UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Module Specification
Psychology for Health and Social Care (KI320)
Level C (FHEQ Level: 4)
Description
This module will interweave concepts from social psychology, lifespan development,
symbolic interactionism, deviance theory, anthropology and socialisation,
concentrating on changing roles throughout the lifespan. The intention of the module
is to develop an understanding of those who use health and social care services
through application of psychological concepts. An understanding of those who use
health and social care services enhances and maintains the social functioning
(valued roles) of individuals within social contexts. Therefore, it is important to
understand the nature of social functioning and how valued roles are determined.
Learning outcomes
To achieve this module a learner must:
1. Explore theories of lifespan development
2. Analyse social and biological determinants of behaviour relevant to health and
social care contexts from a psychological perspective
3. Explore the application of psychological theories to selected aspects of health
and social care
4. Critically evaluate how psychological theories influence health improvement and
care strategies.
Content
Theories of lifespan development
Concepts of human development: stage v open-ended theories, continuity v
discontinuity, static v dynamic theories, idiographic v nomothetic perspectives on
personality
Theories: Freud, Erikson, Maslow, Rogers, Piaget Learning theory, Social
Interactionism; a range of others e.g. Buhler, Havinghurst, Kolberg, Gutmann,
Lowenthal, Gould, Loevinger, Berne
Lifestage: infancy, early childhood, later childhood, adolescence, adulthood, late
adulthood, final stages of life and death
Social and biological determinants
Social and biological factors: social: socialisation, family, education, culture, media,
environment, effects of discrimination, social exclusion; biological: genetics, traits,
blueprints, neuro-degenerative disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s)
Social roles: development of social roles, concept of conformity, social context of
behaviour, social group membership, relationships (to include symbiotic
interactionism), development of self concept e.g. Mead and Cooley
Context: sick-role behaviour, perception and interpretation of symptoms, use/misuse
of health and social care services, compliance with treatments, emotional adjustment
to ill health, coping strategies (e.g. service user, survivor, organisational),
institutionalisation
Application of psychological theories
Psychological stress: e.g. work-related, illness, chronic illness, bereavement, loss
Behaviour disturbance: attention deficit disorders, autistic spectrum disorders,
behaviours associated with addiction
Mental health disorders: neurosis, psychosis e.g. depression, schizophrenia, eating
disorders e.g. anorexia, bulimia
Health improvement
Behaviour change: health promotion (including various models and concepts linked
to psychological theory), coping strategies, avoidance therapy, e.g. cognitive
dissonance, denial, projection, perception), compensation for loss of identity,
advocacy, policies based on normalisation theory, aggression and abuse policies
Relationships: service user/families and friends, service user/care worker, between
care workers, service-user-service-user
Outcomes and assessment criteria
Outcomes
To achieve each outcome a learner must
demonstrate the ability to:
Explore theories of lifespan
 explain different concepts of human development
development
 compare and contrast theories of lifespan
development
 analyse how knowledge of psychological
concepts and theories are relevant to specific life
stages
Analyse social and biological  discuss social and biological factors that
determinants of behaviour
influence behaviour
relevant to health and social
 analyse the importance of social roles in the
care contexts from a
context of health and social care situations
psychological perspective
Explore the application of
 analyse the application of psychological theories
psychological theories to
to experience of stress in individuals and its
selected aspects of health
alleviation
and social care
 explore theories relating to behaviour
disturbance
 analyse how psychological theory informs
understanding of mental health disorders
Critically evaluate how
 evaluate application of psychological principles
psychological theories
to effecting behaviour change in health and
influence health
social care
improvement and care
 analyse how psychological theories can enhance
strategies.
understanding of relationships in health and
social care
Textbooks
Beckett C, Human Growth and Development, Sage, 2002, ISBN: 0761972498
Gross R and McIlveen R, Psychology, a New Introduction, Hodder and Stoughton,
2000, ISBN: 0340776897
Hayes N, Foundations of Psychology: An Introductory Text, 3rd edition, Nelson, 2000,
ISBN: 017490018X
Jarvis M and Russell J, Key Ideas in Psychology, Nelson Thornes, 2003, ISBN:
0748765646
Websites
www.mind.org.uk National Association for Mental Health
www.sane.org.uk Mental health awareness raising organisation