PY0772 - Psychosomatic Pathways to Health and Illness

You will learn through a combination of interactive lectures delivered by experts in the field, seminar-based discussions and interactive
practical workshops. These workshops will give you the opportunity for first-hand experience of a variety of psychophysiological measurement
techniques, for example, testing using bespoke laboratory software in a suite of dedicated research cubicles and the collection of real
biological data which places theoretical learning in an applied context. Directed study will be encouraged through the provision of reading lists
including pertinent research articles that accompany the lectures, and the provision of study questions and topics to read in preparation for
subsequent sessions. Additionally inter-week tasks will be provided to help you to consolidate the lecture content and provide the basis of
group discussions the following week. The combination of interactive lectures, practical workshops, directed and independent study require
critical analysis and will help you to develop conceptual knowledge of the topic areas whilst considering their application in real world settings.

Resources will be available via the e-learning portal, including lecture slides and related supplementary materials, recommended readings
and useful psychometric instruments. Discussion boards, workshop preparation meetings and tutorials will support the planning of
workshops, and current information will be presented to help you to explore a range of potential graduate employment pathways, self-employment
and further study options.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive
understanding of the key biological
mechanisms relevant to stress-disease
pathways and how these systems interact
2. Critically evaluate key psychobiological
studies from both methodological and
theoretical perspectives and understand
their context within the discipline of Health
Psychology
3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of
the practical requirements and restrictions
pertaining to the measurement of
psychobiological mechanisms
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. Effectively convey relevant scientific
knowledge to stakeholders in a real world
setting

Formative assessment:
You will be given feedback during practical
sessions regarding the interpretation of data,
which can be usefully implemented in the
summative assessment.
Summative assessment:
The module comprises one assessment:
A 4000 word assignment written in the format of a
tendered report from a relevant client. The report
requires critical coverage of relevant literature and
the application of knowledge into realistic
recommendations in response to the client’s brief.
This assignment brings together all of your
knowledge about psychosomatic pathways and
their measurements but is written for a non-expert
audience. The style of assignment therefore
assesses your understanding of the topics in the
context of real world application
[KU1, KU2, KU3, IP1]

N/A

N/A

How do psychological factors get inside the body and cause illness?
This module will introduce you to the psychosomatic concept of health and disease and the psychobiological pathways through which
psychosocial factors can lead to states of psychological and physical ill-health.
You will be introduced to paradigms for observing and activating the psychosomatic mechanisms involved in stress, pain and sleep and will
gain practical experience of how to measure these mechanisms. You will be taught by research leaders in the field using contemporary
research findings and will have unique opportunities to experience a range of research techniques providing you with first-hand knowledge of
measurement and practical applications within the discipline. These will include sessions on laboratory and ambulatory monitoring of
psychobiological mechanisms which will increase your understanding of these mechanisms and enable critical evaluation of the effectiveness
of interventions that seek to improve physical health outcomes by altering psychosocial variables.