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2.9: Health Psychology

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    Health psychology focuses on how health is affected by the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. This particular approach is known as the biopsychosocial model (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)). Health psychologists are interested in helping individuals achieve better health through public policy, education, intervention, and research. Health psychologists might conduct research that explores the relationship between one’s genetic makeup, patterns of behavior, relation- ships, psychological stress, and health. They may research effective ways to motivate people to address patterns of behavior that contribute to poorer health (MacDonald, 2013).

    Behaviorism_1.gif
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): The biopsychosocial model suggests that health/ illness is determined by an interaction of these three factors. [“Biopsychosocial Model of Health” by Judy Schmitt is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.]

    This page titled 2.9: Health Psychology is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kate Votaw.

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