PSY3131

Health psychology

(MED)

Dr Graeme Hyman and Ms Sue Burney

6 points + First semester: Caulfield, OCDL + One 1-hour lecture and one 2-hour laboratory + OCDL students must complete a minimum of 12 hours on-campus weekend school laboratory work + Pre/corequisites: PSY2011 and PSY2022 or PSY2031 + Prohibition: APY3080

Synopsis: This unit will examine the range of psychosocial factors influencing people's health behaviour, their susceptibility and reactions to illness states and responses to medical treatment. Health Psychology encompasses the application of psychological theories to the study of the maintenance and promotion of health, the prevention of illness and the dysfunction and the rehabilitation of those already disabled. This unit is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the effects of psychological variables on health and illness behaviour, the prevention of illness and adjustment to illness and dysfunction.

Assessment: Examination (2 hours): 50% + Report (2000 words): 35% + Tutorial presentation: 15%