Major Concepts and Behavioral Objectives

CONCEPT I: Life-Style and Health

As opposed to the biomedical model which views sickness as the result of a biological malfunction, the biopsychosocial model holds that social, psychological, and biological factors interact to affect our health. This view argues that we can influence our health by adopting healthy activities and beliefs.

1. Distinguish between the biomedical model and the biopsychosocial model as they relate to health.

2. Describe how health psychology programs can influence the development and progress of illness and wellness.

CONCEPT II: Stress

Several theories have been advanced to explain how stress is related to health. Stress is linked to the activity of the immune system and many factors can influence how much stress an individual experiences.

3. Discuss the early theoretical work explaining how stress is linked to health.

4. Describe the relationship between stress and the activity of the immune system.

5. Describe how stress can be measured and suggest what kinds of situations produce stress.

6. Comment on the stress reactions that are associated with having an abortion.

7. Identify and describe the personality characteristics which seem to be linked to stress responses, and suggest how these characteristics relate to a general model of stress.

CONCEPT III: Coping with Stress

There are many ways in which people cope with the stress in their lives; some methods are effective and others are not.

8. Describe and give examples of the two general patterns of coping with stress.

9. Describe and give examples of specific coping strategies, and suggest which are most effective.

10. Define catharsis and evaluate its usefulness as a stress-reducing technique.

11. Describe the various kinds of social support and evaluate the effectiveness of each.

12. Describe and evaluate the stress management techniques involved in cognitive-behavioral therapies, biofeedback, relaxation training, and exercise.