20809238Introduction to Health Psychology
Course Information
Description
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the field of health psychology. The course focuses on the foundations of health psychology, identification of the major systems of the body, principles of research methods, models of stress, coping, and pain, complementary models of health care, and behavioral factors in chronic illness. There is a thorough review of health behaviors and personal habits. Students are given the opportunity to achieve a deepened sense of awareness of their own personal behaviors and habits.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Identify general concepts and biopsychosocial model of health psychology
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned readings
    by contributing to class discussions
    by meeting instructor's criteria on exam
    Criteria
    you examine health psychology and its evolution
    you compare and contrast the biopsychosocial model and the biomedical model of health care
    you enter into class discussions about the biopsychosocial model of health psychology
    you offer questions or comments during class about the biopsychosocial model of health psychology
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class

  2. Identify major systems of the body
    Assessment Strategies
    by contributing to class discussions
    by completing assigned readings
    by meeting instructor's criteria on exam
    Criteria
    you explain the functions of the major body systems
    you summarize common disorders associated with each body system
    you enter into class discussions about the functions of the major body systems
    you offer questions or comments during class about the common disorders associated with each body system
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class

  3. Discuss various steps in implementing a behavior change.
    Assessment Strategies
    by contributing to class discussions
    by completing assigned readings
    by meeting instructor's criteria on exam
    Criteria
    you explain the physiology of stress, pain, and chronic illness
    you choose a behavior to change.
    you develop a behavior plan to change identified behavior.
    you update behavior change progress through journaling and other methods.
    you identify the physiological and psychological causes and consequences of acute and chronic stress, pain, and illness
    you explore the challenges in measuring stress, pain, and illness
    you summarize personality traits and copying styles
    you examine coping strategies
    you apply the biopsychosocial model to various stress
    you apply the biopsychosocial model to various pain
    you apply the biopsychosocial model to various illness

  4. Investigate health behaviors, health habits, and health promotion
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing all assigned readings and assignments
    by contributing to class discussion and participating in small groups
    by developing a plan for behavior change
    Criteria
    you investigate health behavior
    you investigate health habit
    you investigate health promotion
    you identify stages of changing health habits and behavior change
    you enter into class discussions about health behaviors, health habits, and health promotion
    you offer questions or comments during class about health behaviors, health habits, and health promotion
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class

  5. Identify factors in stress, coping, pain, and chronic illness
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned readings
    by contributing to class discussions
    by meeting instructor's criteria on exam
    Criteria
    you explain the physiology of stress, pain, and chronic illness
    you identify the physiological and psychological causes and consequences of acute and chronic stress, pain, and illness
    you explore the challenges in measuring stress, pain, and illness
    you summarize personality traits and copying styles
    you examine coping strategies
    you apply the biopsychosocial model to various stress
    you apply the biopsychosocial model to various pain
    you apply the biopsychosocial model to various illness
    you apply the biopsychosocial model to various coping strategies
    you enter into class discussions about the factors in stress, coping, pain, and chronic illness
    you offer questions or comments during class about the factors in stress, coping, pain, and chronic illness
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class

  6. Identify complementary models of health care
    Assessment Strategies
    by completing assigned readings
    by contributing to class discussions
    by meeting instructor's criteria on exam
    Criteria
    you identify various alternative and complementary methods of health care
    you differentiate between the various methods
    you identify how to evaluate effectiveness of methods
    you enter into class discussions about the complementary models of health care
    you offer questions or comments during class about the complementary models of health care
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class