Lecture 1 - Psychological Influences

Question 1

What is the leading cause of disease?

Answer 1

Behaviour

Question 2

What is health behaviour?

Answer 2

Behaviour that may have implications for health

Question 3

Behaviour

Answer 3

The actions or reactions of an individual to a situation – can be conscious or unconscious, voluntary or involuntary

Question 4

Some aspects of lifestyle you may cover in a consultation with any patient when giving advice to promote a healthier lifestyle

Answer 4

Diet
Exercise
Alcohol
Smoking
Illicit drug use
Sexual health

Question 5

What were the leading causes of death in the US in 2000?

Answer 5

Tobacco use
Poor diet and physical inactivity
Alcohol consumption

Question 6

What are some good diet changes?

Answer 6

Eating 5 a day
Reduce saturated fats
Reduce salt intake

Question 7

Give some key behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases

Answer 7

Smoking
Obesity
Poor diet
Lack of physical activity / sedentary behaviour
Excessive alcohol consumption

Question 8

What are the determinants of health behaviour?

Answer 8

Background factors

Stable factors - personality/individual dispositions (refers to variation between people, produce responses that are stable across time and context)

Social factors - social connections in the immediate environment

Situational factors - current situation

We bring with us, to any situation, the cumulative influence of background, stable and social factors, which we combine in various ways to form an understanding of our current situation. In most cases, our understanding (appraisal) of the situation determines our behaviour within it.

Question 9

What are the three types of individual differences?

Answer 9

Emotional dispositions - present
Generalised expectancies - formulating expectations in relation to future outcomes
Explanatory styles - causes of negative past events

Question 10

What can emotional dispositions be split into?

Answer 10

Negative affect

Emotional expression

Question 11

What is self efficacy? (generalised expectancies)

Answer 11

Belief in one’s own ability to organise and execute a course of action, and the expectation that the action will result in, or lead to, a desired outcome

Locus of control is the other thing

Question 12

How do stable factors influence appraisal?

Answer 12

They determine if, and to what extent, an event is salient, i.e. sensitivity towards particular types of event

They provide a generalised framework for understanding and evaluating the event, e.g. as threat or challenge

They make available, or suggest, potential responses, i.e. initial response options

Question 13

Self - efficacy =

Answer 13

Belief in ability to change

Question 14

What does self - efficacy underpin?

Answer 14

Goal-setting
Effort investment
Persistence in face of barriers
Recovery from setbacks

Question 15

What is the general self - efficacy score?

Answer 15

Schwarzer and Jerusalem (1995)

Question 16

What is the point in social cognition theories?

Answer 16

Social cognition theories attempt to explain the relationship between social cognitions (e.g. beliefs, attitudes, goals, etc.) and behaviour

Question 17

What are some examples of social cognition theories?

Answer 17

Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, 1966)

Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1988)

Transtheoretical Model (Prochaska and DiClemente, 1983)

Question 18

What are three examples of behaviour change initiatives?

Answer 18

Reduce smoking
Reduce drink drive limit
Free condoms

Question 19

What are some NICE interventions/programmes aimed at populations?

Answer 19

1) Fiscal and legislative interventions
2) National and local advertising and mass media campaigns (for example, information
campaigns, promotion of positive role models and general promotion of health-enhancing
behaviours)
3) Point of sale promotions and interventions (for example, working in partnership with private
sector organisations to offer information, price reductions or other promotions

Question 20

What are some NICE interventions/programmes aimed at communities?

Answer 20

Invest in interventions and programmes that identify and build on the strengths of individuals and communities and the relationships within communities e.g.

1) Support organisations and institutions that offer opportunities for local people to take part in
2) The planning and delivery of services
3) Support organisations and institutions that promote participation in leisure and voluntary activities
4) Promote resilience and build skills, by promoting positive social networks and helping to develop relationships

Question 21

What are some NICE interventions/programmes aimed at communities?

Answer 21

Commissioners, service providers and practitioners working with individuals should select interventions that motivate and support people to e.g.

1) Feel positive about the benefits of health-enhancing behaviours and changing their behaviour
2) Plan their changes in terms of easy steps over time
3) Recognise how their social contexts and relationships may affect their behaviour,
4) Plan explicit ‘if-then’ coping strategies to prevent relapse

Question 22

What is a good model for goals?

Answer 22

S = specific
M = measurable 
A = achievable
R = realistic
T = timely

Think of a goal for one of the following:

• Increasing exercise
• Eating more healthily
• Drinking less alcohol
• Or any other health behaviour that is relevant to you

Question 23

Background factors =
Stable factors =
Social factors =
Situational factors =

Answer 23

Cultural norms; SES; Gender; Ethnicity; Genes; Chronic health status

Emotional disposition, Generalised expectancies; Explanatory styles

Perceived support (family, friends, peers, etc.); Subjective norm; Helping relationships

Situation-specific self-efficacy; Perceived risk; Emotional response; Intention (motivation); Outcome evaluation