Enrolments for 2020 have closed.
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Psychology, Health and Wellbeing
Undergraduate | MAQ-PSYX2224 | 2020
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 18 weeks
FEE-HELP available
Psychology, Health and Wellbeing
About this subject
At the completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Delineate between the biological/medical approaches to health and the biopsychosocial approaches.
- Explain the type of empirical research that underpins our understanding of health status as well as commonly used research modalities and research challenges in health settings
- Identify and explain the major theories and types of empirical research that attempt to explain health related behaviour.
- Identify the function and interrelation of the body's systems in determining health status, with an in depth examination of pain processes.
- Explain the role of cognitive, affective, cultural and demographic factors as determinants of health status.
- Describe aspects of health communications that are determinants of health status.
- Explain stress and coping in relation to chronic illness.
- Identify common approaches to modifying health beliefs and behaviours, and enhancing coping in the illness context through intervention.
- Describe the overarching role of culture as a determinant of health and health-related behaviours.
- Describe the key positive psychology approaches that contribute to wellbeing.
- Unit Introduction and History of Health Psychology
- Models of Health Behaviour
- Representations of Health in the Media
- Keeping the healthy healthy: prevention
- Health Enhancing Behaviours
- Culture, health, and indigenous issues
- Psycho-Oncology
- Stress and Coping
- Coping with Chronic Illness
- Pain
- Putting it into context
- Positive Psychology and Health
- Future perspectives
Our health status is a reflection of a fascinating mix of physiological factors with our psychological and social environments. The overall objective of this unit is to provide a critical overview of both the psychological and social aspects of human health and well-being. In the first part of this unit we provide some foundations or building blocks for understanding the role of psychology in the health context by reviewing the most important approaches to health psychology as well as approaches to prevention of disease. We then explore a variety of psychosocial factors and specific mechanisms that have been found to impact our health status, both from the individual perspective and the wider environment and cultural context.
- Essay - 1500 word written essay (40%)
- Online Multiple Choice Quizzes (20%)
- Invigilated Exam (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
- MAQ-PSYX1104-Introduction to Psychology I
- MAQ-PSYX1105-Introduction to Psychology II
MAQ-PSYX104-Introduction to Psychology I (no longer available)
MAQ-PSYX105-Introduction to Psychology II (no longer available)
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.