How does stress actually affect the immune system?

Stress triggers the HPA axis, releasing cortisol which suppresses immune cell activity (e.g., lymphocytes). The SAM pathway releases adrenaline, which can temporarily boost immune function but leads to exhaustion if prolonged. Chronic stress reduces the body's ability to fight infections and slows wound healing, as shown in studies like Kiecolt-Glaser's (1995) on medical students during exams.

What is the difference between the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour?

The HBM focuses on perceptions of threat (susceptibility, severity) and benefits/barriers to action, plus cues to action. The TPB includes attitudes, subjective norms (social pressure), and perceived behavioural control (self-efficacy). The TPB is considered more predictive because it accounts for social influences and perceived control, but both models have been applied to health behaviours like vaccination and exercise.

Can personality really affect your health?

Yes, research links Type A behaviour (especially hostility) to higher risk of coronary heart disease. Type D (distressed) personality is associated with poor health outcomes. However, personality is just one factor; it interacts with stress, coping, and social support. Hardiness (commitment, control, challenge) is a protective factor that reduces stress-related illness.

What are the best ways to cope with exam stress?

Problem-focused coping (e.g., making a revision timetable, seeking help) works well for controllable aspects. Emotion-focused coping (e.g., relaxation, mindfulness) helps manage anxiety. Social support from friends/family buffers stress. Avoid maladaptive coping like procrastination or substance use. Regular exercise and sleep also boost immune function and mood.

How do health psychologists measure stress?

Common methods include self-report scales (e.g., Perceived Stress Scale), physiological measures (cortisol from saliva, heart rate, blood pressure), and behavioural observations. Each has pros and cons: self-reports are subjective but easy; physiological measures are objective but can be affected by other factors. Researchers often use multiple methods for triangulation.

Why do people ignore health advice even when they know the risks?

According to the HBM, people may underestimate their personal risk (optimistic bias) or perceive barriers (cost, effort) as outweighing benefits. The TPB suggests that even if attitudes are positive, low perceived behavioural control (e.g., 'I can't quit smoking') or social norms (e.g., friends smoke) can prevent action. Emotional factors like fear or denial also play a role.

Topic 8: Health psychology

EDEXCEL

A-Level

Biological psychology focuses on the mechanisms within the body and how they affect human behaviour, with a specific emphasis on aggression. It explores the central nervous system, neurotransmitters, brain structure, evolution, and hormones as explanations for behaviour, while considering individual differences and developmental factors.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Health psychology explores how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health, illness, and healthcare. In the Edexcel A-Level Psychology specification, Topic 8 focuses on the biopsychosocial model, stress, and health behaviours. You'll examine how stress affects the immune system, why people engage in unhealthy behaviours like smoking or poor diet, and how interventions can promote healthier lifestyles. This topic is crucial because it bridges theory with real-world applications, from managing exam stress to understanding public health campaigns.

The content is divided into key areas: the relationship between stress and illness (including the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary pathway), individual differences in stress responses (e.g., Type A/B personality, hardiness), and health belief models (Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behaviour). You'll also evaluate research methods used in health psychology, such as correlational studies and experiments. Understanding this topic helps you critically assess health advice and appreciate the complexity of factors that keep us well or make us ill.

Health psychology fits within the broader A-Level course by linking to biological psychology (e.g., the nervous system), social psychology (e.g., social support), and individual differences (e.g., personality). It also prepares you for discussions about mental health and well-being, which are increasingly relevant in modern society. Mastery of this topic will enable you to analyse health-related issues from multiple perspectives and apply psychological principles to improve quality of life.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Biopsychosocial model: A holistic approach that considers biological (e.g., genetics, immune function), psychological (e.g., stress, coping styles), and social (e.g., support networks, socioeconomic status) factors in health and illness.
→Stress and the immune system: Chronic stress can suppress immune function via the HPA axis (releasing cortisol) and SAM pathway (releasing adrenaline), increasing vulnerability to infections and slowing wound healing.
→Health belief models: The Health Belief Model (HBM) predicts health behaviours based on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and cues to action; the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) adds attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control.
→Individual differences: Type A behaviour (competitive, time-pressured) is linked to higher cardiovascular risk, while hardiness (commitment, control, challenge) buffers against stress-related illness.
→Coping strategies: Problem-focused coping (addressing the stressor directly) vs. emotion-focused coping (managing emotional distress) – effectiveness depends on the controllability of the stressor.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

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
Correlational research methods (co-variables, scatter diagrams, cause and effect issues)
Brain-scanning techniques (CAT, PET, fMRI)

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

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
Correlational research methods (co-variables, scatter diagrams, cause and effect issues)
Brain-scanning techniques (CAT, PET, fMRI)
Twin and adoption studies
Raine et al. (1997) classic study
Contemporary studies: Li et al. (2013), Brendgen et al. (2005), Van den Oever et al. (2008)

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡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)
💡When evaluating studies (e.g., Kiecolt-Glaser's work on stress and immune function), always comment on methodology: sample size, ecological validity, and ethical issues. For example, many stress studies use self-report measures which may be biased.
💡For 12-mark essays, structure your answer using the 'describe, explain, evaluate' framework. Describe the theory/model, explain research evidence (with specific studies), then evaluate strengths and limitations (e.g., cultural bias, reductionism).
💡Use real-world examples to illustrate concepts: e.g., how the NHS uses the HBM in smoking cessation campaigns, or how stress management techniques (e.g., CBT) are applied in healthcare settings.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

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
Misconception: Stress always causes illness. Correction: While chronic stress increases risk, acute stress can actually boost immune function temporarily. The relationship is complex and moderated by factors like coping and social support.
Misconception: The Health Belief Model assumes people are rational decision-makers. Correction: The model acknowledges that perceptions (e.g., of risk) are subjective and influenced by emotions, social norms, and past experiences – it's not purely rational.
Misconception: Type A personality directly causes heart disease. Correction: Research shows the 'toxic' component is hostility/anger, not all Type A traits. Also, the link is correlational, not causal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Biological psychology: understanding of the nervous system, endocrine system, and basic immune function.
•Research methods: knowledge of correlations, experiments, and ethical considerations in psychological research.
•Individual differences: familiarity with personality traits and their measurement.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Analyse

Assess

Compare

Describe

Discuss

Evaluate

Explain

Justify

To what extent

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Topic 8: Health psychology

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL A-Level Psychology

E2E stub topic

Topic 1: Social psychology

Topic 2: Cognitive psychology

Topic 3: Biological psychology

How to Revise Topic 8: Health psychology — Edexcel A-Level Psychology

Examiner Tips for Topic 8: Health psychology

Common Mistakes in Topic 8: Health psychology

Key Marking Points

Topic 8: Health psychology

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

How does stress actually affect the immune system?

What is the difference between the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour?

Can personality really affect your health?

What are the best ways to cope with exam stress?

How do health psychologists measure stress?

Why do people ignore health advice even when they know the risks?

Before You Start

Key Terminology

The Biopsychosocial Model

Physiological Mechanisms of Stress

Models of Behavior Change

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL A-Level Psychology

E2E stub topic

Topic 1: Social psychology

Topic 2: Cognitive psychology

Topic 3: Biological psychology