The Psychology of Exercise

you need to discuss how psychological factors influence health behaviour.

influence health behaviour.
1,500 words, +/- 10% leeway (exceeding this will incur loss of marks or failure).
This assignment has 2 main sections.
1. Health Behaviour
a. What is meant by the term health behaviour?
b. Select a specific health behaviour and discuss the evidence concerning its
harmful/enhancing impact on health:.

(I’ve chosen of “THE PSYCHOLOGY OF EXERCISE)

2. Psychological influences on health behaviour
a. How does psychology explain why people engage in your chosen health behaviour
(or not, as the case may be)? You should refer to concepts such as the Health Beliefs Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, Stress, Motivation, and
Personality.

Introduction
What do you intend to cover in the assignment?
Start with a broad aim i.e. ‘this assignment will discuss how psychological factors influence health
behaviour’. Break this down into more specific steps such as ‘the terms health behaviour will be
defined.’ Set out the steps in the order they appear in the assignment i.e. defining key terms is
followed by a discussion of a specific health behaviour which in turn leads to an outline of selected
health behaviour concepts. Towards the end of the assignment reflect on the progress made with
your own health behaviour changes set out in your wellness plan.

Health Behaviour
What does this term mean? Use definitions from your reading and what is discussed in lectures. You
should be using direct quotations. There are different ways of defining health behaviour so give
different definitions; what are the differences between these definitions? Which do you consider the
most appropriate? Why?
Identify a particular health behaviour. This could be one that positively contributes to health
(physical activity, condom use, a ‘healthy’ diet) or one that is harmful to health (alcohol or tobacco
consumption). You choose what interests you.
What health problems/benefits has this behaviour been linked to? How much of a concern is this
(give mortality and morbidity data linked to the behaviour). Is it becoming a greater problem? When
using data make sure it is from the UK and is current.
Influences on health behaviour
Be selective here and choose theories and models that link to your behaviour, i.e. if you choose an
addictive behaviour such as alcohol use you might want to focus on behavioural theory such as
operant conditioning, if it is a behaviour learned from others social learning theory would be a good
fit.

The Health beliefs model provides a good framework for understanding why a person would not
participate in health screening and the theory of planned action is a good way of understanding the
factors that affect intentional behaviour such as exercise. Stress theory may be relevant as might
concepts such as self-efficacy and locus of control. Personality and motivational theories may also be
relevant.

References:

Recommended Reading
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY: A TEXTBOOK (5TH ED) OGDEN J 2012 MCGRAW HILL
AN INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH PSYCHOLOG MORRISON, V. AND BENNETT P., 2016 PEARSON

Journals
European Journal of Personality 2009 Personality Traits and Health-Risk Behaviours in University Students Ryan, H. Y. and Sampo, P. V. 675–33696
British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 2009 9 Nutrition part 1: maintaining a healthy diet Nazarko, L. 25-28
Psychology and Health 2010 3 The development and initial validation of a new measure of lay definitions of health: The wellness beliefs scale Bishop F and Yardley L 271–33287
Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2002 3 Motivation for health behaviours: a systematic review of the nursing literature Carter, K. F. and Kulbok, P. A. 316–33330
Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 2005 5 The Effects of Perceived Stress on Reactions to Messages Designed to Increase Health Behaviors Millar, M. 425-438

http://www.healthpsychologyarena.com/
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
http://www.healthpsychology.net/
Additional resources