Module Description
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Title / Introduction to human psychology applied to health care
Code / N1138
Level / 4
Credit rating / 10 points
Prerequisites / None
Type / Extensive
Aims / To enable students to:
  • Develop an understanding of the basic psychological concepts related to health care
  • Develop an insight into the psychological issues commonly encountered in health care practice

Learning outcomes/objectives / By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of some key psychological themes, concepts and perspectives.
  • Identify how human psychology theory aids in the understanding of individuals
  • Understand how knowledge of human psychology can contribute to the provision of quality, holistic health care.
UKCC outcomes contributed to by this module:
1.1b; 1.2a; 1.3; 2.1a,b; 2.3; 2.4; 2.5a,b,c; 3.1; 3.2a; 4.1a.
Bench marking statements contributed to by this module:2.A.1; 2.A.5; 2.C.3; 2.C.4; 2.C.6; 2.B.5; 2.B.7; 2.B.1; 2.C.1; 2.C.7; 2.B.2; 2.B.10; 2.A.1
Content / Key psychological themes will be introduced in the first session and these themes will be threaded through subsequent sessions.
Themes:
  • Definitions of human psychology, health psychology, psychopathology and different perspectives within psychology.
  • Development, adaptation and coping throughout the life cycle.
  • The mind-body relationship and the value of a holistic approach to care.
Session content will be focused on the following concepts, and will be applied to health care:
  • MOTIVATION- to include instincts, drives, needs and psychobiology. Applied to stages of development, stress and adaptation.
  • COGNITION-to include how thoughts are structured, how memory works throughout the lifespan. Locus of control, self efficacy and how these may affect individual differences in relation to beliefs, attitudes to self, work and health.
  • PERSONALITY- ideas about development, stability and change. Relationships between personality and work, health and adaptation throughout life will be explored.
  • SOCIAL PERCEPTION- to include how we see ourselves in relation to others, how we make judgements about self and others and how these factors can influence our beliefs and feelings about our health.

Teaching and learning strategies / Average of 2 hours contact teaching for 13 weeks. All sessions will require some preparatory reading or pre-session activity. Teaching strategies to include: workshops, discussion groups and experiential exercises.
Learning support / Tutorial support from academic staff with a psychology background
Indicative reading lists, and session notes available on student intranet.
Indicative reading:
Alder B. (1995), Psychology of Health: applications of psychology for health professionals, Harwood Academic.
Atkinson R.I, RC.Atkinson, E.Smith, D. Bem, S. Nolen-Hocksema, (2000), Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology, (13th ed), Harcourt College Publishers.
Malim T., & A. Birch, (1998), Introductory Psychology, Palgrave.
Pitts M., K. & Phillips, (eds), (1998), The Psychology of Health, (2nd ed), Routledge.
Sarafino E., (2001), Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial Interactions, (4th ed), John Wiley and Sons.
Scott P., C. Spencer, (eds), (1998), Psychology: a Contemporary Introduction, Blackwell.
Western D., (2001), Psychology, (3rd ed), Wiley.
Assessment / 2000 word essay.
The assignment task requires the student to discuss how knowledge of one of the following theories or concepts informs his/her understanding of nursing/midwifery practice;
  • Motivation
  • Memory
  • Beliefs
  • Perception of self and others
  • Personality

Brief description of module and/or aims / The module is concerned with providing the student with an understanding of fundamental psychological concepts and theories that contribute to quality holistic health care practice. It seeks to enable the students to begin to make sense of health psychology literature and to start to develop insights into psychological issues that arise for themselves and their patients/clients and colleagues.
Area examination boards / BSc (Hons)Nursing – pre registration
Module team/authors / Carole Cheales, Sue Sully, Martin Jordan, Sharon Youngs, Julian Seal and Alison Keen
Semester offered / Semester 1. Year 1.
Timetable slots(s) / Monday 2-4
Site where delivered / Eastbourne
Date of first approval / 18.2.97
Date of last revision
Date of approval of this version / 9/1/02
Version number / 2
Replacement for previous module / NI102
Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field / Nursing and Midwifery
Compulsory
Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in course / BSc (Hons) Nursing, BSc (Hons) European Nursing, Midwifery
Compulosry
Departmental home / INAM
External examiner / Brian Savage