ASBHDS - Session 3

Question 1

What are health related behaviours?

Answer 1

Anything that may promote good health or lead to illness, eg smoking, exercising, eating a healthy diet

Question 2

Explain the theory of classical conditioning

Answer 2

This is the idea that behaviours can become linked to unrelated stimuli. This was demonstrated by the Pavlov’s dog experiment, where the dogs salivated when they were fed. They also salivated when they were fed alongside a bell being rung, then learned to salivate just because of the bell.

Question 3

How does classical conditioning apply to humans?

Answer 3

Many physical responses can become classically conditioned, eg anticipatory nausea in chemotherapy or fear of hospitals. Aversive techniques can be used in substance misuse to pair the behaviour with an unpleasant response

Question 4

Explain the theory of operant conditioning

Answer 4

This suggests that people act on the environment, then their behaviour is shaped by the consequences of this (reward or punishment)

Question 5

How does operant conditioning relate to humans in healthcare?

Answer 5

• unhealthy behaviours are immediately rewarding, and we are driven by short term rewards
• behaviour can be shaped through reinforcement (punishment or reward)

Question 6

Give some limitations of conditioning theories

Answer 6

• classical and operant conditioning are based on simple stimulus-response associations
• no account of cognitive processes, knowledge, beliefs, memory, attitudes, expectations etc
• no account of social context

Question 7

Explain social learning theory

Answer 7

Behaviour is goal-directed, and people are motivated to perform certain behaviours that are valued or they believe they can enact (self-efficacy). We learn which behaviours are rewarded from observing others - this is more effective if the model is high status or ‘like us’

Question 8

How does social learning theory apply to healthcare?

Answer 8

• Influence of family, peers, media figures etc can be very strong and may influence to carry out harmful behaviours
• celebrities can be used in health promotion campaigns

Question 9

What is cognitive dissonance theory?

Answer 9

The idea that people have discomfort when they hold inconsistent beliefs or actions/events do not match their beliefs. Discomfort can be reduced by changing beliefs/behaviour

Question 10

What is the health belief model?

Answer 10

A social cognition model where beliefs about the health threat (perceived susceptibility/severity) and beliefs about health-related behaviours (perceived benefits/barriers), along with a cue to action, explain a person’s engagement with health promoting behaviour

Question 11

What is the theory of planned behaviour?

Answer 11

The idea that three things form intention which leads to a certain behaviour:

• attitude towards behaviour
• subjective norm
• perceived control

Question 12

What is the ‘stages of change’ (transtheoretical) model?

Answer 12

• the way that people think about health behaviours and willingness to change their behaviours are not static
• there are 5 (or 6?) stages which people may pass through in time
• precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, relapse

Question 13

What is substance misuse?

Answer 13

The harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs

Question 14

What are stimulants?

Answer 14

A class of substances which make people feel more alert and like they have more energy and confidence. Eg. Tobacco, cocaine, amphetamine and mephedrone

Question 15

What are hallucinogens?

Answer 15

Substances described as ‘mind-altering’ because they change/impact perception, mood and senses. Eg. LSD and magic mushrooms

Question 16

What are depressants?

Answer 16

Substances which make people feel more relaxed, eg alcohol, heroin, tranquillisers and cannabis

Question 17

What is the ‘medical model’ of addiction?

Answer 17

The idea that addiction is an abnormal condition which causes discomfort, dysfunction and distress to the individual afflicted. Treatment focuses on the physical condition, and is usually pharmaceutical

Question 18

What is the disease model of addiction?

Answer 18

The idea that addiction is an illness, and loss of control is the primary symptom. It is genetic and therefore predetermined, so abstinence is the only viable treatment. This combines in-patient treatment with therapy and groups

Question 19

What is the behavioural model of addiction?

Answer 19

This suggests that addiction doesn’t exist, it’s merely a ‘mis-learnt coping mechanism’, which is a result of social, economic and familial learned experiences. Alternative coping mechanisms can be taught

Question 20

What is cognitive behavioural therapy?

Answer 20

Stems from a belief that alcohol and drugs are used by individuals to cope with anxiety and low self esteem amongst other things. Uses techniques to address these feelings which can then reduce substance abuse, eg anger management, relaxation training, drink/drug diaries

Question 21

What are the most effective alcohol interventions?

Answer 21

• brief interventions
• motivational interviewing
• acamprosate
• relapse prevention
• naltrexone