ASSUMPTIONS IN HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Some of the research cited in this chapter illustrates the kinds of assumptions that
underlie the study of health professionals and also provides insights into the assumptions
of health psychology.
1 The mind–body split. Health psychology attempts to challenge the biomedical model
of health and illness. This involves challenging biomedical assumptions such as the
mind–body split. However, perhaps by emphasizing the mind (attitudes, cognitions,
beliefs) as a separate entity, the mind–body split is not challenged but reinforced.
2 Biomedical outcomes. Challenging the biomedical model also involves questioning
some of the outcomes used by medicine. For example, compliance with recommenda-
tions for drug-taking, accuracy of recall, changing health behaviours following
advice are all established desired outcomes. Health psychology accepts these out-
comes by examining ways in which communication can be improved, variability
can be understood and reduced and compliance promoted. However, again, accepting
these outcomes as legitimate is also a way of supporting biomedicine. Perhaps
variability is acceptable. Perhaps inaccuracy of recall sums up what happens in com-
munication (psychologists who study memory would argue that memory is the only
process that is defined by its failures – memory is about reconstruction). Even though
psychology adds to a biomedical model, by accepting the same outcomes it does not
challenge it.
3 Adding the social context. Individuals exist within a social world and yet health
psychology often misses out this world. An emphasis on the interaction between
health professionals and patients represents an attempt to examine the cognitions of
both these groups in the context of each other (the relationship context). However,
this interaction is still accessed through an individual’s beliefs. Is asking someone
about the interaction actually examining the interaction or is it examining their
cognitions about this interaction?FURTHER READING
➧ Boyle, C.M. (1970) Differences between patients’ and doctors’ interpretations
of common medical terms, British Medical Journal, 2: 286–9.
This is a classic paper illustrating differences between doctors’ and patients’
knowledge and interpretation. At the time it was written it was central to the
contemporary emphasis on a need to acknowledge how uninformed patients
were. However, it also illustrates some variability in doctors’ knowledge.FOR DISCUSSION
Consider the last time you had contact with a health professional (e.g. doctor,
dentist, nurse, etc.). Discuss the content of the consultation and think about how the
health professional’s health beliefs may have influenced this.96 HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY