Module PSYS3347: The Psychology of Illness

Department: Psychology (Applied Psychology)

PSYS3347: The Psychology of Illness

Prerequisites

• 100 credits from C817 Psychology (Applied) Level 2 modules; or PSYC2081 Topics in Cognitive Psychology

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to theoretical approaches and empirical research in psychology that provides insights into how people make sense of illness and make decisions about their health care

Content

• The application of psychological theories and empirical research to understanding how people make sense of illness and make decisions abou ttheir health care (example topics: Threat appraisal; Symptom preception and reporting; Illness cognition, coping and recovery; Biases in diagnostic judgment and medical decision making; Risk communication; Consulting styles and patient satisfaction)

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge of health psychology including current theory, evidence, and research methods
• In-depth knowledge of some specialist sub-areas of applied psychology

• Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately

• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation, and data presentation
• Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Knowledge and understanding is developed through the weekly two hour sessions involving a variety of learning modes including lectures, video based material, and some small group work
• All modes of teaching are designed to promote critical evaluation of evidence and arguments, to adopt different theoretical positions, and to interpret empirical work in terms of its application to health promotion and disease prevention
• These abilities will be assessed in the written summative assignment. The assessment will be essay based, providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to appraise and apply empirical evidence and theoretical claims in a critical manner
• Preparations for the formative assignment and the examination promote students' abilities to locate, read and evaluate a body of evidence
• Feedback is provided for the formative assignment

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Assignment

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University