2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
    Nov 09, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

PSYC 260 - Health Psychology

3 CR
Health psychology is the study of how psychosocial factors relate to the promotion and maintenance of good health/wellness and with the causation, prevention, and treatment of illness. A biopsychosocial approach is applied to this understanding.

Requisites: Take PSYC 201  with at least a grade of C.
General Education Requirement: Personal and Cultural Engagement - Applied Core
Course Learning Outcomes:
  1. Examine the history of health psychology including methods of research, cultural influences, and basic physiological systems.
  2. Explain the relationship and influence of stress on physical and mental health.
  3. Identify those voluntary and involuntary behaviors that promote good health and also those that are detrimental.
  4. Examine the relationship between individuals and the health care system including recognition of the need to seek help, seeking medical assistance, and compliance. Issues of pain, chronic illnesses, and terminal illness are also considered.
  5. Develop a basic understanding of serious health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Some of the controversies and the future of health psychology are considered.