Health Psychology And Behaviour

Question 1

Health Behaviours

Answer 1

Health Behaviour = Aimed to prevent disease e.g. regular exercise
Illness Behaviour = Aimed to seek remedy e.g. going to the doctor
Sick Role Behaviour = Aimed at getting well e.g. taking medication

Question 2

Weinstein 1983 - Unrealistic optimism

Answer 2

Individuals continue to practice health damaging behaviour due to inaccurate perceptions of risk and susceptibility

Question 3

Perceptions of risk influenced by

Answer 3

1. Lack of personal experience with problem
2. Belief that it is preventable by personal action
3. Belief that if it has not happened by now, its not likely to
4. Belief that the problem is infrequent

Question 4

Points at which interventions are thought to be more effective

Answer 4

Transition points:
- Leaving school
- Entering the workforce
- Becoming a parent
- Becoming unemployed
- Retirement and bereavement

Question 5

Models of behaviour change

Answer 5

1. Health belief model
2. Theory of planned behaviour
3. Stages of change/ transtheoretical model
4. Social norms theory
5. Motivational interviewing
6. Social marketing
7. Nudging (choice architecture)
8. Financial incentives

Question 6

Health Belief Model

Answer 6

Individuals change their behaviour if: (Perceived barriers have been demonstrated to be the most important factor in addressing behaviour change in patients) :
1. Belief are susceptible to the condition
2. Belief in serious consequences
3. Believe taking action reduces susceptibility
4. Believe that taking benefits of action outweigh the costs
+ A cue to action
CRITIQUE:
- Does not consider outcome expectancy or self-efficacy
- Does not consider influence of emotions and behaviour
- Does not differentiate between first time and repeat behaviour

Question 7

Theory of planned behaviour - according to this model what 3 factors determine an individuals health behaviour?

Answer 7

• Attitudes toward the behaviour (behavioural beliefs)
• Subjective norm (normative beliefs)
• Perceived behavioural control (control beliefs)
  Proposes the best predictor of behaviour change is INTENTION: All can lead to the intention to change behaviour
  Only actual behavioural control can lead behavioural change
  CRITIQUE:
• Lacks temporal element or lack of direction and causality
• Doesn’t take into account emotions
• Doesn’t explain the 3 factors interact to determine intention
• Doesn’t take into account habits and routines

Question 8

Stages of the transtheorectical model of change

Answer 8

1. Pre-contemplation - no intention of changing behaviour
2. Contemplation - Aware of problem but no commitment to action
3. Preparation - Intent on taking action to address problem
4. Action - Active modification of behaviour
5. Maintenance - Sustained change, new behaviour replaces old
6. Relapse - Fall back into old patterns
   CRITIQUE:
   - Not all people move thro ugh every stage linearly
   - Change might operate on a continuum rather than discrete stages
   - Doesn’t take into account habits, culture, social and economics
   ADVANTAGES:
   - Accounts for relapse and temporal element