Public health

Question 1

What is the social norm theory?

Answer 1

Behaviours are influenced by the perception of what the behavioural norm is

Question 2

8 models/ theories of behaviour change

Answer 2

Health belief model
Theory of planned behaviour
Transtheoretical model
Motivational interviewing
Social norms theory
Social marketing
Nudging (choice architecture)
Financial incentives

Question 3

4 principles of the health belief model

Answer 3

An individual will change their behaviour if they believe:
- they are susceptible to the condition in question
- that the condition has serious consequences
- that taking the action will reduce susceptibility
- that the benefits of taking the action outweigh the costs

Question 4

What types of cues may trigger behavioural change?

Answer 4

Internal (e.g symptoms)
and external symptoms (e.g reminder letter)

Question 5

critiques of the health belief model

Answer 5

• alternative factors may predict the health behaviour such as outcome expectancy and self efficacy
• the model does not take into account how emotions influence behaviour
• it does not differentiate between first time and repeat behaviour
• cues to action are often missing

Question 6

What is the the main principle of the theory of planned behaviour

Answer 6

The best predictor of behaviour is intention

Question 7

What determines intention in TPB

Answer 7

• a persons attitude to the behaviour
• the perceived social pressure to the undertake the behaviour (subjective norm)
• a person’s appraisal of their ability to perform the behaviour (perceived behavioural control)

Question 8

What actions may be used to help people act on their intentions?

Answer 8

• perceived control
• anticipated regret
• preparatory actions
• implementation intentions
• relevance to self

Question 9

What does perceived control involve

Answer 9

Recalling previous success

Question 10

What does anticipated regret involve?

Answer 10

getting people to reflect on past times

Question 11

What does preparatory actions involve?

Answer 11

breaking tasks into small goals

Question 12

What does implementation intentions involve?

Answer 12

formulates if and then plans in the time and context of making the behaviour change

Question 13

What is the transtheoretical model of behaviour change?

Answer 13

proposes 5 stages of behavioural change:
- precontemplation
- contemplation
- preparation
- action
- maintenance

Question 14

Positives of the transtheoretical model of behavioural change

Answer 14

• acknowledges individual differences (tailored interventions)
• accounts for relapse
• temporal element

Question 15

critiques of the transtheoretical model

Answer 15

• not all people move through every stage
• change mak