Learning Objectives

These are the concepts and the learning objectives for Chapter 15. Read them carefully as part of your preliminary survey of the chapter.

Stress and Coping

1. Define health psychology and its centrally important concept of stress, including the biological and psychological costs of that stress. (pp. 444-445)

2. Describe and illustrate Selye's general adaptation syndrome. (pp. 445-447)

3. Identify the major categories of stressors and their consequences, including posttraumatic stress disorder. (pp. 448-449)

4. Discuss the concept of learned helplessness, how it develops, and its effect on behavior. (pp. 449-450)

5. Describe coping strategies, including defense mechanisms, social support, hardiness, and related strategies. (pp. 450-453)

Psychological Aspects of Illness and Well-Being

6. Distinguish Type A and Type B personalities and the major health risks of Type A behavior, especially coronary heart disease. (pp. 454-456)

7. Discuss the role of health psychology in the treatment of cancer. (pp. 456-457)

8. Discuss the problem of smoking, how one becomes addicted, and how one attempts to quit. (pp. 457-460)

9. Discuss the characteristics of happy people. (pp. 460-461)

Psychological Factors Related to Physical Illness: Going to the Doctor

10. Outline and describe the various problems that hinder effective communication between the physician and the patient. (pp. 462-463)

11. Discuss the problems associated with patient compliance to physician's orders and the various ways to increase compliance. (pp. 463-464)