Module NHS-4004:
Social & Behavioural Science

Run by School of Health Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Jaci Huws

The module aims to develop students' knowledge and critical understanding of social, psychological, and cultural influences affecting health. The module aims to develop comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of health and well-being, and the determinants that influence and impact on people's health and well-being. A critical exploration of key sociological and psychological theories and research will enable students to understand what influences health behaviour, and the factors that are associated with health behaviour change. These skills will enable students to understand and challenge issues that impact upon the sustainability of health.

This module explores the social, psychological, and cultural influences affecting people's health and health-related behaviours. Content focuses on:

• Definitions of health and well-being;
• Behaviour Change - Psychological Perspectives;
• Behaviour Change - Sociological Perspectives;
• Theories and Models of Behaviour Change;
• Social Determinants of Health;
• Social Inequalities.

threshold

C+ - C-

Demonstrates some knowledge and understanding of relevant material for this module, and a limited use of it to answer the question set with little independent thinking. Limited use of material from the module and other relevant information to support arguments; most of the references are drawn on appropriately to support discussion and presented correctly in both text and references list. Limited awareness of conflicting arguments and ideas but no real attempt to address them; some limited ability to analyse and to critically evaluate material. A framework for the assignment is apparent but logical flow and coherence not always consistent with acceptable use of written language.

good

B+ - B-

Demonstrate adequate knowledge and understanding of relevant material, using it to answer the question set and showing independent thinking. Good use of material from the module and other relevant information to support arguments; references are drawn on appropriately to support discussion and are presented fully and correctly in both text and references list. Some awareness of conflicting arguments and ideas and a good attempt to address them; some ability to analyse and to critically evaluate material. Sensible use of the major points with very good signposting and balance between sections with good use of written language.

excellent

A* - A-

Demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of relevant material, using it to answer the question set and showing independent thinking. Excellent use of material from the module and other relevant information to support arguments; references are drawn on appropriately to support discussion presented fully and correctly in both text and references list. Excellent awareness of conflicting arguments and ideas and a good attempt to address them; ability to analyse and to critically evaluate material. Excellent organisation of the major points with very good signposting and balance between sections with fluent use of written language.

1. 1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the prominent theories, models and concepts relating to health, and health-related behaviour.
2. 1. Critically evaluate the factors that influence health-behaviour change, demonstrating an in-depth and critical understanding of psychosocial perspectives.
3. 1. Critically analyse health and wellbeing, and evaluate the social determinants that affect these.
4. 1. Critically discuss the factors that influence health-related behaviours.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT	Research Blogs	Formative assessment: Select 3 peer reviewed research articles published within the past 10 years. Each article should focus on the same health-related topic or behaviour from a psychological and/or sociological perspective. In three seperate blogs, write a summary of each article, and discuss at length how the findings contribute to your understanding of health behaviour and behaviour change.	0
REPORT	Article for a lay audience	Part 1 Summative assessment: Write an article suitable for a lay audience (such as readers of a popular magazine or newspaper). The article should focus a health-related topic or behaviour from a psychological and/or sociological perspective, and should focus on health behaviour and behaviour change. The style of writing should be suitable for a lay audience.	30
ESSAY	Critical discussion - issues affecting health behaviour and change.	Part II Summative assessment: Focussing on the health-related topic or behaviour selected in Part I, critically discuss and analyse the social and psychological factors that influence health behaviour and health behaviour change within a specified setting. An academic style of writing should be used.	70
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT	Student-led formative exercises	Online Discussion Board: Students will be required to lead and engage in weekly Discussion Boards (these are monitored and moderated by the Module Convenor).	0

		Hours
Lecture	Lead lectures & group work: The lectures comprise formal presentations, class discussions, seminars, and group exercises. Lectures are interactive and students are encouraged to actively participate and contribute.	36
Private study	Lectures are supported with additional academic materials and resources. Students are also encouraged to: use library and multi-media resources (such as the Internet, newspapers, radio, television) and engage in Blackboard Group discussions. Students are encouraged to use electronic learning resources. Relevant lecture material, reading lists, and a list of relevant Internet resources are available on the course specific Blackboard site; students are also asked to add any relevant or useful material to this module site.	136
Tutorial	Tutorials: Students are required to attend individual and group tutorials to facilitate the development of critical appraisal skills.	4
Study group	Online Discussion Board: Students will be required to lead and engage in weekly one-hour (minimum) Discussion Boards. These are led by the students, and are monitored and moderated by the Module Convenor.	12
Individual Project	Formative assessment Blogs: Students are required to write 3 blogs. Each blog focuses on a peer reviewed research article published within the past 10 years, and each article should focus on the same health-related topic or behaviour from a psychological and/or sociological perspective. The blogs will contain a summary of each article and a discussion outlining how the findings contribute to students' understanding of health behaviour and behaviour change.	12

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• 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.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• 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
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

• Knowledge and critical understanding of social, psychological, and cultural influences affecting health.
• Knowledge and critical understanding of health and well-being, and the determinants that influence and impact on people's health and well-being.
• Critical understanding of what influences health behaviour, and the factors that are associated with health behaviour change.
• Understanding of the issues that impact upon the sustainability of health.

Resource implications for students

Access to a computer, and the internet.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/nhs-4004.html

Reading list

Reading lists will be available and updated via Talis for each academic year. This online database is module specific, and contains references to material that is current and topical (and includes electronically accessible material). http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/nhs-4004.html