Run by School of Medical and Health Sciences

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Nathan Bray

There are many flavours of behaviour change – some rely on persuasion and changing attitudes, others on goal-setting and conscious intention. But some drivers of behaviour operate below conscious awareness and can override intentions and goals. Indeed, when designed carefully, behaviour change interventions work best when they bypass cognitive systems and work directly to develop automatic routines and habits. This strategy not only makes it easier for people to make healthy and positive choices by default, but also reduces the likelihood that opposition to authority or low motivation will negatively impact behaviour. This module will introduce you to some of the key behaviour change theories and tools with specific focus on how they can be used to promote healthy behaviour change. This will be presented within the context of a systems leadership approach to explore how healthy behaviour change can be facilitated within and across organisations.

Workshops will introduce you to the main concepts in the psychology of behaviour change and provide you with an opportunity to explore the topic by considering real-world case studies.

A lecture series will also provide an understanding of behaviour change psychology and how this can be used to nudge positive behaviours. These lectures will also give specific guidance on how to apply these skills in a health setting. Each lecture will be accompanied by a reading list accessible through the University library.

Assessments will enable you to evidence your knowledge in an essay and demonstrate your applied understanding in a poster focusing on how to make healthier behavioural choices.

threshold

C+ to C- • Limited insight into the social, economic, and cultural complexities of health equity • Some knowledge of concepts relating to the psychology of behaviour change • Understanding of the main concepts, but with factual errors in non-core concepts • Limited analysis showing only obvious points of evaluation and links between ideas • Highly limited originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Highly limited evidence of independent research • Arguments presented but lack coherence with evidence for only some claims • Focused but with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure • Acceptable presentation with appropriate expression • Attempt at correct format in appropriate referencing style

good

B+ to B- • Some insight into the social, economic, and cultural complexities of health equity • Strong knowledge of concepts relating to the psychology of behaviour change • Clear understanding and mostly free of factual errors • Some analysis showing critical evaluation and links between ideas • Some originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Some independent research • Coherent arguments with evidence for most claims • Focused and well structured • Good presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Mostly correct format in appropriate referencing style

excellent

A* to A- • Insightful awareness into how psychological behaviour change theories can impact on health behaviours • Comprehensive knowledge of concepts relating to the psychology of behaviour change • Detailed understanding with no factual errors • Critical analysis showing evaluation and synthesis of ideas • Originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Extensive independent research • Logically defended arguments with evidence for all claims • Highly focused and well structured • Excellent presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Correct format in appropriate referencing style

1. Design an appropriate behavioural change intervention which impacts on health behaviours.

2. Critically appreciate the psychological factors (e.g. mental health, resilience, etc) and socio-cultural factors (e.g. poverty, norms, etc) which may impact on health behaviour choices.

3. Hold an evidence-informed and comprehensive understanding of behaviour and effective behaviour change approaches for physical activity, health, and wellbeing.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
COURSEWORK	Behaviour Change Poster	Poster focusing on how to make healthier behavioural choices.	50.00
ESSAY	Behaviour Change Essay	Essay evidencing your knowledge of the psychology of behaviour change.	50.00

		Hours
Workshop	Two 5hr workshops (Introduction and Advanced)	10
Lecture	10hrs of pre-recorded lectures available for on-demand access	10
Private study	80hrs of independent study to complete associated readings and produce assessments	80

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• Critically understand behavioural change theories
• Critical insight into the role of collaborative system leadership and systems agenda
• Applied understanding of how to use system leadership and systems agenda to effect transformational change in attitudes to health

Resource implications for students

None

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/ila-4008.html

Reading list

Glanz, Rimer, Viswanath, Glanz, Karen, Rimer, Barbara K., and Viswanath, K. Health Behavior : Theory, Research, and Practice. Fifth ed. 2015. Print. Jossey-bass Public Health. Prestwich, A., Kenworthy, J., & Conner, M. (2017). Health behavior change: Theories, methods and interventions. Routledge. Macdonald, I., Burke, C. G., & Stewart, K. (2006). Systems leadership: Creating positive organizations. Gower Publishing, Ltd..