Health Psychology Overview

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What is one of the negative consequences of moralising eating behaviour?

Improves the health of individuals in low-status groups

Reduces the stigmatization of body shapes that deviate from the thin ideal

Increases acceptance of diverse body types

Exacerbates the low status position of obese people (correct)

What is a common misconception fostered by successful weight loss stories in media?

Healthy behaviors are the only means to achieve weight loss

Weight is controllable and transitioning to a high-status thin group is achievable (correct)

Most dieters experience long-term weight loss success

Obesity is a complex condition influenced by numerous factors

What approach does the 'Health at Every Size' movement promote?

Advocating for strict dieting to achieve health

Telling individuals that weight loss is essential for health

Supporting body acceptance to build confidence and improve health (correct)

Encouraging individuals to conform to societal beauty standards

Which statement best reflects the findings about dieting from research?

Dieting is at best ineffective for long-term weight loss Signup and view all the answers

How are overweight individuals often perceived according to cultural standards?

They are commonly grouped together with those considered obese Signup and view all the answers

Which model of health emphasizes the interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors?

Biopsychosocial model Signup and view all the answers

According to the WHO, what constitutes health?

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being Signup and view all the answers

What influence did Hippocrates have on early beliefs about health?

Suggested that balanced humors promote health Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher argued that the mind and body were separate entities?

Plato Signup and view all the answers

Which advancement in the 18th and 19th centuries significantly changed medical practices?

Invention of the microscope Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective considers changes in health behaviors over a person's lifespan?

Lifespan perspective Signup and view all the answers

What does health behavior involve?

Activities to maintain or improve health Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary health model that emerged after the rejection of the humor theory?

Biomedical model Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does perceived behavioural control refer to in the theory of planned behaviour?

The belief that one can control their own behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a stage in the Stages of Change model?

Assessment Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant contributing factor to dietary excesses in many populations?

Lack of knowledge about nutrition Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the Health Belief Model addresses the perceived risks of a health problem?

Perceived susceptibility Signup and view all the answers

The theory of planned behaviour suggests that intention can predict which of the following?

Engagement in specific health behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of sick-role behaviour?

Staying home from work to recover from illness Signup and view all the answers

What factor is a key determinant of health behaviours and affects food preferences?

Genetic factors Signup and view all the answers

Which eating behavior involves consuming excessive amounts of energy-dense foods?

Binge eating Signup and view all the answers

What is the termination stage in the Stages of Change model characterized by?

No desire to return to unhealthy behaviors Signup and view all the answers

How do anti-drug campaigns often attempt to influence behaviour change?

By sharing statistics on risky behavior rates Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes how cultural differences can affect health behaviours?

Cultural beliefs can dictate attitudes towards health Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological factor can influence a person's eating habits?

Personality traits Signup and view all the answers

What is one major consequence of unhealthy eating patterns?

Increased risk of obesity Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is commonly associated with binge eating disorder?

Eating large quantities of food in short periods Signup and view all the answers

What demographic group is at particular risk of under-eating pathologies?

Younger women aged 15-25 Signup and view all the answers

Which ethnic group showed significantly higher thin-ideal internalization compared to others in the study?

Asian Americans Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of individuals experiencing eating disorders are men?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Which country has the highest reported prevalence of obesity according to the content?

Nauru Signup and view all the answers

In the study on ethnic differences in eating behavior, what shared risk factor was identified for the development of eating disorders?

Thin-ideal internalization Signup and view all the answers

Which psychiatric characteristics are associated with unhealthy under-eating behavior?

Perfectionism and need for control Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as a key biological factor related to obesity and other eating disorders?

Genetic factors Signup and view all the answers

Which of these eating disorders typically presents characteristics from both under-eating and over-eating?

Bulimia nervosa Signup and view all the answers

What commonality was found across ethnic groups regarding risk factors for eating disorders?

Many risk factors are shared rather than unique Signup and view all the answers

What major limitation is associated with the social cognitive models in understanding eating behavior?

They are too broad and hard to test empirically Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as a risk factor for over-eating pathology?

Low self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

What effect does cultural identity have on eating disorders among individuals?

It may provide protection against EDs Signup and view all the answers

How do social cognitive models view the cause of unhealthy eating behaviors?

As rooted in individual responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What impact does Westernization have on ethnic groups in relation to eating disorders?

It leads to uniformity in eating behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary factor contributing to overeating in modern environments?

Urban density and hyper-availability of food Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding cultural ideals of beauty?

Media portrayals often set unattainably thin standards for women. Signup and view all the answers

What does the socio-cultural model of unhealthy eating behavior emphasize?

Environmental and cultural influences on eating behavior Signup and view all the answers

What role does self-determination play in relation to societal standards?

It provides protection from internalizing harmful societal standards. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the limitations of biological risk factors in obesity research?

They are often immutable and unsuitable for intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is associated with body dissatisfaction in children after exposure to certain media?

Discontent with their own body size and thinner ideals Signup and view all the answers

In the context of eating behaviors, what does the Interactionist Model account for?

The interplay between individual vulnerabilities and environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does the Social Identity approach to eating behavior integrate?

Societal norms and how they influence individual behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about dieting effectiveness?

Dieting is largely ineffective as a weight reduction strategy. Signup and view all the answers

What common attributes do socio-cultural explanations for unhealthy eating behaviors identify?

Macro-level variances across demographics and time Signup and view all the answers

How do environmental factors like car ownership impact physical activity levels?

Reduce the average amount of physical activity performed daily Signup and view all the answers

What key factor contributes to the tendency for over-consumption in food-rich environments?

Scarcity of food in evolutionary history Signup and view all the answers

Which approach suggests that eating behavior is a reflection of identity?

Social Identity Approach to Eating Signup and view all the answers

What has research concluded about the influence of social norms on eating behavior?

Individuals conform to norms only when they identify with their source. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Defining Health

World Health Organization (WHO) definition: a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease.
Health psychology, a complex field, aims to promote health, aid adaptation to health problems, and support treatment/rehabilitation.
The biopsychosocial model is central in health psychology, considering various factors including body, mind, and social influences.
A lifespan approach examines health and behavior development over time.

Historical Perspectives on Illness and the Body-Mind Connection

Ancient Greek philosophers (500-300 BC) first documented the connection between body, mind, and illness.
Hippocrates proposed the humoral theory, suggesting illness results from imbalances in bodily fluids (humors).
Plato viewed mind and body as separate entities, a dominant perspective for centuries.
Galen (2nd century) understood illness as localized and tied to different diseases having varying effects.
Descartes posited the body as a machine, with the mind communicating via the pineal gland.

The Biomedical and Biopsychosocial Models

The biomedical model asserts that all illness stems from injury, biochemical imbalances, or infectious agents (bacteria/viruses). This perspective challenged the humoral theory but acknowledged the influence of the mind.
The biopsychosocial model recognizes the influence of biological, psychological, and social factors on health.

Health Behaviors

Health behaviors are activities maintaining or improving health.
Well behaviors: exercise, healthy eating, checkups, vaccinations.
Sick behaviors: treatment, rest, seeking assistance, adjustment to health problem.
Cultural differences affect interpretations of well/sick behaviors.

Theories of Health Behavior Change

Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB): Aims to predict intent based on personal attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control.
Health Belief Model (HBM): Explains health behavior based on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and cues to action.
Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model): Outlines a cyclical process of behavior change with stages including precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination.

Eating Behaviors

Eating behavior is influenced by various biopsychosocial factors including genetics, environment, and personal experiences.
Dietary excesses and deficiencies are common problems, with overeating often associated with obesity, and under-eating with eating disorders.
There are demographic variations in eating behavior (e.g. gender, age, ethnicity, nationality); factors include thin-ideal internalization and BMI.
Genetic makeup, metabolism, specific genes, and neuroendocrine function like serotonin can influence eating behaviors.

Models Explaining Eating Behaviors

Individual Differences Model: Examines personality traits like perfectionism, need for control, and low self-esteem in relation to eating behaviors.
Social Cognitive Models: Focuses on cognitive factors such as beliefs, attitudes, and perceived control in behavior change.
- Criticism of these models: focus on individual responsibility, while ignoring external influences.
Sociocultural Models: Emphasizes the role of culture, environment, and social norms in eating patterns. Obesogenic environments and the thin ideal are highlighted.
Interactionist Model: Combines individual factors with environmental cues to understand the complex interplay shaping behavior.
Social Identity Approach: Eating behaviors are viewed as reflections of identities and social norms, shaped by social and cultural contexts. Group-based stigma and discrimination can affect eating behaviors.

Summary of Eating Behavior Models

Individual differences, social cognitive, and sociocultural models provide insights into eating behaviors.
Interactionist models offer a nuanced perspective, emphasizing the interplay between individual characteristics and environmental influences.
Social identity approaches acknowledge how social contexts, norms, and identities influence eating patterns.

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Description

Explore key concepts in health psychology, including definitions of health by the WHO, the biopsychosocial model, and historical perspectives on the body-mind connection. This quiz will enhance your understanding of how physical, mental, and social factors contribute to overall well-being and the evolution of theories in the field.