PSYCHOLOGY 407
Health Psychology
Winter Session -1999 Syllabus
Instructor: John E. Martin, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Psychology (SDSU)
Associate Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry (UCSD)| Lecture Notes Online | Grading and Tests | Written Assignments |
| Extra Credit | Special Info | Psych 407 Home |
Office: SDSU/UCSD Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 103
San Diego, CA 92120
Research Office: 5564 Hardy Ave
Telephone: 594-7883
FAX: 594-6780
email: jmartin@sdsu.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Class Meetings: MTWTh - 11:00 am to 2:30 pm OR M-F 11:00 &emdash; 1:50
Life Sciences Bldg. Room No. LS-248.
Text: Health and Human Behavior
Kaplan, Sallis, and Patterson (1993). NY: McGraw Hill.
Readings: Martin, J. Psych 407 Supplemental Readings Booklet
(available at Aztec Shops Bookstore or used elsewhere)
On Reserve:
Assigned
1. Martin, J.E., & Carlson, C. (1988). Spiritual Dimensions of Health Psychology.
2. Booth, J. & Martin, J.E. Spiritual and Religious Factors in Substance Use, Dependence and Recovery
3. Booth, J. & Martin, J.E. Af-Am Church-based CVD Interventions
4. Martin, J.E. & Prue, D. Marketing Behavioral Medicine.
Recommended:
Miller, L.K. (1975). Principles of Everyday Behavior Analysis, BrooksCole.
Cozby, Paul C. (1989, 4th Ed.) Methods in Behavioral Research, Mayfield Pub., Mt. View, Ca.
Chance, Paul (1994, 3rd Ed.) Learning and Behavior. Brooks/Cole Pub., Pacific Grove, Ca.
Grading: 11 quizzes @ 15 pts each (drop lowest) 150 points
Health Behavior Assessment/Paper 50 points
____________________________________________________
200 points
EXTRA CREDIT: (one only)
5-10 page Research Summary Paper on:
(a) Minority Health, or (b) Alternative Healthor (c) Women’s Health issue 10 points
Grading and TESTS
Grading. There are eleven (11) scheduled tests (quizzes). They are multiple choice primarily with some possible short answer. All are worth 15 points each. Tests will cover lectures and chapters assigned for that day. Tests will cover chapters and readings assigned for that class PLUS class presentation material/lecture. Tests will be taken during the LAST 20-30 minutes of the class period. Class tests/quizzes cannot be made up. To provide grace to those who may have had a "bad quiz day" (similar to a ‘bad hair day’) or who were sick once, the Lowest grade quiz will be dropped for all students. Thus total quiz points will be 150 pts (10 quizzes X 15 points).
Exam Forms: All Quizzes will be computer scored. We will be using the RED ParScore system and computerized forms, as:
First (Student Enrollment Sheet) Form for Quiz 1 (HALF SIZE:
ParScore Scantron Form # F-288-ERI-L
All Other Quizzes (quarter Sheet): ParScore Scantron Form # F-289-ERI-L
Exam Procedure: All exams will be given in the FINAL 20 to 30 min. of class periods. Hand in test answer sheet with your computer answer form, or you will not be given credit for quiz.
Be sure to fill out these forms completely, and to use a No. 2 pencil for completely darkening in a/b/c/c slot on form, AND to be sure to have your SSN on each quiz form
NOTE: Scantron Forms that are not properly filled out (e.g. with SSN, name etc. on first one, SSN on subsequent numbers), or in which there are incomplete erasures or unrecognizable marks, WILL be subject to a 1 point deduction (if the Professor must correct them).
Grading Criteria:
Grades are based on a percentage of the maximum 200 points, as follows:
A=90-100% (180-200 pts.)
B=80-89% (160-180 pts.)
C=70-79% (140-160 pts.)
D=60-69% (120-140 pts.)
F= <60% (<120 pts.)Professor reserves right to use a grade curve at the end of the course, but this is rarely if ever used.
Extra Credit points will be added in on top of the standard points and can only raise overall grade. Extra credit will be graded conservatively (i.e. must be earned by excellent work).
Exam/Grade Feedback: A running total of your quiz scores and other points earned will be posted weekly outside the classroom.
COURSE OUTLINE FOR HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Dr. Martin. Winter 99
Class TOPICS CHAPTERS TEST*
________________________________________________________________________
1. Course Overview & Field Introduction
Introduction to, History and
and Definition of the Field 1 NO
2. Disease/Behavioral Epidemiology
And the Health Care System (1), 2 & 4 yes
3. Behavior, health, and illness & Compliance 3 & 5 yes
4. Stress & Coping, & Social Support 6 &7 yes
**(Health Behavior Description due)
6. Cardiovascular diseases I
Epidemiology & Etiology
Primary Treatment/Prevention
High Blood Pressure;
Secondary and Tertiary Treatment 9 & 10 yes
5. Metabolic Regulation I:
Diet, Obesity & Eating Disorders 14 & 17 yes
6. Metabolic Regulation II:
Physical Activity & Exercise 15 yes
6. Chronic Illness: Pain, Chronic pain/ Arthritis
Diabetes 8 & 9 yes
.
9. Diseases of the Immune System:
Cancer, HIV/AIDS &
11 &12 yes
10. Injury, violence,
Substance abuse I: Alcohol 13 & 16 yes
Substance Abuse II:
Smoking and Tobacco
11. Community & Person Interventions,
Diseases of Minorities and Aged 18 & 19 yes
(+Researve/TBA Readings)
12. Religious and Spiritual Factors in Health yes
And Disease. (Reserve/TBA Readings)
*Note: Daily Test/Quizzes will occur in the FINAL 20-30 min of class and cover material assigned for that day (Chapters and Readings) and lecture for that day. No make-up quizzes.
Lowest quiz/test score will be dropped before final grading.
NOTE: CLASS SYLLABUS AND LECTURE NOTES MAY BE ACCESSED THROUGH A WEB PAGE ADDRESS AT:
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/classes/psy407
Written Assignments:
ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TYPED DOUBLE SPACE REPORTS AND USE APA (American Psychological Association Publication) STYLE. This manual can be found in the Library or in the Psychology library. A model of this style is contained in the Cozby book on reserve.
1. HEALTH BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT PROJECT
Each student will plan and write a personal health behavior change program as a formal case report. Grading is based on quality of the following assignments. NOTE: This is not a behavior change paper/project, but rather one designed to teach you to assess and set up a program, not implement it (there is not the time for that). You may wish to continue the program for your own benefit. Occasionally students actually begin the health behavior treatment implementation and include that in their paper, but this is not required.
General Description: Students will individually choose a health behavior or problem related to their health, develop quantification systems and take baseline data (e.g. self-monitor) for at least one week on three areas of functioning which encompass the problem behavior or its consequences (resulting from either the excess or inhibition of this desirable/undesirable behavior. It MUST include definitions of and measures provided for the following three modalities: (1) overt motor behavior, (2) physiological response and (3) cognitive/self-report sphere (may include emotions or spiritual experience), select a self-treatment intervention.
Assessment and treatment methodologies can be determined from the Miller/Principles book, supplemental readings in health behavior modification, from consultations with Dr. Martin as well as his class presentations. Single-subject clinical research design must be used and defended (in write up), and all data presented on a graph or graphs. A case study paper must then be written describing your target health behavior and proposed treatment intervention, showing the baseline data collected on a graph and described in the text of the paper, including an introduction section (in which at least one article is cited and discussed from the scientific/therapy literature describing treatment for this type of problem), a methods section (including subjects, measures, design, hypothesis, procedures), hypothesized results and a discussion section (including limitations and possible confounds of the study). This paper will be due on the last day of class. If you want your paper back, please give Dr. Martin a SASE (large) for return to you
Here is How the Health Change Paper/Project is Broken Up:
1.Due End of Week 1 (last class period that week). One paragraph , objective description and definition of the target behavior and why you want to change it. Examples of behavioral targets would be decreasing fast food consumption or doing monthly breast self-exams. You can choose a behavior that will help you maintain good health, or if you have a medical condition, you can select a behavior that is part of your treatment, like regular self-testing for diabetics. You need to choose one well defined category of behavior and describe your motivation for changing it. Even though your ultimate goal may be to lose weight, lower your cholesterol, or stabilize your blood sugar, do not choose the physiological outcomes as targets. You will track these "endpoints", rather, as dependent measures. Targets are behaviors that will help you change a physiological variable. (10 points)
FINAL REPORT IS DUE Last Day of Class. Completed case report in APA style. You should improve and expand your introduction, case history, and methods, as needed, based on the feedback you received on your proposal. Write as formal paper, using 3rd person (do not use "I" or "We" this and that, rather use "The subject...."). If you wish, you may add projected results, but be sure to include a discussion section either way, plus graphs to document your behavior assessment. 5 pages minimum, 20 pages maximum.
Points are deducted for late papers. Graphs of resulting data should be provided for full credit .(40 points).
EXTRA CREDIT (10 pts)
If you want or need additional points, or if you get turned on by a particular topic, you can do a 5-page report. All reports must address an important topic in minority health or women's health. You can summarize two or three key studies and discuss their implications. You can do a review of a topic or problem. Or you can come up with your own format. Each report must contain your own analysis of the problem, opinion about how to solve the problem, or suggestions for further research. In other words, I want evidence that you gave some thought to the issue and did not just summarize a couple of studies. All topics and formats must be cleared with me. Points earned depend on the quality of the report. Reports must be a minimum of 5 pages, and maximum 15 pages.
1. ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES REPORT
More attention is being paid to non-traditional or alternative therapies for curing or preventing medical conditions. There is no accepted definition of what an "alternative therapy" is, but examples are well known: psychological treatment for cancer, mega-vitamin therapy, herbal cures for arthritis, spiritual and religious interventions, and a variety of other so-called "holistic" approaches to health care. Some alternative therapies are based on different cultural traditions, such as herbal healing from Africa and South America. Other approaches are entire systems of medicine, such as from China and India. Some could be described as "new age" and others use electronic devices. Some alternative therapies are simply the result of immigrants using in the US the same cures they used in the native countries. There is also a growing body of both anecdotal and research literature on religious and spiritual factors and practices on health and disease status of individuals and groups. In all, the therapies typically share the characteristic that their value has not been proven in the usual kinds of scientific studies. There is a great deal of interest in, and use of, alternative therapies. This assignment will allow you to explore or even develop your own interests and knowledge base in this exciting new area.
Health psychologists may be interested in the reasons why people seek out alternative therapies. They may also be interested in evaluating some of the therapies to see if they do what is claimed. For example, is this herb merely a placebo or does it have a specific effect on headaches?
Many of you will have direct experience with an "alternative therapy" or know someone who has. Your personal interest will make this paper more interesting for you. Your assignment is to write a 5-page paper on the alternative therapy of your choice. You need to clear the topic with me before starting. The paper should cover these areas.
Describe the alternative therapy, its history and origins, the theory behind it, and the recommended uses.
Summarize the case for the therapy. You should personal experience, interviews with others, and published articles in the lay or professional literature. Compare it to mainstream medical therapies for the same condition.
Summarize the case against the therapy. Use the same sources, but also make sure you critique the current state of knowledge from a scientific point of view. Are there reports this therapy may cause harm?
State your own opinions on this therapy. Is it worth testing in scientific studies? Would you recommend it to a sick friend? Should it be regulated in any way?
List the references you used. .
OR 2. Report on Minority Health Topic (10 points)
OR 3. Report on Women’s Health Issue (10 points)
CHOOSE ONLY ONE OF THE 3 POSSIBLE EX-CREDIT PAPERS
*** Class Participation. Finally, students who do a superlative job in asking questions and bringing issues to the attention of the teacher and students, indicating that they have read and thought about the material for class, can earn from 1 to 5 max. additional points as extra credit. Only exceptional performance in class will be recognized for these relatively rare reward points, which will be determined by professor at end of class.
SPECIAL EMAIL/FEEDBACK NOTE: For Students who have their email account, you are welcome (and encouraged) to send in assignments via email. This includes your journal/portfolio, reports, and even behavior change report. You can also send in drafts of assignments for feedback and shaping. I usually get back within 24 hours. ITS A GREAT WAY TO INCREASE YOUR GRADE, LEARNING, AND IMPRESS THE PROF ALL AT ONCE. My email address is:
jmartin@sdsu.edu
For full papers, if you are on Eudora, send them as "attachments", in microsoft word.
WEB Page Information: You may access the class syllabus and lecture notes thru the following internet web page address:
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/classes/psy407
Special Course NOTES
Reminders...
1. If you cannot turn in an assignment in class, leave it at the Psychology Dept. office
in LS 110, or the Psych Clinic at 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 103, and BE SURE TO HAVE SOMEONE THERE DATE/TIME AND SIGN YOUR ASSIGNMENT. (Remember you can email it also).
2. If you want your final reports, materials, journal, etc., returned, attach a SASE.