PSC 126 Midterm 1

What is the definition of health psychology?

Understanding psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they respond when they do get ill.

How have the causes of mortality changed since the 1900s?

More preventable disease.

What are non-communicable diseases (NCDs)? Give examples.

NCDs are not transferable from person to person, examples include heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

What is the difference between an experiment and correlational research?

An experiment looks at causality by manipulating an independent variable to get a dependent variable; correlational research is non-causal.

What is a randomized clinical trial (RCT)? Why is it considered the 'gold standard'?

An experiment with randomized participants; it is the 'gold standard' due to strong causality and validity.

What is correlational research?

It investigates whether one change corresponds with a change in another variable.

What is prospective research design?

A design that looks forward in time to observe changes.

What is retrospective research design?

A design that looks backward in time to reconstruct conditions leading to a current situation.

Define morbidity and mortality. How are they different?

Morbidity is the number of cases of a disease. Mortality is the number of deaths from that disease.

What is the difference between prevalence and incidence?

Prevalence is the proportion of the population with a disease, while incidence is the number of new cases per population percentage.

What is epidemiology?

The study of frequency, distribution, and causes of infectious and noninfectious diseases in a population.

What does the term 'etiology' mean?

The origin or cause of an illness.

What are the main divisions of the nervous system?

Central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral (autonomic and somatic).

Differentiate between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Sympathetic: fight or flight; Parasympathetic: rest and digest.

Name the four lobes of the cerebral cortex.

Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital.

What are some common disorders of the nervous system?

Epilepsy, Parkinson's disease.

What is the role of the endocrine system?

To secrete hormones into the blood to stimulate change in organs.

Where are adrenal glands located and what hormones do they produce?

Located on the kidneys; produce epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol.

What is diabetes? Differentiate between Type 1 and Type 2.

Diabetes is when the body cannot manufacture or properly use insulin; Type 1 is genetic, Type 2 is acquired.

Describe the structure of the heart and its chambers.

The heart has four chambers: right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle.

What is atherosclerosis?

Deposits of cholesterol on arterial walls that narrow arteries, reducing blood flow.

What is myocardial infarction?

A heart attack.

What is ischemia?

Lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart.

What is blood composed of?

Blood is composed of plasma and red and white blood cells.

What are the main functions of the respiratory system?

To take in oxygen, excrete carbon dioxide, and regulate the composition of blood.

What are common respiratory disorders?

Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer.

What is the structure of the digestive system?

Food is converted into heat and energy; digestion makes food absorbable into the blood.

What disorders affect the digestive system?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastroenteritis, ulcers, hepatitis.

What are the major components of the renal system?

The kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

What is the main role of the immune system?

To resist pathogens.

How do nonspecific immune mechanisms differ from specific immune mechanisms?

Nonspecific responses are general; specific mechanisms are acquired after birth.

Define lupus.

A disease characterized by skin rashes, inflammation, and pain.

What is the health belief model?

A model stating that health behavior depends on personal health threat perception and belief in effective action.

What is self-determination theory?

A theory that emphasizes autonomously motivated behavior towards personal goals.

What is motivational interviewing?

Client-centered counseling aimed at encouraging health behavior change.

What is the abstinence violation effect?

Feeling loss of control resulting from breaking self-imposed rules, which can lead to relapse.

What is the transtheoretical model of behavior change?

Stages include precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance.

What are seven positive health habits from the Alameda County Study?

Regular breakfast, moderate alcohol intake, regular exercise, not eating between meals, weight control.

What are the health benefits of regular exercise?

Reduces risk of chronic diseases and enhances cognitive functioning.

How does sleep affect health?

Lack of sleep can impair cognitive functioning and increase risk of chronic conditions.

What is the recommendation for meal composition according to U.S. guidelines?

50% fruits and vegetables, 25% protein, 25% grains.

Describe the effects of stress on diet and eating behaviors.

People often eat more when stressed; stress can lead to dietary relapse.