Health Psychology overview

Specialist Option 3: Health Psychology.

• Health psychologists look at the factors that influence behaviours in both health and community settings. For this option, candidates will look at psychological factors that influence health, and will also examine the management and assessment of health-related behaviours linked to stress, pain and non-adherence to medical advice. Candidates should have the opportunity to explore the different issues and debates relevant to the psychological theories and concepts and the research methods used to investigate health-related behaviour. For all topics and studies, candidates should be able to:.
• describe, evaluate and compare the psychological theories, research, approaches, explanations and treatments/therapies.
• describe and evaluate research methods and methodological concepts (for AS and A Level).
• consider how the topic area relates to psychological issues and debates (for AS and A Level).

This matters because health psychology overview determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply health psychology overview to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Health Psychology overview is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.