17th January 2022
Psychology Applied to Health
Week 1: Why is psychology important to medical science
Aims to give people intro to contemporary research in health pshcology. There are 2 strands to work
covered in module:
1. Understanding health and ill health
a. Why do people develop health conditions, what role does psychology play in
explaining these illnesses.
b. Will do lectures on specific conditions, and within this, we will be using different
models and theoretical perspectives to help su make sense of peoples health
experiences.
2. Translation from research into practical use how health psychology has influenced
treatments of illnesses and interventions,
a. The role of health psychology in the real world
b. Design behaviour change interventions – how do we do this, and how do we
evaluate said interventions. We can use groups to treat illnesses and support
behaviour change.
Module leads
Mark Tarrant and Byron Creese
Also some lectures done by : Jane Smith, Sam Van Beurden, Jenny Lloyd.
Key skills to use in the workshops:
Critical thinking, problem solving and perspective taking. These skills reflect the work of
psychologists working in health.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Interdisciplinary learning is huge in health psychology, health services research is a multidisciplinary
field of inquiry – on projects you will collate with people from a range of disciplines.
One big project in medical school is ProGroup looking at solutions based around behaviour
change for people with severe obesity. Looking at ways we can support people in making behaviour
change, but it also goes beyond just psychology – theres medical involvement, dieticians involved,
clinical psychologists, economists etc. There is also external supporting groups, who may not be
directly involved, but will support externally. The key here is that whilst you may be addressing
psychological issues, you have to consider the wider context that they occur in, which is why its
important to work with a range of domains.
, What is Health Psychology
What is psychology? In a way it is just common sense, we are all amateur psychologisits, tring to
make sense of world. We develop our own theories and explanations. But sometimes common sense
is often wrong, and this is similar in health psychology health campaigns sometimes backfire.
- Schultz et al. (!990): fear of crime may increase in neighbourhood wathc areas
- Emett et al. (1994) – D.A.R.E – young people exposed to this are no less likely to take drugs
Psychology can inform the evidence base for interventions and campaigns, and help us
understand how well intentioned campaigns fail.
Definition of psychology: Scientific study of behaviour and cognition
- Observation of behaviour
- Theorise and make predictions concerning behaviour
- Deisgn studies that can test our hypothesis
- Unlike common sense, this is a controlled and unbiased approach
Health Psychology: draws on multiple perspectives within the field of psychology depending on the
problem beign considered.
- Health psychologists draw on theories and data from across psychology and other disciplines
to understand illnesses, interventions and hwo things happen/work
A Biomedical model of health
Helath psychology is at odds with the traditional views portrayed by biomed model. Accoring to this,
illness is caused by physical and biological things, and biomed model is about the absence of illness.
Health psychology is aligned more iwht biopsychosocial model (Engel. 1977) of health. REcognisies
the broader influences on health, and WHO recognise how widely health goes, and how important it
is (basic human right).
Example: Biopsychosical model of COVID
BIO (cough, temp). PSYCHO. (Anxiety, Loneliness.) SOCIAL (Disproportionate effects)
Then think about how to fix this:
BIO (medicine) PSYCHO (Psychological counselling)
What proportion of cancers are preventable?
38% of cases are preventable – via behaviour changes e.g: smoking, obesity. Behvaiour change can
happen bvia looking at the psychology that underpins it.
Psychology Applied to Health
Week 1: Why is psychology important to medical science
Aims to give people intro to contemporary research in health pshcology. There are 2 strands to work
covered in module:
1. Understanding health and ill health
a. Why do people develop health conditions, what role does psychology play in
explaining these illnesses.
b. Will do lectures on specific conditions, and within this, we will be using different
models and theoretical perspectives to help su make sense of peoples health
experiences.
2. Translation from research into practical use how health psychology has influenced
treatments of illnesses and interventions,
a. The role of health psychology in the real world
b. Design behaviour change interventions – how do we do this, and how do we
evaluate said interventions. We can use groups to treat illnesses and support
behaviour change.
Module leads
Mark Tarrant and Byron Creese
Also some lectures done by : Jane Smith, Sam Van Beurden, Jenny Lloyd.
Key skills to use in the workshops:
Critical thinking, problem solving and perspective taking. These skills reflect the work of
psychologists working in health.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Interdisciplinary learning is huge in health psychology, health services research is a multidisciplinary
field of inquiry – on projects you will collate with people from a range of disciplines.
One big project in medical school is ProGroup looking at solutions based around behaviour
change for people with severe obesity. Looking at ways we can support people in making behaviour
change, but it also goes beyond just psychology – theres medical involvement, dieticians involved,
clinical psychologists, economists etc. There is also external supporting groups, who may not be
directly involved, but will support externally. The key here is that whilst you may be addressing
psychological issues, you have to consider the wider context that they occur in, which is why its
important to work with a range of domains.
, What is Health Psychology
What is psychology? In a way it is just common sense, we are all amateur psychologisits, tring to
make sense of world. We develop our own theories and explanations. But sometimes common sense
is often wrong, and this is similar in health psychology health campaigns sometimes backfire.
- Schultz et al. (!990): fear of crime may increase in neighbourhood wathc areas
- Emett et al. (1994) – D.A.R.E – young people exposed to this are no less likely to take drugs
Psychology can inform the evidence base for interventions and campaigns, and help us
understand how well intentioned campaigns fail.
Definition of psychology: Scientific study of behaviour and cognition
- Observation of behaviour
- Theorise and make predictions concerning behaviour
- Deisgn studies that can test our hypothesis
- Unlike common sense, this is a controlled and unbiased approach
Health Psychology: draws on multiple perspectives within the field of psychology depending on the
problem beign considered.
- Health psychologists draw on theories and data from across psychology and other disciplines
to understand illnesses, interventions and hwo things happen/work
A Biomedical model of health
Helath psychology is at odds with the traditional views portrayed by biomed model. Accoring to this,
illness is caused by physical and biological things, and biomed model is about the absence of illness.
Health psychology is aligned more iwht biopsychosocial model (Engel. 1977) of health. REcognisies
the broader influences on health, and WHO recognise how widely health goes, and how important it
is (basic human right).
Example: Biopsychosical model of COVID
BIO (cough, temp). PSYCHO. (Anxiety, Loneliness.) SOCIAL (Disproportionate effects)
Then think about how to fix this:
BIO (medicine) PSYCHO (Psychological counselling)
What proportion of cancers are preventable?
38% of cases are preventable – via behaviour changes e.g: smoking, obesity. Behvaiour change can
happen bvia looking at the psychology that underpins it.
