Applied Health Psychology

Course content

This course is constructed around a series of cases in which behavioral interventions are designed to improve health, prevent disease, or mitigate the effects of chronic health problems of individuals. After the instructor will give lectures on basic principles of behavioral modification, the students will be tested or their understanding of these principles by giving two exams. In order to teach how to prepare and present the cases, first the instructor will present asthma, chronic pain, bulimia and smoking cases, and then the students will present their cases. In each case, the health issue to be addressed will be considered in the context of the individual‘s overall repertoire and life circumstances. A behavioral analysis of the problem will be followed by the design of an intervention plan based on behavioral principles. Besides behavioral principles that can be used for the chosen medical disorder, students are expected to give medical, psychosocial and psychological information related to the disorder