Description
This subject introduces students to community psychology and health psychology and reviews the major theories and empirical evidence as they relate to practice in these areas. Community psychology focuses on the prevention of problems by targeting whole sections of the community on issues such as behavioural problems in schools, substance abuse, ageing, unemployment, and individuals with disability. Health psychology recognises the importance of psychological well-being to physical health, and focuses at the preventative, secondary and tertiary levels of intervention with both individuals and groups. This subject emphasises the scientist-practitioner approach.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this subject students will be able to (1) demonstrate understanding of major concepts and historical trends in health psychology, and knowledge of the theoretical and empirical based underpinning evidence based approaches to psychological intervention, (2) describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists, (3) respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical enquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behaviour and mental processes, (4) explain how the science and practice of health psychology is influenced by social, historical, professional and cultural contexts, and act ethically, (5) communicate effectively in a variety of formats and in a variety of contexts, and (6) understand and apply psychological principles to social and personal issues.
Prerequisites
Only available if admitted into a Postgraduate Psychology accredited program