PSYC159 CM - Psychosocial Determinants of Health

The idea that the mind and associated psychological states, may have consequences on health goes back as far as Hippocrates, the father of clinical medicine, who linked emotion and disease by arguing that they have similar antecedents. Currently both psychotherapists and practicing physicians similarly have recognized the co-morbidity of psychological and physical disorders. Moreover, increasingly a large body of epidemiological and sociological work demonstrates that social-cultural factors such as socioeconomic status, sex, and race/ethnicity are pivotal in understanding health. The current course explores the complex relationship among biological, psychological and social-cultural factors that influence a wide range of physical and mental health outcomes.

Prerequisite: One lower-level psychology course

Offered: Every year

Credit: 1

Course Number: PSYC159 CM