MPO 605 Health Psychology
This course covers fundamental principles of health psychology/behavioral medicine and implications for research and practice. Students will examine the role of physiological, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social factors as they relate to health. Classes will cover three broad areas: 1) Models and Mechanisms: Specific disorders with an emphasis on biopsychosocial processes in health and disease. There will be a particular emphasis on the relations between biological factors and their relations to psychosocial factors; 2) Theory and Conceptualization: Discussions and exercises utilizing theory/models to understand a variety of topics addressed within health psychology; 3) Intervention: Application of models, mechanisms, and clinical evidence to methods of prevention and management. By the end of the course attendees will be able to: 1) Describe the biological, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social/environmental factors that contribute to health behaviors and disease; 2) Understand classic and current theory and research relating to problems commonly studied in health psychology/behavioral medicine; 3) Integrate theory, research, and practice within the context of health psychology/behavioral medicine; 4) Describe evidenced-based practices in for addressing concerns targeted in health psychology/behavioral medicine research and practice.