1

An introduction to

health psychology

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter examines the background against which health

psychology developed in terms of (1) the traditional

biomedical model of health and illness that emerged in the

nineteenth century, and (2) changes in perspectives of health

and illness over the twentieth century. The chapter highlights

differences between health psychology and the biomedical

model and examines the kinds of questions asked by health

psychologists. Then the possible future of health psychology

in terms of both clinical health psychology and becoming a

professional health psychologist is discussed. Finally, this

chapter outlines the aims of the textbook and describes how

the book is structured.

This chapter covers:

➧ The background to health psychology

➧ What is the biomedical model?

➧ What are the aims of health psychology?

➧ What is the future of health psychology?

➧ How is this book structured?

1