Health Psychology, 6 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

Knowledge and Understanding
The student:

• Understands and defines the concepts of health and unhealth
• Uses models to understand such as stress/vulnerability, symptom perception and, health behaviors
• Describes how psychological mechanisms affects health and unhealthy
• Describes how unhealth can develop from a psychological perspective
• Describes how health can be promoted by psychological methods
• Describes and understands how social factors and models, such as demographic factors, mens violence towards women and, intimate partner violence, affects health and unhealthy.

Skills and Abilities
The student:

• Applies the concepts health and unhealth on contemporary health issues.
• Applies models on among other things stress/vulnerability, symptom perception and health behaviors on case studies
• Applies models over development of health and unhealthy on case studies
• Identfies clinically relevant scientific studies in health psychology

Evaluation Ability and Approach
The student:

• analyzes and appraises models on among other things stress/vulnerability, symptom perception and, health behaviors.
• Analyzes and appraises clinically relevant scientific studies in health psychology
• Analyzes and appraises models of development of health and unhealth
• Analyzes and appraises social factors and models, such as demographic factors, mens violence towards women and intimate partner violence, and their effect on health and unhealthy
• Shows a professional and scientific approach in group discussions and in writing

Main content of the course

This course presents the foundations of Health Psychology, and the principles and mechanisms within the subject that concern promotion of health and prevention of ill-health. Some focus will be on understanding preventive work from a Health Psychology perspective.

Teaching methods

Teaching is done in the form of lectures, group assignments and seminars.
Teaching formats include lectures, seminars and group work. The course will be offered in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Health Psychology, 5 credits (Code: A001)
Written individual examination.

Health Psychology, Seminars, 1 credits (Code: A002)
Attendance and performance during seminars is compulsory. Absence from a compulsory education element could mean that the student cannot complete the part until the next time the course is offered.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Health Psychology
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Health Psychology, Seminars
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E, or G where applicable, is required for all components on the course. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for each examination assignment, grades A-E, are first converted to the numerical values 5-1. An average value is then calculated, also taking into account the number of credits for each module in relation to the total number of credits for the course. The course grade is thus awarded by means of a weighted average of the examination assignments included on the course.

Specific entry requirements

Psychology, Basic Course, 30 credits

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Taylor, Shelley E. (latest edition)
Health psychology
McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Additional reading such as scientific articles might be added. If a more recent edition of a required book is available, the latest edition is recommended.