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How do psychologists conduct research? This course provides a foundation for understanding major methods of design, assessment, and analysis used in psychological research, with a focus on the field of health psychology. Study designs will include descriptive, experimental, quasi-experimental, and correlational. Methods of assessment will include self-report, behavioral observation, and content coding. Students will also learn basic methods of quantitative (using SPSS) and qualitative data analysis. Completion of PSY 190 prior to enrollment is recommended. 4 credits.
Health psychology is a burgeoning field that examines the relationship between psychosocial factors and health. This course provides a broad overview using the basic concepts, theories, methods, and applications of health psychology. We will critically examine state-of-the-art research and current gaps in knowledge to explore topics including: definitions of health and illness; stress and coping; health behaviors; how the mind influences specific physical health conditions and vice versa; patient-practitioner relations; and health promotion. Emphasis will be placed on the ways psychological factors interact with the social, cultural, economic, and environmental contexts of health. Students will gain competency in this field through lectures, discussions, written work, and oral presentations. Prerequisite: PSY 192 or equivalent. 4 credits.
In the United States and worldwide, disparities in chronic physical health outcomes (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and asthma) are growing as a function of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, and other social categories. To understand these and related issues, in this course we will examine the social distribution of health and illness. We will focus on how environments—social, cultural, and physical—shape psychological factors which in turn influence physical health. Emphasis will be placed on critically evaluating primary sources, drawing from empirical studies in medicine, public health, nursing, and behavioral medicine, as well as psychology. Prerequisite: PSY 192 or equivalent; or PSY 221, 224, or 225; or permission of instructor. 4 credits.
First we will discuss several major philosophies of the mind-body relationship across allopathic and complementary/alternative medicine perspectives. Then we will examine the state of empirical support for accompanying methods of healing physical health problems across these perspectives, focusing on the role of psychological processes. Emphasis will be placed on critically evaluating current research and designing appropriate future studies. Recurrent psychological process themes will be highlighted, e.g., the placebo effect, emotion, and the social context of healing. Prerequisites: PSY 192; PSY 225 is recommended.
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