Introduction to Health Psychology

Catalog description

Psychology is defined as the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. This course will draw upon health psychology, public health, and community psychology to emphasize how psychology contributes to overall health, as well as the cause, progression, and outcomes of physical illness. This course will highlight the many roles that psychology plays in health and illness including, the role of health behaviors and behavior change; beliefs about illness; symptom perception; help-seeking and communication with health professions; stress, pain and chronic conditions such as obesity, coronary heart disease and HIV; the role of gender on health; and health outcomes in terms of quality of life and life expectancy.