COM 205: Introduction to Medical Psychology (1 Unit C: LH 30)

Course Overview

This course provides an introductory understanding of medical psychology, focusing on

fundamental psychological concepts and their relevance to medical practice. It explores human
behavior, cognitive processes, personality, and psychopathology, equipping students with
foundational knowledge applicable in healthcare settings.

Course Contents

1. Basic Concepts in Psychology

o Definition and scope of psychology
o Psychological perspectives and approaches
o The relevance of psychology to medicine

2. Behavior, Stimulus Systems, Motivation, and Moods

o Understanding human behavior and responses
o The role of stimuli in shaping behavior
o Motivation theories and their application in healthcare
o Mood regulation and its impact on mental health

3. Basic Cognitive Processes: Learning, Intelligence, and Memory

o Mechanisms of learning and behavior modification
o Theories of intelligence and their assessment
o Memory types, functions, and disorders

4. Thinking and Cognitive Theories

o Problem-solving and decision-making processes
o Major cognitive theories and their implications in medicine

5. Personality
o Theories of personality development
o Personality assessment and its clinical significance

6. Introduction to Social Psychology

o Social influences on behavior and health
o Group dynamics and patient interaction

7. Introduction to Behavioral Research

o Research methods in psychology
o Ethical considerations in behavioral studies

8. Fundamentals of Psychopathology
o Classification and diagnosis of mental disorders
 o Psychological interventions in medical practice

BASIC CONCEPTS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Definition and Scope of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. It seeks

to understand how people think, feel, and act in different situations. The
discipline covers various aspects, including perception, emotions, cognition,
learning, and personality.

The scope of psychology extends across multiple fields, including:

Clinical Psychology – Focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders.

Cognitive Psychology – Studies mental processes like memory, problem-

solving, and decision-making.

Developmental Psychology – Examines how people grow and change across

their lifespan.

Social Psychology – Explores how individuals are influenced by social

interactions.

Health Psychology – Investigates how psychological factors affect physical

health and illness.

Psychological Perspectives and Approaches

Psychologists study human behavior using different perspectives, each

offering a unique explanation for why people think and act the way they do.
Some key perspectives include:

1. Biological Perspective – Examines how brain structures,

neurotransmitters, and genetics influence behavior.
2. Behavioral Perspective – Focuses on observable behaviors and how
they are learned through conditioning (e.g., Pavlov’s classical
conditioning, Skinner’s operant conditioning).
3. Cognitive Perspective – Studies how people perceive, think, and solve
problems.
 4. Psychoanalytic Perspective (Freudian Theory) – Emphasizes the role of
unconscious thoughts and early childhood experiences in shaping
behavior.
5. Humanistic Perspective – Highlights individual potential, self-
actualization, and personal growth (e.g., Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs).
6. Social-Cultural Perspective – Investigates how culture and social
interactions shape human behavior.

The Relevance of Psychology to Medicine

Psychology plays a crucial role in medical practice by helping healthcare

professionals understand and manage patients more effectively. Some key
areas of relevance include:

Patient Communication – Knowledge of psychological principles helps

doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers interact better with patients.

Mental Health and Well-being – Understanding psychological disorders allows

for early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like depression, anxiety, and
PTSD.

Behavioral Medicine – Psychological techniques (e.g., cognitive-behavioral

therapy) help manage chronic diseases, pain, and substance abuse.

Stress Management – Helps both patients and healthcare professionals cope

with stress, leading to better health outcomes.

Adherence to Medical Treatment – Psychological factors influence whether

patients follow prescribed treatments and lifestyle changes.

BEHAVIOR, STIMULUS SYSTEMS, MOTIVATION, AND MOODS

Understanding behavior, stimulus systems, motivation, and moods is

essential for improving patient care, treatment adherence, and mental health
management.

Understanding Human Behavior and Responses

Human behavior is influenced by a complex interplay of biological,
psychological, and environmental factors. In medical psychology,
understanding behavior helps healthcare professionals predict patient
responses to illness, stress, and treatment.

Biological Basis: Neural and hormonal mechanisms regulate emotions and

decision-making. For instance, the limbic system (amygdala and
hippocampus) plays a crucial role in emotional responses.

A patient with chronic stress may experience elevated cortisol levels, leading
to anxiety, poor sleep, and weakened immune function. The amygdala, a key
structure in the limbic system, becomes hyperactive, making the patient
more reactive to minor health concerns. This can result in health anxiety,
where they frequently visit hospitals despite minor symptoms.

Physicians can recommend stress management techniques (e.g.,

mindfulness, breathing exercises) to regulate cortisol levels. Medication like
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) may be prescribed for
patients with anxiety or depression affecting their health decisions.

Psychological Factors: Personality, past experiences, and cognitive biases

shape behavior. For example, a patient with past traumatic medical
experiences may develop anxiety before procedures.

A child who had a traumatic dental procedure in the past may develop dental
phobia as an adult. Every visit to a dentist triggers an anxiety response due
to classical conditioning—associating the dentist’s office with pain.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help patients reframe their negative
associations with medical procedures.

Dentists and doctors can use desensitization techniques, such as gradually

exposing the patient to non-threatening dental environments.

Providing reassurance and control (e.g., allowing the patient to signal if they
want a break) reduces anxiety.

Social Influences: Cultural background, family support, and societal norms

affect health behaviors.

A woman from a traditional community may refuse cervical cancer screening

due to cultural beliefs that discourage discussing reproductive health. Even
when she experiences symptoms, she may delay seeking medical attention,
increasing the risk of late-stage cancer diagnosis.
Culturally sensitive education campaigns can promote health screenings
without violating cultural norms.

Community health workers from the same background can bridge the gap by
providing culturally appropriate explanations.

Family involvement in decision-making may encourage health-seeking

behavior, as some cultures prioritize collective decisions over individual
choices.

The Role of Stimuli in Shaping Behavior

Stimuli—both internal (e.g., pain, hunger) and external (e.g., medical

environment, healthcare provider interactions)—trigger behavioral
responses. Stimulus systems are fundamental to classical and operant
conditioning theories:

Classical Conditioning (Pavlovian Theory): Learned Associations in Healthcare

Classical conditioning occurs when a patient associates a neutral stimulus

(e.g., a hospital setting) with a negative experience (e.g., pain or discomfort),
leading to a conditioned response (e.g., anxiety or fear).

A child who experienced painful injections during hospital visits may later
develop hospital anxiety. Even without an injection, the sight of a nurse or
the smell of antiseptics can trigger fear and distress.

Desensitization techniques: Gradually exposing the patient to the feared

environment (e.g., bringing them to the hospital for non-painful visits) can
help reduce anxiety.

Creating positive associations: Healthcare professionals can use soothing

environments, friendly interactions, and distraction techniques (e.g., toys for
children) to make hospital visits less stressful.

Operant Conditioning (Skinner’s Theory): Reinforcement and Behavior

Change

Operant conditioning involves reinforcement and punishment, where

behaviors are shaped based on their consequences.

Example of Positive Reinforcement:

A doctor praises a diabetic patient for consistently maintaining a healthy diet
and glucose levels. The positive feedback reinforces the behavior, making
the patient more likely to continue their healthy habits.

Example of Negative Reinforcement:

A patient with chronic migraines takes painkillers, which relieve the pain.
Since taking the medication removes an unpleasant stimulus (pain), they are
more likely to continue using it.

Use positive reinforcement: Encouraging words, small rewards (e.g., progress

charts), and recognition can motivate patients to follow treatment plans.

Apply negative reinforcement strategically: Doctors can highlight how

adopting healthy behaviors (e.g., quitting smoking) reduces discomfort (e.g.,
fewer breathing issues).

Avoid excessive punishment: Scolding patients for non-adherence may

backfire, leading to resistance rather than motivation.

Motivation Theories and Their Application in Healthcare

Motivation drives individuals to initiate, sustain, or change behavior. Several

theories explain patient motivation in healthcare:

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Patients prioritize physiological needs (e.g.,

pain relief) before addressing higher needs (e.g., self-actualization through
lifestyle changes).

A patient with severe arthritis pain is unlikely to focus on long-term weight

loss recommendations until their immediate pain is managed. If a doctor
advises dietary changes and exercise without first addressing pain control,
the patient may ignore the recommendations.

The doctor should first prescribe pain management strategies (e.g.,

medication, physical therapy).

Once pain is controlled, the patient may become more motivated to engage
in lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and diet changes, to prevent
further joint deterioration.

Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan): Patients are more likely to adhere
to treatment when they feel autonomous, competent, and supported.

A diabetic patient may resist insulin therapy if they feel it limits their
autonomy. However, if the doctor educates them on how insulin helps
prevent complications and involves them in treatment decisions, the patient
may become more cooperative.

Allow patients to participate in decision-making (e.g., choosing between

different treatment options).

Provide education and skill-building to enhance competence (e.g., teaching a

diabetic patient how to monitor blood sugar).

Offer emotional support through healthcare teams, family involvement, and

support groups.

Health Belief Model (HBM): A patient’s perceived severity of illness and

perceived benefits of treatment influence health behaviors.

A young man with mild hypertension may ignore medication advice if he

doesn’t perceive hypertension as serious. However, if his doctor explains that
untreated hypertension can lead to stroke or heart attack, he may become
motivated to follow treatment.

Use real-life examples and statistics to increase perceived severity (e.g., “1

in 3 untreated hypertension cases leads to complications”).

Highlight clear benefits of adherence (e.g., “Taking medication reduces

stroke risk by 50%”).

Address barriers like cost or side effects by suggesting affordable or

alternative treatments.

Mood Regulation and Its Impact on Mental Health

Mood regulation is critical in medical psychology because mood disorders

(e.g., depression, anxiety) affect patient outcomes.

Neurobiological Factors: Mood regulation involves neurotransmitters

(serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine) and brain regions (prefrontal cortex,
limbic system).

Cognitive-Behavioral Aspects: Negative thought patterns can perpetuate

mood disturbances. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients
reframe negative thoughts.

Impact on Health: Chronic stress and poor mood regulation contribute to

conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and immune dysfunction.