Health Psychology

Question 0

Describe and contract the biomedical and biopsychosocial models of medicine

Answer 0

Biomedical:
Not interested in psychological or social factors
Illness is a biological/physiological process
Treatment is with physical intervention (drugs, surgery)
Biopsychosocial:
Psychological and social factors are causal
Patient has responsibility for own health
Illness is treated as a whole person (patient-centred medicine)
Responsibility for treatment is shared

Question 1

Define ‘health psychology’

Answer 1

Analysis and improvement of the health care system and health policy formation
Promotion and maintenance of health
Prevention and treatment of illness
Identification of psychological factors influencing health and illness

Question 2

Describe how normal human cognitive functions can lead to stereotypical thinking

Answer 2

Organisation of knowledge in schemata:
Energy saving, overlooks individuality, prone to emphasis on negative traits, resistant to change
Schemata avoids information overload, allows for anticipation, groups related information

Question 3

Define the terms ‘stereotype’, ‘prejudice’ and ‘discrimination, and be able to give examples of these in practise

Answer 3

Stereotype - cognitive organisation of semantic knowledge in schemata
Prejudice - emotional response, attitudes, evaluative and effective, pre-judgement based on negative stereotypes
Discrimination - behavioural response, act on prejudice, behaving differently with people from different groups because of their group membership
Stereotype –> prejudice –> discrimination
E.g. age, disability, sexual orientation

Question 4

Describe the conditions under which people are more likely to rely on stereotypes

Answer 4

Time pressure
Tiredness
Information overload
Stress

Question 5

Give examples of ways to avoid reliance on stereotypes

Answer 5

Reflect

Get to know members of other groups

Question 6

Describe the major changes in cognitive capacity observed with ageing

Answer 6

Decline does not occur in all skill areas at the same time
Agar sensitive component is processing speed
Crystalline intelligence - relatively stable over time (experience, long term memory, general knowledge)
Fluid intelligence - adaptable (problem solving without previous experience, processing speed of new information, short term memory)

Question 7

Describe the relationship between personality and ageing

Answer 7

Cross sectional studies show differential distribution of personality traits are different ages
Longitudinal studies show stability of traits within an individual over time

Question 8

Identify definitions of ‘disability’ and their implications

Answer 8

A physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses or activities
A disadvantage of handicap, especially one imposed or recognised by the law

Question 9

Identify barriers for people with disabilities in accessing healthcare

Answer 9

Physical/environmental
Attitudinal/behavioural
Institutional