Psychology 227
Health Psychology: An Overview
Winter, 2007
Class:
Wednesday, 1-4
5461 Franz Hall
Professor:
Chris Dunkel Schetter
5617 Franz Hall
206-8116 825-5198 (fax)
dunkel@psych.ucla.edu
Office Hours: Wed 4-5 pm and by appt
Readings
The required readings can be purchased in hard copy during class, and some articles will be
available on email as pdfs to print.
Highly recommended to accompany readings (Available in UCLA Bookstore):
Taylor, S. (2005). Health Psychology (6th edition). New York: McGraw Hill.
Course Content
This course provides an overview of the core topics in health psychology. It is designed
primarily for psychology doctoral and postdoctoral students, and therefore emphasizes
psychological research approaches. The length of the quarter does not permit covering any topic
in great depth, nor does it enable us to overview the entire field. As a compromise, we will
sample research readings from most of the main topics in the field, with an emphasis on
fundamentals and current issues. The readings are mainly basic research and reviews of basic
research, with minimal treatment of applications, policy, or clinical treatment issues.
Methodological rigor and theoretical perspectives will be emphasized.
The course fulfills the requirements for the minor in health psychology and is required of all
NIMH pre- and post-doctoral trainees in health psychology. Graduate students and postdoctoral
fellows from departments other than psychology must have permission of the instructors to enroll
or attend. There will be a ceiling on enrollment in order to ensure an optimal class size.
Course Format
Each week we will meet from 12-1 with the Health Psychology Lecture Series in 5461 Franz
Hall to hear a guest speaker. Following the presentation we will discuss readings on the topic of
the day -- usually (but not always) closely tied to the speaker’s topic. Often we will have the
speaker join us for questions and discussion of the readings. Enrollment in the Psychology 425
Lecture Series is required for all graduate students. To facilitate discussion, you will be
asked to email the professor a 2-3 page, double-spaced typewritten commentary on the readings
(details below) by noon each Tuesday.
Requirements
It is assumed that all class participants (enrolled students and auditing postdoctoral fellows) will
have read all required readings carefully prior to coming to class and come prepared to discuss
them. Weekly written commentaries are required of everyone. The assigned content will be
given a week in advance. They are due Tuesday at noon and may be sent to the professor by
email attachment only. They will be returned with comments and an evaluation of satisfactory,
outstanding or unsatisfactory. Regular attendance in class and participation in discussions are
expected as part of course requirements. Major deviations from this expectation should be
discussed with the professors as soon as possible in advance.
A final paper of approximately 15 pages in length or an oral presentation on a topic of your
choosing is due at the end of the quarter. The topic might be a literature review with critique and
suggested future research directions, a research proposal, or a literature review. Topics for final
papers or presentations must be approved by the 4th week of classes. Outlines of the plan of the
paper or report are due during the 6th week and will be returned with feedback and possible
redirection. The paper may fulfill other requirements for students (e.g. draft of a dissertation
proposal or of a C paper in the Psychology department), providing this is approved in advance by
one of the Professors.
Course grades will be based partly on the final papers (or oral presentations) (about 50%).
Weekly papers, and the frequency and value of contributions to class discussions will be
considered as well (remaining 50%).
Class Schedule
January 11
Introduction to Health Psychology
January 18
Models of Health Behavior
January 25
Health Behavior Change
February 1
Health Beh Change and Assorted Issues in HIV (continued)
February 8
Stress Processes and Disease Etiology
February 15
Psychoneuroimmunology
February 22
Coping and Adjustment to Illness
March 1
Social Relationships, Social Support, and Health
March 8
Pain and Pain Management
March 15
Health Care Provider Issues (Possible Oral Reports)
March 20:
FINAL PAPERS DUE