PSY 415 - Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology

Description:
The application of psychology to the understanding of illness and to its prevention and treatment with special emphasis on current health topics (e.g., stress, HIV/AIDS). PSY 415 and PSY 515 are layered courses; students may not receive credit for both. Formerly, PSY 455; students may not receive credit for both.

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: PSY 101.

Credits: (4)

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Identify major psychological, social, and cultural influences on the development of health-related behaviors and attitudes
Describe major psychological theories concerning health-promoting behavior
Describe major psychological approaches to modifying health-related attitudes and behaviors
Identify common obstacles to, and facilitators, of treatment adherence
Describe the application of two or more psychological theories to the development of education, prevention, and intervention programs addressing current health topics (e.g., addictions, stress, eating disorders, HIV/AIDS)
Identify procedures for evaluating behavioral medicine interventions and health promotion programs
Demonstrate the ability to reflect upon the application of psychological theory and research to their own health behaviors and attitudes
Design a prevention or intervention program targeted at increasing health-promoting behaviors or decreasing health-compromising behaviors
Articulate the roles and contributions of behavioral specialists (e.g., mental health counselors, psychologists) in the primary health care setting

Learner Outcomes Approval Date:
4/3/2014

Anticipated Course Offering Terms and Locations: