What Is Health Psychology? Flashcards
What is health psychology?
Health Psychology is an application of psychological knowledge which aims to investigate why people behave in an unhealthy manner and develop methods which can be used to improve health.
How is the biological approach used in health psychology?
The biological approach for example can be used to investigate the effects of drugs and develop ways of helping people give up these drugs.
How is the cognitive approach used in health psychology?
The cognitive approach can be used to explain the beliefs that people have about unhealthy behaviours and then use this knowledge in therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy to change behaviour.
How is the social approach used in health psychology?
The social approach can be used to investigate the effects of peer groups on unhealthy behaviour and again be used to promote healthier behaviour.
What approach do more health psychologists take today?
Most health psychologists nowadays take a biopsychosocial approach to health. This means that although the importance of the biological causes and treatments of ill health are recognised, psychological and social aspects of health and illness are also considered.
What increasing move has there been amongst health professionals?
There has been an increasing move amongst health professionals towards primary care: promoting behaviour that facilitates the avoidance of disease, ill health or injury.
In what ways have health psychologists attempted to promote good health?
Some psychologists have suggested that health can best be promoted by using health education campaigns and others have suggested that this is done best by direct intervention such as using therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy.
