PSY 252 - Stress & Health Psychology

3 Credit(s)

This course provides a comprehensive investigation of stress and health psychology, examining the complex interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors in health and illness. This course introduces the structures and processes of the mind and the nervous system, including the psychobiology of eating, sleeping, emotion, stress, and learning. Students will use this neuroscientific and psychological foundation to understand the mind-body relationship and its influence on health promotion, disease prevention, and adaptation to illness. Core topics include the biopsychosocial model, the neuroscience of stress, psychoneuroimmunology, pain management, coping, health-enhancing behaviors, and the psychological aspects of managing chronic illness. The course emphasizes a hands-on study of the field, requiring students to apply psychological research methods to investigate a current topic in health psychology.

Prereqs: PSY 101 OR PHE 220
Course Type: Lecture
Tuition Tier: Base
Delivery Method:
In-Person
Course Learning Outcomes:
CLO 1) Students will explain the major theoretical frameworks of health psychology, primarily the biopsychosocial model, and explain its biological, psychological and social components.

CLO 2) Students will analyze the neurobiological and psychobiological influences on key health processes, including stress, emotion, eating, sleep, and pain.

CLO 3) Students will apply key psychological theories of health behavior (e.g. Health Belief Model, Transtheoretical Model) to analyze methods of changing to personal health habits.

CLO 4) Students will evaluate the role of sociocultural factors and the Socio-Ecological Model in understanding health behaviors and health disparities.

CLO 5) Students will critically evaluate psychological research in the field.

CLO 6) Students will communicate complex ideas in health psychology effectively in both written and (if applicable) oral formats, adhering to current APA formatting.