16 Jan DQ1 Components of Health

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?