Health Psychology PG4080 TTh 2-3:15, Thach 202 Instructor: Laura Vernon GTA: Amber Henslee

Defining “Illness” 1. ________________________ –rare or unusual –deviation from standard –Problems: some illness is common – some good qualities are rare – who sets standard

2. Personal Distress/Suffering –Problems: some suffering people not ill – some ill people not suffering

3. Impaired Functioning –________________________________ –Problems: some low functioning people not ill – some high functioning people are ill

Defining Health Absence of disease (All or None = _____________ definition) –Con: Couch potato & athlete are both defined as healthy Acquisition of a positive state (Categorical definition) –Pro: Considers health (& not just illness) –Con: Blind is defined as UNhealthy

Movement in a positive direction (On a Continuum = Dimensional definition) –Pro: Can be _________________ (biological, psychological, social) –Used by World Health Organization (WHO)