PSYC 208 - Health Psychology

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the major topics in the current field of Health Psychology. Emphasis will be placed on the biopsychosocial factors involved in health-enhancing and health-compromising behaviors.

Prerequisite PSYC-201

A. Describe the basic premises underlying health psychology as a subdivision of modern psychology.

B. Identify health-promoting and health-compromising behaviors.

C. Examine the recovery, rehabilitation, and psychosocial adjustment of individuals

with health issues.

D. Analyze the rise of the biopsychosocial model in health psychology.

E. Research traditional, complementary, and alternative healthcare services.

Content
A. Health psychology and the biopsychosocial model

B. The systems of the body

C. Health behavior

D. Health-promoting behaviors

E. Health-compromising behaviors

F. Management of chronic and terminal disorders

G. Seeking and using health care services

Student Evaluation
Evaluation will be based upon written reports, assigned projects, and exams.

Bibliography
Buettner, Dan. The Blue Zones. Washington DC: National Geographic, 2008. Print.

Covey, Stephen R. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Free Press, 2004. Print.

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper Collins, 2008. Print.

Frankl, Viktor E. Man’s Search for Meaning. New York: Touchstone, 2006. Print.

Fuhrman, Joel. Eat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss. New York: Little, 2011. Print.

Glasser, William. Positive Addiction. New York: Harper & Row, 1985. Print.

Kardaras, Nicholas. How Plato and Pythagoras Can Save Your Life: The Ancient Greek Prescription for Health and Happiness. San Francisco: Conari, 2011. Print.

Langer, Ellen J. Counter Clockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility. New York: Random House, 2009. Print.

Langer, Ellen J. Mindfulness. Cambridge, MA: Merloyd Lawrence, 1989. Print.

Otto, Michael W., and Jasper A. J. Smits. Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-being. New York: Oxford UP, 2011. Print.

Selye, Hans. The Stress of Life. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1976. Print.

Snowdon, David. Aging with Grace. New York: Bantam, 2002. Print.