PY2BCH: Behaviour Change

Module code: PY2BCH

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Daniel Lamport, email: daniel.lamport@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PY1IPR (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to introduce the principles of behaviour change. Students will learn the theories and basic principles of research methods used to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions. This module also demonstrates how to apply evidence-based frameworks to a wide range of practical problems.  

The Module Lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Jasmine Lee (jasminekarwye.lee@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe and critically evaluate key theories and models of behaviour change and understand the impact of individual differences in behavioural outcomes.
2. Understand the use of behaviour change interventions in different disciplines and applications including health, policy, digital technologies.
3. Critically assess the value of research in the development, implementation, and evaluation of behaviour change interventions.
4. Develop career-relevant competencies such as written and oral communications, and applying theories and research to problem-solving.

Module content

This module covers key theories and models of behaviour change including Michie’s Behaviour Change Wheel, social cognition models, learning theories, and implementation intentions.  

The topics will focus on the design, implementation and evaluation of behaviour change interventions using frameworks including behaviour change taxonomy and intervention mapping.   

The application of behaviour change interventions will be discussed within the context of health and clinical care; education and development; consumer behaviour, and digital technology.  

The practice and implementation of behaviour change will also be discussed within public policy and local community/government initiatives. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures (10 x 2 hours)  

Seminars (feedback/feedforward on essay and poster) (3 x 2 hours)  

Guided independent study (recommended reading provided) 

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 26 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will be provided with verbal and/or written feedback on a draft versions of their poster, and will be able to draw on this feedback in order to improve their final submission. One seminar will be dedicated to essay preparation and two seminars will be dedicated to poster preparation (both containing feedforward activities. The final seminar will also contain feedback activities). 

Reassessment

Additional costs