This course will involve a number of instructional methods, such as the following:
- lectures
- laser video presentations
- audio visual materials
- small group discussions
- class discussions
- classroom exercises
- computer simulation exercises
- Introduction
- Stress Physiology
- Stress: Meaning, Impact and Sources
- Stress: Biopsychosocial Factors and Illness
- Stress and Coping
- Health-Related Behaviour and Health Promotion
- Reducing Substance Use and Abuse
- Nutrition and Weight Control
- Physical Exercise and Safety
- Behavioural Factors in Illness: Hospitalization: Setting and Impact
- Pain and Pain Management
- Chronic and Terminal Health Problems
- Health Psychology: Future directions
At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:
- Define Health Psychology.
- Explain the biopsychosocial model.
- Describe historical viewpoints on disease processes and the mind.
- Distinguish between mind-body dualism and a systems approach.
- Explain the research methods used in health psychology.
- Evaluate research ethics and responsibilities.
- Describe the structure and function of the human nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, immune system and reproductive system.
- Define human stress.
- Explain the transactional model of stress.
- Distinguish between physical stressors and cognitive stressors.
- Evaluate methods of measuring stress.
- Describe psychosocial modulators of stress.
- Explain coronary prone behaviour.
- Evaluate the relationship between behaviour and illness.
- Describe the psychopathology of stress-related diseases.
- Identify stress-related diseases and psychophysiological disorders.
- Define coping.
- Identify methods of coping.
- Evaluate self-regulation strategies, cognitive strategies and ergonomics, as applied to stress reduction.
- Describe the research focus on health and lifestyle.
- Evaluate health-related behaviour and health promotion methods.
- Identify the types of health services in medical treatment.
- Describe compliance strategies related to adhering to medical advice.
- Identify the nature and symptoms of pain.
- Describe the theories of pain.
- Evaluate behavioural and cognitive methods for treating pain.
The course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½policy and Psychology Department Policy. Evaluations will be based on course objectives. Specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
Three midterm exams (worth 15% each) 45%
Literature review paper/personal health project 30%
Final exam 25%
100%
Textbook(s) such as the following, the list to be updated periodically:
Poole, G., Matheson, D.H., & Cox, D.N., (2012) The Psychology of Health and Health Care: A Canadian Perspective (4th Cdn
Ed.). Toronto, Canada: Pearson Publishing.