How have views of the relationship between physical illnesses and psychological factors changed over time? What
fields of study reflect this new perspective?
What will be an ideal response?
While some physical disorders were once described as psychosomatic or psychophysiologic to emphasize the
role of psychological factors in their etiology, such terms are all but obsolete today. While it was once thought
that only disorders clearly related to stress, such as ulcers and asthma, were influenced by psychological factors,
it is now recognized that all physical illnesses are affected in some way by psychological factors. Psychological
factors can influence the development, progression, and treatment of all physical illnesses. Behavioral medicine
is the interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of physical disorders that considers the impact of psychosocial
factors and health psychology is the area of psychology that studies the role of psychological factors in illnesses.
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An example of a non-normative influence that may influence or change your life might be _____
a) being born in the year 1995 b) being alive as the first African-American becomes the President of the United States c) being aware of where you were when on 9/11/2001 terrorists flew into the Twin Towers d) winning the Pennsylvania Lottery's Cash 5 game for $ 1.2 million
When marital relationships have negative effects on physical health, what is the physiological mechanism at work?
A) Increased blood pressure B) Increased VO2 max C) Production of the neurotransmitter serotonin D) Production of the stress-related hormone cortisol