PSY 289 Spring 2018
Last updated on February 13, 2018 Elavsky 1 | P a g e
PSY 289: Health Psychology
Department of Psychology
Masaryk University
Spring 2018 (4 credits)
Class meeting &
location:
Čt 15. 3. 9:45--15:00 U33, Čt 29. 3. 9:45--15:00 U33, Čt 12. 4. 9:45--15:00 U33, Čt 26. 4. 9:45--
15:00 U33, Čt 10. 5. 9:45--15:00 U33, Čt 17. 5. 8:00--11:15 U23
Instructor: Doc. Mgr. Steriani Elavsky, Ph.D.
2.46 FSS, 606-168-831, elavsky@fss.muni.cz
Office hours: by appointment
Course Description
This course is designed as an introductory undergraduate course in the area of Health Psychology. Students
will become familiar with the Health Psychology field broadly, including current status and topics in the field,
research methods used, and applied issues in practice.
Course Objectives
1. To become familiar with the history, aims, current topics and the future of the Health Psychology field.
2. To gain an understanding of the key influences on health, ranging from macro-social and cultural issues
to individual-level factors, and how they may interact.
3. To become acquainted with current health behavior theories and models and empirically‐supported
principles of health behavior change.
4. To understand the role of health/disease-related cognitions, individual difference characteristics, and
context in the disease process.
5. To become familiar with factors associated with quality of life, sources of coping and resiliency in both
health and chronic disease.
Course Format
This course will be a mixture of lectures, student‐centered activities, and class discussion. Students will also
work in groups on selected assignments. Students are expected to complete assigned readings (prior to coming
to class), ask questions, engage in critical thinking, and are encouraged to take alternative viewpoints, present
well thought-out arguments, and generally make themselves a presence in the class.
Course Materials
Recommended Textbooks:
• Marks, D. F., Murray, M., Evans, B. & Estacio, E. V. (2011). Health Psychology: Theory, Research and
Practice Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA. ISBN-13: 978-1-84860-622-7.
• Ogden J. (2012). Health Psychology: A Textbook. 5th edition. Open University Press.
• Brannon, L., Feist, J., Updegraff, J.F. (2010). Health Psychology: An Introduction to Behavior and Health
8th Edition.
Required Readings: Required readings will be posted online on IS. It is expected that students complete all
required readings PRIOR to coming to class. A great deal of learning in this class will take place through
completion of the required readings and critical evaluation of studies presented in them. To get the most out
of this class, to do well in it and be able to take part in class discussions, keeping up with assigned readings
is essential.
Other Materials: Occasionally, additional materials and clips may be assigned. These will be made available to
you via IS.
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General Course Requirements
Student evaluation will be based on attendance and active participation in class, assignments (individual and
group), final project, and final exam. The detailed breakdown of the requirements is listed below. To do well in
the class, students should also:
1. Attend classes and take their own notes.
2. Complete readings and assignments on time (i.e., prior to the class they were assigned for).
3. Collaborate with fellow classmates and carry their own weight when doing group‐based projects.
4. If having to miss a class, students should complete assigned readings anyway and make arrangements with
a classmate to acquire the notes relevant to the missed lecture as soon as possible. The instructor is not
responsible for letting you know “the important things” you missed; make friends in class who can pass
that information on to you.
5. Be proactive and seek clarification and solutions to problems well in advance of assignments/projects
being due.
Attendance: Since most learning in class will take place through class lectures and discussions, class
attendance will be monitored. Students will be evaluated for active class participation during class activities
and discussions. Students are strongly encouraged to take their own detailed notes during class. Outlines of
lectures will be posted on IS, however, these may be incomplete and are not meant to serve as a substitute for
coming to class and taking notes. Similarly, the instructor may not cover all information contained on slides
or in readings, however, you are still responsible for reviewing those and knowing the information.
Class Discussion: Students will be split into groups and assigned selected readings to either lead class discussion
or prepare debate points. Each student will partake in these group discussions at least twice across the
semester. Discussion questions and debate points have to be turned in two days before class.
Assignments: There will be a total of 5 written assignments to be completed across the semester (each due on
one class day). Only 4 assignments will count towards the grade. The topic for each assignment will be related
to the final class project and should be helpful in completing it. Thus, the completion of each assignment will
mean an incremental step towards completing the final class project.
Final Project: For your final class project you will create a personal health diary. This will entail setting healthrelated
goals, monitoring progress towards reaching your goals and implementing evidence-based strategies
in your health goal pursuit. The purpose of this project is to give you the opportunity to get acquainted with
health behavior theories and how they can be used practical applications.
Final Exam: There will be a final exam administered online at the end of the semester. You will have one week
to complete the exam online. More details about the exam will be provided in class.
Course Evaluation Criteria & Grading Scale
The following are the physical class deliverables and associated grading criteria:
Assignment % Grade Points
Attendance & active participation 10 20
Discussion participation 10 20
Assignments 30 60
Final project 25 50
Exam 25 50
Total 100 % 200p
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Academic Integrity and Classroom Code of Conduct
You are expected to act in accordance with the Masaryk University standards for academic integrity. Academic
integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner, and includes a
commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts
include but are not limited to plagiarism, cheating on examinations, pop quizzes, or assignments, and will not
be tolerated in this class and dealt with according to standard University procedures.
Students with Disabilities and Special Needs
If you have a disability-related or other need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact the
Teiresiás Center at Masaryk University (http://www.teiresias.muni.cz/ ) for proper steps to receiving academic
adjustments.
Course Contract
The syllabus serves as a contract between the instructor and the students. Every student is responsible for
reading the entire syllabus at the beginning of the semester and complying with the terms outlined in it. The
instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus during the course. Any changes will be made in
writing.
Office Consultation
Students wishing to meet with me outside of normal class hours should make an appointment with me via
email. If you have not heard back from me within 48 hours, assume the email has not been received. Once
received, your email will be acknowledged within 48 hours and addressed in no later than 3 days.
Miscellaneous
Personal Communication Devices: As a sign of respect to your classmates and instructor, I ask that you refrain
from the use of cell phones, pagers, ipods, or any other personal communication devices during class time.
You may be asked to leave the class if using these devices. Make sure these devices are turned off prior to
entering the classroom.
Grading Scale:
Grade % Material
Correct
Points Needed Grade % Material
Correct
Points Needed
A 93 and higher 186+ C+ 77 – 79.99 154 – 159.99
A‐ 90 ‐ 92.99 180 – 185.99 C 70 – 76.99 140 ‐ 153.99
B+ 87 ‐ 89.99 174 – 179.99 D 60 – 69.99 120 – 139.99
B 83 ‐ 86.99 166 – 173.99 F 59.99 and below 119.99 and below
B‐ 80 ‐ 82.99 160 – 165.99
PSY 289 Spring 2018
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Tentative Course Outline
Week Date Topics to be Covered Assignments
*dates may change
Unit 1: Introduction to Health Psychology
Mar 15 Defining the field • Social ecological model • Macro-social influences on
health, Health disparities • Mind-body connections, Biopsychosocial
model • Methodology and research methods in health psychology
Assign 1 (Mar 22)
Mar 29
Assign 2 (Mar 29)
Unit 2: Health beliefs, behaviors, behavior change
Apr 12 Health beliefs • Addictive behaviors • Eating behavior • Exercise behavior
• Health promotion – changing health behaviors
Assign 3 (Apr 19)
Apr 26
Unit 3: Becoming Ill
May 10 Illness cognitions • Health care access and services • Stress and illness
• Pain theories • Coping and resilience
Assign 4 (May 10)
Unit 4: Being Ill
May 17 Behavior and chronic disease • HIV, cancer • Obesity • Women’s health
• Men’s health • Quality of life issues
Assign 5 (May 17)
EXAM Take any time between May
18-23
Notes. Syllabus terms, course outline, readings, and assignments are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. Any changes will
be made in writing. Please refer to IS for assigned readings and assignment/group project instructions and deadlines.