Health psychology is an increasingly popular and important sub-field in psychology that examines the interplay between psychological processes and physical health. This paper provides an introduction to health psychology, covering both social and biologically oriented topics, such as stress and coping, the role of emotions and personality in susceptibility to illness, health and wellness interventions, and the role of psychology in behavioural change. By bridging the social with the biological, this paper will appeal to a wide range of students - from those who are mainly interested the social side of psychology, to those interested in the biological side of psychology.
About this paper
| Paper title | Health Psychology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,243.65 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 210, PSYC 211 and PSYC 212
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- (i) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 211. (ii) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.
- Eligibility
With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least B in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 211.
With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least B in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
Paper topics will include:
- Biopsychosocial models of health, including Te Whare Tapa Wha
- Stress and coping
- Links between personality, emotions, and health
- Social and contextual factors in health, international and Aotearoa New Zealand perspectives
- The connection between mental health and physical health
- Psychological processes in chronic health conditions
- The psychology of placebos
- Psychological influences on pain
- Introduction to psychoneuroimmunology
- Promotion of wellness and prevention of disease
- Health psychology interventions
- Research methods in health psychology
- Career options in health psychology
- Teaching Arrangements
One 3-hour lecture per week.
Lectures will be podcasted (audio and slides) through Otago Capture.
Teaching method: On campus.
- Textbooks
Sapolsky, R.M. (2004). Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers (3rd ed.) New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
Required reading articles will be made available on eReserve.- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Understand the scope of health psychology as a sub-field in psychology
- Understand the evidence, main ideas, and cross-cutting themes in health psychology
- Produce well-written, scientific summaries of research in health psychology
- Read and critically evaluate research in health psychology
- Assessment details
- Reading critique (20%). You will be required to write a 2-page reading critique of an assigned article and demonstrate understanding of the main ideas and develop novel insights.
- Test (30%). There will be a mid-term test based on the material from the first half of the semester. This will likely consist of multiple choice and short essay style questions.
- Final exam (50%). There will be a final exam that will likely consist of multiple-choice and short-essay style questions. The final exam will include some questions about the material from the first half of the semester, but will prioritise material from the second half of the semester.
There are no terms for the paper.