Health Behaviour Flashcards
Define health related behaviours
Anything that may promote good health or lead to illness
Examples of health related behaviours
Smoking
Drinking
Excercise
What are the three theories used to understand health related behaviours
Learning theories
Social cognition models
Integrative model (COM-B)
What are the three categories of learning theories?
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Social learning theory
Describe how classical conditioning works
Association of a cue with a behaviour - emotional or environmental
Use this to change the association with the cue
Give an example of using classical conditioning for treatment
Disulfiram used in alcohol dependence treatment
Makes patient feel nauseous when drinking alcohol
Describe operant conditioning
Behaviour shaped by consequences - punishment + reward
Behaviour is driven by short term rewards
Unhealthy behaviours are immediately rewarding
What are the limitations of classical and operant limitations
Doesn’t take into account:
Knowledge, cognitive processes, beliefs, attitudes, expectations
No account of social context
Describe the social learning theory
People learn from people around them
Behaviour is goal directed - motivated if they are valued (lead to rewards) and believe they can do it
Influence of family, peers, celebs
Describe the bandura and bobo doll experiments
2 groups of children watched adults hit a scary doll
1 group of adults was told off
That group of children were less likely to copy
What are three branches of social cognition models?
Cognitive dissonance theory
Health belief model
Theory of planned behaviour
Describe the cognitive dissonance theory
Situation involves conflicting attitudes, beliefs or behaviours
Causes mental discomfort
Change in attitude, belief or behaviour
Reduces discomfort
Describe how the cognitive dissonance theory links to health information
Providing health information
Creates mental discomfort
Prompts change in behaviour or behaviour
Describe the health belief model
Belief in personal threat of illness or disease
And belief in effectiveness of health related behaviour
Predicts likelihood of person taking action
Describe the theory of planned behaviour
Likelihood of engagement in health behaviour is related to:
The strength of their intentions to engage
Perceived control - whether they think they can do something
Problem in translating intentions into behaviour
