PSY 171 — Health Psychology
This course provides an introduction to the contributions of psychology to the understanding of causes of physical illness, prevention and treatment of physical illness, doctor-patient relationships, and health care policy. Inquiry will include the clinical, social, personality, cognitive, developmental, and physiological psychology; public health; and the medical, sociological, and health outcomes of health policy research. The course intends to help the student become aware of the wide-range of psychological considerations that arise in health, the benefits of complementing traditional medical approaches with psychological perspectives and an understanding of stress management in the prevention of illness and disease. Although the course is primarily directed to students of psychology, it has relevance for students and professionals in several areas, including health care, nursing, social work, counseling, and education.