Health Psychology overview and key studies

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.

Key studies for Health Psychology.

• Savage, R and Armstrong, D (1990), Effect of a general practitioner's consulting style on patients' satisfaction: a.
• controlled study. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 301(6758): 968-70.
• Yokley, J M and Glenwick, D S (1984), Increasing the immunization of preschool children; an evaluation of.
• applied community interventions. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 17(3): 313-25.

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

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

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

For each key study, candidates should know, understand and evaluate.

• the context of the study and relationship to other studies.
• the main theories/explanations included in the study.
• the aim(s) and hypotheses of the study [if stated].
• the design of the study, including all methodology as appropriate, such as the research method(s) used, sample size and demographics [if known] and sampling technique [if known], procedure, technique for data collection.

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

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

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