A3- Theories- the health belief model

Question 1

who created this model =

Answer 1

Irwin Rosenstock (1966)

Question 2

what is it ?

Answer 2

It is a psychological theory that tries to explain why people do or do not engage in behaviour

Rosenstock related the behaviour to the person’s beliefs.

Question 3

the essence of the model can be summarized by asking 3 questions in context of an activity or illness

what are they ?

Answer 3

1.How serious are the consequences
(perceived seriousness)

2. How likely am I to get the disease or illness (perceived susceptibility)
3. What are the advantages versus disadvantages of taking this action
   (cost benefit analysis)

Question 4

What does perceived seriousness mean=

Answer 4

whether a person changes their behaviour or not depends on how severe they think the consequences will be if they don’t change.

Question 5

example of perceived seriousness=

Answer 5

condoms help protect against chlamydia.

Some people might think this is not serious enough to start using condoms regularly.

On the other hand, contracting HIV is a more severe outcome, so condom use is more likely if the person perceives this as a likely consequence.

Question 6

What does perceived susceptibility mean=

Answer 6

whether a person changes their behaviour or not depends on whether they believe that they are personally and realistically vulnerable to the illness or disease.

Question 7

example=

Answer 7

if the person considers themselves exclusively heterosexual and believes HIV is a “gay disease” they will probably not perceive themselves as susceptible.

Question 8

what does cost-benefit analysis mean ?

Answer 8

the person must believe that the action or change in behaviour will bring them benefits.

But they will also consider the perceived barriers (is it inconvenient? Ext.)

Question 9

example of cost-benefit analysis=

Answer 9

the main benefit of a condom is that it is an effective way of protecting against STD.

However, a perceived barrier may be the belief it reduces pleasure or the suggestion of lack of trust in the relationship.

Question 10

what are the modifying factors ?

Answer 10

1.demographic variables
2.internal/external cues

Question 11

demographic variables=

Answer 11

characteristics such as age, gender, culture…this helps to explain how it is that two people who experience the same health related challenges differ in their perception of seriousness, susceptibility, benefits and barriers.

Question 12

internal/external cues-

Answer 12

information presented to an individual may predispose them “readiness to act” and affect their perceived seriousness/susceptibility.

.example= walking up the stairs and getting out of breath may act as an internal cue triggering you to want to lose weight.

Example= a health brocher about weight loss may act as an external cue triggering you to want to lose weight.

Question 13

self efficacy=

Answer 13

a person’s belief in their own competence.

This was a later edition to HBM, referring to the persons belief that they are capable of making a behavioral change.

Question 14

strength=

Answer 14

Strength= the HBM is used practically (practical applications)

Example= Williamson and Wardle (2002) used the HBM to increase the number of people coming for screenings of bowel and colon cancers.

Conclusion= This suggests the model is a valid explanation of how people can shift behaviour in a healthier direction.

Question 15

weakness=

Answer 15

Weakness= not every health researcher likes and uses this model

Example= Zimmerman and Verberg (1994) argue that by adding self-efficacy and demographics, the model becomes a totally different model

Conclusion= Thus the HBM is not necessarily one single model and attempts to explain to much