To what extent do cognitive factors influence health-related behaviour (stress, substance abuse, addictive behaviour, overeating and/or obesity)?

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “to what extent” requires candidates to consider the merits or otherwise of the influence of cognitive factors on health-related behaviour.

It is appropriate and useful for candidates to address sociocultural and/or biological factors in order to respond to the command term “to what extent”.

Candidates may approach health-related behaviour as a whole or use specific examples of health-related behaviour. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

Responses may include, but are not limited to:

• social self-preservation theory
• cognitive restraint theory
• the use of cognitive-behavioural therapy
• the health belief model
• cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1956)
• self-perception theory (Bem, 1967).

Studies that relate to cognitive factors may include, but are not limited to:

• Kamen and Seligman (1987) who suggest that attributional style might predict health levels later in life
• Greer’s (1979) study connecting beliefs and physiology.

Factors that are identified should be directly related to health-related behaviour. If a candidate only addresses cognitive factors in general, without linking them to health-related behaviour, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [3] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [3] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.

Candidates may address a smaller number of cognitive factors in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge or may address a larger number of cognitive factors in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.