ASSUMPTIONS IN HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Research into health beliefs highlights some of the assumptions in health psychology:
1 Human beings as rational information processors. Many models of health beliefs
assume that behaviour is a consequence of a series of rational stages that can be
measured. For example, it is assumed that the individual weighs up the pros and cons
of a behaviour, assesses the seriousness of a potentially dangerous illness and then
decides how to act. This may not be the case for all behaviours. Even though some of
the social cognition models include past behaviour (as a measure of habit), they still
assume some degree of rationality.
2 Cognitions as separate from each other. The different models compartmentalize
different cognitions (perceptions of severity, susceptibility, outcome expectancy,
intentions) as if they are discrete and separate entities. However, this separation may
only be an artefact of asking questions relating to these different cognitions. For
example, an individual may not perceive susceptibility (e.g. ‘I am at risk from HIV’) as
separate to self-efficacy (e.g. ‘I am confident that I can control my sexual behaviour
and avoid HIV’) until they are asked specific questions about these factors.
3 Cognitions as separate from methodology. In the same way that models assume
that cognitions are separate from each other they also assume they exist independent
of methodology. However, interview and questionnaire questions may actually create
these cognitions.? QUESTIONS
1 Recent changes in mortality rates can be explained in terms of behaviour related
illnesses. Discuss.
2 Discuss the contribution of attribution theory to understanding health
behaviours.
3 Health beliefs predict health behaviours. Discuss with reference to two
models.
4 Discuss the role of the social world in understanding health behaviours.
5 Human beings are rational information processors. Discuss.
6 Discuss the argument that changing an individual’s beliefs would improve their
health.
7 Discuss some of the problems with the structured models of health beliefs.
8 Design a research project to promote non-smoking in a group of smokers using
two models of health beliefs.FOR DISCUSSION
Consider a recent change in your health-related behaviours (e.g. stopped/started
smoking, changed diet, aimed to get more sleep, etc.). Discuss your health beliefs
that relate to this change.44 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY