How to Revise Topic 8: Health psychology — Edexcel A-Level Psychology
Health Psychology examines the bidirectional relationship between psychological processes and physical health. It investigates the etiology of illness, the promotion of health-maintaining behaviors, and the psychological impact of chronic conditions. Key areas include the physiological and psychological mechanisms of stress, the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors, and the efficacy of clinical interventions and public health campaigns in modifying health-related outcomes. The field prioritizes the biopsychosocial model over the traditional biomedical model, emphasizing the integration of biological predispositions, psychological states, and social environments.
Examiner Tips for Topic 8: Health psychology
- Ensure you can apply inferential statistical tests (Spearman's rho) to correlational data
- Be prepared to discuss issues and debates (e.g., ethics, reductionism, nature-nurture) specifically within the context of biological psychology
- Practice evaluating the validity and reliability of brain-scanning techniques
- Ensure you can link biological theories to the specific contemporary studies listed in the specification
- Be ready to discuss the implications of biological findings for society (e.g., social control, drug therapy)
Common Mistakes in Topic 8: Health psychology
- Confusing correlation with causation in correlational research
- Failing to address the specific requirements of the practical investigation (e.g., Spearman's rho, descriptive statistics)
- Over-simplifying biological explanations (reductionism)
- Inadequate evaluation of brain-scanning techniques
- Misunderstanding the distinction between biological and psychodynamic explanations for aggression
Key Marking Points
- Structure and role of the neuron, neurotransmitters, and synaptic transmission
- Effect of recreational drugs on CNS transmission
- Brain structure and functioning (e.g., pre-frontal cortex) as an explanation for aggression
- Role of evolution and natural selection in human behaviour/aggression
- Biological explanation of aggression vs. Freud's psychodynamic explanation (id, ego, superego, unconscious, catharsis)
- Role of hormones (e.g., testosterone) in aggression