University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USPJDE-20-2 Title: HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY Version: 6
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Health & Life Sciences Field: Psychology
Valid from: September 2006 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites: USPJCN-20-1 Brain, Mind and Behaviour - An Introduction, or
USPJCL-20-1 Research Design and Methods 1
Co-requisites: USPJDC-20-2 Research Design and Methods 2
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
• Explain and discuss the application of physiological and psychological concepts to normal functioning, altered health and some health care situations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts used to explain individual differences in health and behaviour. Critically evaluate models of stress, pain and relevant self-management programmes.
• Discuss the pharmacology, physiology and psychology of pain management. Appreciate the challenges inherent in the assessment of pain.
• Demonstrate an understanding of psychophysiological principles relevant to psychosomatic illness.
• Critically evaluate the use of psychoactive drugs in the investigation and treatment of psychological disturbances.
• Apply psychological models to neurological illness and understanding of normal brain function. Evaluate the contribution made by placebos to the management of pain and psychiatric illness.
• Appreciate individual differences and their relevance to psychophysiology and health psychology.
Syllabus outline:
Stress
Primitive Fear reflex. Theories and models of stress: stimulus based, response based, transactional, diathesis, conservation of resources, and ecological. Current stress research. Physiological responses to stress, General Adaptation Syndrome. Hormone changes and sympathetic arousal.
Psychoneuroimmunology: stress and the immune system. The role of stress in illness and disease; psychosomatic illness. Examples: coronary heart disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastric ulcers, migraine, asthma. Individual differences and the consequences of stress. Stereotypy and Stimulus Specificity.
Approaches to stress management and support from Health Education.
Pain
Types of pain: acute, chronic, episodic, neurogenic, psychogenic, idiopathic.
Social and psychological influences on the experience of pain and on reporting pain; individual pain perception, pain behaviours.
Theories of pain; measurement of pain and pain behaviours, physiological and diagnostic techniques based on the language of pain: pain assessment; self-report techniques; questionnaires.
Problems and issues in pain research.
Neuroanatomical structures involved in pain perception. Anomalies of pain eg phantom limb. Inflammatory and sympathetic enhancement of pain. Pharmacological management of pain: analgesic drugs, opiates, NSAID's, antidepressants. TENS, acupuncture, counterirritation technuqies, massage and reflexology in the management of pain. Endoogenous pain control: endorphins, enkephalins, descending inhibitory control.
Psychological approaches to pain management; relaxation training; cognitive approaches; cognitive-behavioural approaches; multi-disciplinary team care.
Drugs and Behaviour
Psychoactive substances: CNS depressants, stimulants and hallucinogenics and their effects on levels of awareness and general physiology. Psychological and biological theories of dependence and tolerance.
Introducing CNS neurotransmitters: dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, GABA, acetylcholine and the drugs which mimic or antagonise their actions eg antidepressants, antipsychotics and tranquillisers.
The use of psychopharmacology in the investigation and treatment of psychological and neurological disorders: depression, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Parkinson's, Schizophrenia and dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's disease).
The placebo effect, theories and use of placebos; placebo reactors and non-reactors. Suggested mechanisms of action: suggestibility, beliefs, control and biochemical (endorphins).
Neuropsychology
Revision of brain anatomy and functions. Localisation of function: control of speech and language; control of movement. Lateralisation of function. Physiological and psychological models of neurological illness. Motor, sensory, cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems associated with brain injury.
Teaching and learning methods:
Lecture, practical work, observations, workshops and discussions.
Practical work will include monitoring individual differences in physiological and psychological responses to stimulation; electrophysiological monitoring of eye movements and arousal; pain and TENS; identifying individual sources of stress, relaxation training, comparison of stress management techniques, using physiological parameters to monitor outcome of stress management methods.
Reading Strategy
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
Indicative sources:
Most recent editions of:-
Andreassi, J.L. (2007), Psychophysiology: Human Behaviour and Physiological Response (5th Edn). Hillsdale: Lawrence ErIbaum
Carlson, N.R. (2007) Foundations of Physiological Psychology (9th Edn). Boston: Allyn and Bacon; A Pearson Education Company
Condiut E. (1995) The Body Under Stress. Hove: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Kalat, J.W. (2007) Biological Psychology (9th Edn). Belmont CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning
Melzack, R. and Wall ,P.D. (1990) Textbook of Pain. Edinburgh: Churchill-Livingstone
Martin, G.N. (2006) Human Neuropsychology (2nd Edn). Hemel Hempstead: Prentice Hall Europe
Pinel, J.P.J. (2006) Biopsychology (6th Edn). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Sarafino, E.P. (2006) Health Psychology: biopsychosocial interactions (5th Edn). Chichester: J Wiley
Stahl, M. S. (2000) Essential Psychopharmacology: neuroscientific basis and practical applications (2nd Edn). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Stern, R.M., Ray, W.J. and Quigley, K.S. (2001) Psychophysiological Recording. New York: Oxford University Press.
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A Element weighting
EX2 |
Examination (2 Hours) |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
PR1 |
Computer marked assignment |
5 |
PR2 |
Computer marked assignment |
5 |
PR3 |
Computer marked assignment |
5 |
WR1 |
Practical Report |
35 |
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) No
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
EX2 |
Examination (2 Hours) |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
WR1 |
Practical Report |
7 |
WR2 |
literature review |
3 |
|
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. Yes
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)