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Unit of study_

HSBH1003: Health, Behaviour and Society

Why do people make the health decisions they do, even though they sometimes seem like the wrong ones? How do social and psychological factors affect people’s health outcomes? This unit introduces you to key areas of psychology and sociology relevant to health and wellbeing that will be important tools for understanding and practicing in health and wellbeing, by helping you to understand the lives of those people you will help through your work. The unit aims to develop a 'sociological imagination', which is a quality of mind that will be used to prompt you to question common­sense assumptions regarding health and wellbeing. You will also gain familiarity with some key areas of contemporary psychology.

Code HSBH1003
Academic unit Health Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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BACH1130 or BACH1132 or BACH1133 or BACH1134 or BACH1161 or BACH1165

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand how society impacts on an individual’s health and health care.
  • LO2. Understand what psychology is, and its relevance to the health professions.
  • LO3. Understand the key ‘social determinants’ of health.
  • LO4. Develop an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues.
  • LO5. Be familiar with some examples of research into society and health.
  • LO6. Develop an understanding of the health needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  • LO7. Develop an understanding of global health and inequality.
  • LO8. Communicate your knowledge of the impact of society on health and illness in written form and through in-class discussions with peers.
  • LO9. Understand the basic cognitive processes underpinning memory, thought and decision making.
  • LO10. Understand the links between psychological factors and physical and mental health.
  • LO11. Understand how behaviour and health factors interact and influence each other.
  • LO12. Understand the contribution of biological factors including the role of the brain, genes and hormones in behaviour.
  • LO13. Understand how behaviour is modified through learning.
  • LO14. Understand the psychological aspects of social interactions, and the behaviour of groups and organisations from a psychological viewpoint.
  • LO15. Understand the key clinical features of some common psychological disorders.
  • LO16. Understand how behaviour and thinking changes over the lifespan.
  • LO17. Communicate your knowledge of psychology and health issues in oral are well as written form.
  • LO18. Demonstrate organisational, writing, and communication skills needed in the preparation and delivery of a group oral presentation.
  • LO19. Increasing interdisciplinary learning knowledge
  • LO20. Understanding academic honesty