mixture of lectures, large and small group discussions, and presentations.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Research Methods and Statistics 2 (PSYL10126) AND Research Methods & Statistics 3 (PSYL10127)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesDegree major in Psychology and passes in Psychology courses at least to the equivalent of Junior Honors level in Edinburgh. Prior agreement with the 4th Year Honors Course Organiser.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  51
Course Start Block 2 (Sem 1)
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 88 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 100% coursework: Essay (2000 words, 70%), submission of short written exercises (20%) and weekly quizzes (10%)
Feedback Provided weekly in the form of brief discussion questions covered in class, and potentially online.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Develop an understanding of how social psychology can be applied to issues related to health and illness
  2. Be able to analyse existing health campaigns in terms of psychological theory
  3. Be able to critically analyse existing research in the areas of health psychology and behavioural medicine
  4. Understand major theories in health psychology
  5. Understand major new directions in social psychology
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information Each week will focus on a different aspect of how psychology can improve our understanding of health, drawing predominantly from health psychology (how does behavior influence health?) and social psychology (how do social factors influence health-related behavior and health?). The classes will consist of a mixture of lectures, large and small group discussions, and presentations. This class is taught by Dr Kasia Banas.
KeywordsPsychology,Social Psychology,Health Psychology,Health
Contacts
Course organiserDr Kasia Banas
Tel: (0131 6)50 2907
Email: Kasia.Banas@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Catherine Renton
Tel: (0131 6)50 3602
Email: crenton2@ed.ac.uk
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