What it is about
You will learn about different approaches to behavior change in health and critically evaluate them. In the summer term you will weekly analyze theoretical foundations and empirical studies on methods such as nudges, financial incentives, health communication, apps/tracking, and habit formation. In the winter term you will independently develop a realistic study protocol for a behavioral intervention.
What you will be able to do
- Describe various behavioral models and approaches to health behavior change
- Critically assess the credibility of empirical studies in behavioral research
- Formulate hypotheses why a health-relevant behavior does not occur
- Derive theories of behavior change for intervention development
- Develop study designs including power calculation, behavioral measurement, and analysis plan
What the module consists of
- VorlesungProvision of theoretical foundations and overview of weekly approaches
- Übung/TutorialCritical reading, presentation and discussion of empirical studies; application of lecture content
- ProjektarbeitDevelopment of a detailed intervention protocol in the winter term
Teaching method
- VorlesungenIntroduction to central theory approaches and findings
- Übungen/TutorialsDeepening through critical reading, presentation and discussion of studies
- Projektarbeit im SelbststudiumPractical application: Create an intervention description, protocol and analysis plan