16 Jan 2. Evaluation of the work

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 1 Discussion

DQ1 Introduction

Please take a moment to introduce yourself. Where are you from? What are your hobbies? What are you hoping to learn from this course?

DQ2 Difficulty in Changing Health Behaviors

2a. After reviewing the assigned materials, discuss at least 3 challenges to changing negative health behaviors into positive health behaviors.

2b. Describe at least 2 personal examples of yourself, your family members or friends that demonstrate these challenges of changing unhealthy behaviors.

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 2 Discussion

DQ1 Prospect Theory

Explore an example that applies this theory to a health related decision of your choice (diet pills, exercising, drinking soda, etc.). Be sure to discuss the costs, benefits, and risks related to prospect theory present in your example.

DQ2 Bounded Rationality

2a. Discuss an example of how bounded rationality and/or bounded willpower contributed to a below average outcome in a health related situation or health related choice. What limits were present and how did they impact the decision? This can be a personal example, an example from an acquaintance, or an example from society.

2b. Once identifying recent published statistics regarding a chronic health disorder (ex. diabetes, smoking, obesity, excessive or binge drinking, etc.) or health choice (i.e. enrollment in health insurance option), discuss how bounded rationality contributes to the statistics you have identified.

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 3 Discussion

DQ1 Overconfidence and Chronic Health

Explore the overconfidence effect as it relates to chronic illness (ex. diabetes, smoking, obesity, excessive or binge drinking, etc.). Why do humans tend to overestimate knowledge, underestimate risks, and exaggerate abilities and health status?

DQ2 The Gap

Discuss one health related scenario you have observed where the overconfidence effect was present. What was the gap (what they thought they knew vs. what they actually knew)? Why are we reluctant to acknowledge the gap and challenge it?

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 4 Discussion

DQ1 Motivation, Ability, Triggers

After reviewing the background materials, discuss one personal scenario where all three elements of the Fogg Behavior Model were present, and therefore a positive health behavior occurred. What was each element and how did it contribute to the execution of the behavior?

DQ2 Stages of Change

After reviewing the background materials, apply each of the 5 stages of the Transtheoretical Model for change to 5 different health behaviors in your own life. For example, what health behavior is in the Preparation stage and why? What health behavior is in the Action stage and why?

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 5 Discussion

DQ1 Conflicting Feelings

After reviewing the assigned materials, choose one health related behavior that you personally have conflicting feelings about. Explore each side of the conflict, the side that typically ‘wins’ and how/why you justify to yourself to go with that side.

DQ2 Swaying Sides

Referring to the background materials, explore how you would apply at least 3 principles to reduce dissonance to your conflict discussed in Threaded Discussion 1 for this week. Discuss each step as it applies to reducing the dissonance within your conflict.

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 6 Discussion

DQ1 Creature of Habit?

Feel free to take the quiz provided in the background materials, or self-reflect to determine whether or not you are a creature of habit. Do you feel more comfortable with routines and habits? Or do you like spontaneity and a different routine each day? How do you think your habitual tendencies influences your health choices?

DQ2 Habits Analyzed

Discuss one health related behavior you habitually perform and the specific contextual cue and action involved. Additionally, discuss what research has concluded regarding the impact habit has on behavior change based on the assigned materials for this module.

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 7 Discussion

DQ1 A Simple Question

It sounds simple enough – we have the ability to control our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, etc. – right? Why are the majority of individuals sedentary if they know exercise is important? Why do we eat donuts if we know they are bad for us? Discuss at least two factors that challenge our self-control capacity based on the assigned background materials.

DQ2 Take a Stance

What do you personally do when your self-control is challenged? Discuss one specific health related example of this and the steps you take to resist temptation. Explain how this step or strategy relates back to the assigned background materials.

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 8 Discussion

DQ1 Components of Health Belief Model (HBM)

After reviewing the background materials, identify one personal health related behavior you would like to implement in your own life and apply the components of the Health Belief Model (HBM) to this behavior.

DQ2 Wrapping Up

After covering modules 1-8, which methods/theories would you argue are most effective in changing negative health behaviors among the general public and why?

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 4 Assignment

Case Assignment

We have discussed a variety of theories that can be applied to health related decisions. For this 5-8 page assignment, you will focus on soda consumption (i.e. Coke, Pepsi, Sprite) or junk food consumption (potato chips). You will apply at least 3 topics/theories listed below to modify or change the negative health behavior of soda or junk food consumption.

Prospect Theory Costs, benefits, risks Bounded Rationality Limitations present through limits of personal knowledge, lack of information, emotions, time constraints, etc.

Overconfidence Effect What do people think they know about this vs. facts, common misconceptions, etc. Fogg’s Behavior Model Motivations, behaviors, and triggers Transtheoretical Model Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action,

Maintenance

** Since all of these theories apply differently from person to person and depend on individual circumstances, discuss a hypothetical scenario when necessary. For instance, not everyone has the same limitations of knowledge on soda or junk food, same triggers and motivators, etc. Discuss the 3 theories in general and apply a variety of potential scenarios.

The Case Assignment for this course will be a 5-8 page essay (excluding title page and reference page). You should use a minimum of 3-4 sources (at least 2 from the Touro library) in your Case Assignment.

Writing Guidelines

Essay must be double-spaced with 1-inch margins and typed in 12-point Times New Roman. Your paper should have a title page and references page (not included in the 5-8 page total count). Essays should be proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes.

You must cite all texts used, including page numbers to avoid plagiarism.

Make sure your paper has an introduction (with purpose statement), main points in the body of the paper, and an overall conclusion section.

Build support in your paper with background material including library sources that use the terms we discussed throughout the course/program (Use at least 2 sources from the Touro library)

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 8 Assignment

Signature Assignment

The Signature Assignment will be 8-10 page (excluding cover page and references) and include a minimum of 4 sources from the Touro library.

This paper will focus on the health condition of high blood pressure.

In this scenario, this is due to a variety of behaviors, some of which include: lack of exercise, high sodium intake/frequent fast food intake, heavy alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, high stress, etc. Discuss how 4 theories or topics covered between Modules 1-8 can be applied to changing and improving this condition and changing the behaviors that are contributing to high blood pressure. Be sure to include all elements/constructs of each theory and topic. As with the Case Assignment, these theories apply differently from person to person and depend on individual circumstances, so discuss hypothetical scenarios when necessary. You do not need to apply all behaviors (lack of exercise, high sodium intake/frequent fast food intake, heavy alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, high stress, etc.) to each theory, just 4 theories to at least one behavior.

Prospect Theory

Bounded Rationality

Overconfidence Effect

Motivation for Change

Cognitive Dissonance

Habit Formation

Self-Control Capacity

Health Belief Model

MPS663 Changing Health Behaviors

Module 8 Assignment

Student Self-Reflective Essay

The purpose of the Student Self-Reflective Essay is to reflect upon what one has learned or how one has performed as compared with one’s expectations or goals.

At the end of each course, we ask students to respond to five (5) statements. In your essay please respond in sequential order to the five (5) statements below. There is no requirement for length when responding to each statement.

1. Descriptions of how you feel you improved your knowledge, skills, abilities, and yourself in this session through this course.

2. Evaluation of the work you did during the session for the class and explanations of ways you could have performed better.

3. Topics you have identified that you did not understand or were not successful in trying to implement and suggestions you may have about how to improve the course material on those topics.

4. Ways you might measure the future effects of what you have learned in this course or your future progress/improvement.

5. State whether you achieved the course outcomes (Student Learning Outcomes).