Topic 1: intro to psych

Question 1

Define psychology

Answer 1

Field of study where aim is collecting knowledge about behaviour + emotion + motives + all associated areas

Question 2

Define normal

Answer 2

What majority considers right

Question 3

Define abnormal

Answer 3

Deviating from norm = behavior not accepted/done by majority

Question 4

Define behavior

Answer 4

Complex patterns of responses to external/internal stimulation

Question 5

Explain behavior

Answer 5

• Mapped on the brain + controlled by CNS
• Influenced by previous learning + attention + memory
• Affected by environmental + social norms
• Influenced by upbringing
• Modified by personality

Question 6

What are the 7 Branches of psychology

Answer 6

• Biological + physiological
• Cognitive
• Social
• Developmental
• Theories of personality
• Neuropsychology
• Comparative

Question 7

What are the 3 Applied areas of psychology

Answer 7

1) Clinical
- Clinical health
- Clinical forensic
- Clinical Neuropsychology
2) Educational
3) Occupational

Question 8

What are the 6 types of psychotherapy?

Answer 8

1) Psychodynamoc
2) CBT
3) Systemic therapy
4) Humanistic
5) Personal Construct Psychotherapy
6) Rogerian Therapy

Question 9

Why is psychology important in medicine?

Answer 9

1) Common sense:
- Tests common-sense views empirically
- Goes beyond common sense
- People don’t always act according to common sense.
2) Can’t see how it’s useful:
- Diagnosis = Influences health-seeking behaviors, symptom perception, and reporting
- Treatment = Helps in negotiating treatment plans, improving adherence, understanding beliefs and emotions
3) Not real medicine:
- Bio-psychosocial model in medical practice

Question 10

Explain the historical + cultural origins in Human pre-history

Answer 10

• Belief: Mind and body intertwined, disease caused by evil spirits
• Treatment: Exorcism of spirits

Question 11

Explain the historical + cultural origins in ancient greeks

Answer 11

• Belief: Disease caused by imbalance of four bodily fluids (blood, black bile, yellow bile, phlegm)
• Treatment: Restore balance; recognized psychological effects on health

Question 12

Explain the historical + cultural origins in middle ages

Answer 12

• Belief: Disease as punishment for sin; cure through torture to expel evil forces
• Treatment: Penance via prayer and good works; medical knowledge controlled by the Church

Question 13

Explain the historical + cultural origins in Renaissance

Answer 13

• Advances: Microscope invention (1600s), autopsy, and cellular pathology
• Focus: Organic and cellular pathology for diagnosis

Question 14

Define the biomedical approach

Answer 14

• Disease can be explained by physiological processes = treatment acts on disease not person
• Linear progression from pathogen -> person NOT from person -> disease
• Psychological + social process
• Doesn’t consider person as whole = psychological + social processes separate

Question 15

Describe the criticizm of biomedical approach

Answer 15

Doesn’t consider social + psychological factors in health

Question 16

Define the biopsychosocial model

Answer 16

• Proposed by Engel
• Includes effects of biological + psychological + social factors
• Personal + external factors have impact on health

Question 17

Explain internal factors

Answer 17

1) Personal history:
- Ethnicity
- Genetics
- Previous illnesses
- Learnt behavior
= Influence psychosocial processes = lifestyle + personality + behavior + perception of symptoms

Question 18

What is behavioral medicine?

Answer 18

Study of factors that influence how we:
- Maintain our health
- Prevent illness
- Manage illness

Question 19

Define dual pathway model

Answer 19

2 broad ways in which psychological processes may influence physical health
1) Psychological processes -> physical health
2) Psychological processes -> behavior ->
physical health

Question 20

Give examples of illnesses related to psychological/behavioral factors

Answer 20

• CVD
• Cancer
• HIV
• COPD
• Diabetes
• Chronic pain