Assessment: essay (2500 words) [50%], class test [50%]

The module will serve as an introduction to psychology and sociology of health behaviours, which includes social, religious and cultural beliefs that impact food, nutrition and health. It also introduces theories and examples of methods to make health positive changes in human behaviour. It will discuss addiction including alcohol use and abuse and related issues and the effects of chronic stress both directly and (through dysfunctional behaviour) indirectly on health. It will therefore be considering environmental and financial/social factors, for example employment and chronic work stress. This will be done from a modern biopsychosocial theoretical perspective that attempts to integrate biological, psychological and social factors in health. The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the major theories and findings in the field and allow students to identify the specific contributions health psychology makes to our understanding of health, illness and nutrition.

*Course content subject to change