Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to major theoretical and empirical perspectives on the psychology of health and wellbeing. It examines the psychosocial determinants of health and wellness as well as psychological theories of health protection and illness prevention. Issues relating to the psychological aspects of illness causation and interpretation, prevention, maintenance of primary prevention, and chronic diseases will be covered. Further, the unit will cover major sources of stress and models of stress and coping. Mechanisms, theories and principles of behaviour change will be explored, as well as communication skills needed to work with groups and individuals engaging in behaviour change. As such, experience in team-building will feature in this unit as students will serve as a resource for each other's learning experience.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain individual and population-based approaches to health, wellbeing, and coping.
2.	Apply theoretical and empirical knowledge to explain and predict health behaviour.
3.	Appraise the impacts of cross-cultural differences, gender, disease and chronic illness on health behaviour.
4.	Communicate psychological health and well-being concepts for a range of audiences.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 points at introductory level
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KHA359

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Several changes were made to the assessment criteria and weighting in response to student feedback. The overall weighting of the exam has been reduced, while the weight for the theoretical description in assignment 1b was increased. Criteria for assignment 2 were edited for parsimony and clarity. The readings which were listed as required are now listed as recommended to reduce the workload associated with the unit. A practical was added for Week 1 in line with current University expectations.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Designing Health Infographic	Week 6	15 %	LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Infographic reflection	Week 6	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Case study (Individual assessment task)	Week 10	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Final Exam	Exam Period	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Designing Health Infographic

Task Description:

Assessment Task 1a
You will be tasked with the design and development of an Infographic to address a maladaptive health behaviour. Specific topics will be provided in class.

The Infographic should be targeted to a specifically defined population (i.e. not for a general population). Prominent examples include specific age and cultural groups.

Task Length:

1 single sided, A4 -page Infographic

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Effectively use evidence-based approaches to develop a compelling health message to the target population.	LO2, LO4
2	Communicate health messages clearly and appropriately to the target population	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Infographic reflection

Task Description:

Assessment task 1b. You are required to draw upon your understanding of established theories of behavioural change and social determinants of health to critically appraise the strengths and weaknesses of their infographic.

Task Length:

800 Words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and justify the psychological processes that underpin the infographic	LO1, LO2
2	Apply an understanding of cultural and social process in health behaviours	LO2, LO3
3	Communicate clearly and concisely using a writing style appropriate for the intended audience.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Case study (Individual assessment task)

Task Description:

You will be presented with a case study describing a health promotion program and asked to identify psychological factors that may be involved. Subsequently, you will produce a written report that collates and synthesises empirical research to inform and improve the program.

Task Length:

1,200 words maximum

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Highlight and explain the main psychological principles relevant to the case study.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Incorporate information and evidence from credible sources to provide depth to your case study evaluation.	LO1, LO2
3	Apply findings from relevant empirical research in health psychology to improve the health promotion program.	LO1, LO2
4	Communicate clearly and concisely using a writing style appropriate for the intended audience	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Final Exam

Task Description:

The final exam will consist of both multichoice questions (MCQ) and short-answer questions. The exam will be designed to assess the interpretation and application of knowledge, comprehension skills, and critical thinking skills rather than only knowledge recall.
The exam will be available and submitted through MyLO.

Task Length:

2 hour exam

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply theoretical and empirical knowledge and critical reasoning skills to define, explain, predict and evaluate health behaviour in a variety of contexts.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Effectively communicate your understanding of relevant topics in health	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.