Question

Which of the following statements about the field of health psychology is most accurate? a. It does not define health as being the mere absence of disease. b. It focuses exclusively on positive psychology. c. It applies mainly to those in the health professions. d. It focuses mainly on applied research.

Answer 1

a. It does not define health as being the mere absence of disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

Health Psychology:

It is the study of psychological and behavioral processes in health, illness, and healthcare. It focuses on the role of psychological, behavioral, and cultural factors in physical health and illness.

According to Health Psychology: A Textbook (5th ed.), health psychologists take a biopsychosocial approach. They understand health to be the product not only of biological processes (e.g., a virus, tumor, etc.) but also of psychological (e.g., thoughts and beliefs), behavioral (e.g., habits), and social processes (e.g., socioeconomic status and ethnicity).