Purpose: Completing this assignment will require you to investigate and prepare descriptive materials to assist others in understanding four important questions currently being debated in Medicine and Psychology. By explaining these concepts with their relatively uncertain causal pathways from both behavioral and biological perspectives, you will gain greater understanding and facility with the primary theoretical models of health and illness used today in Health Psychology.

Details: You have been asked to provide four brief guest lecture segments for a Health Psychology course. After you agree to do so, you are assigned the four seemingly disconnected topics listed below. It is specifically requested that you introduce students to the terminology and questions explored by health care providers (physical and psychological) in each of these areas. It is also requested that you provide a final slide that conveys to students what you find in common about these questions and how you see exploration of these stretching us beyond what we currently think we understand about the interface of mental/psychological factors and health/illness.

The prominent Health Psychology questions to address in the presentation are:

1. How do the mind and body interface to apparently influence each other?

The mind-body question dates from ancient philosopher's discussion of a dualism-monism debate. Plato exemplifies the dualistic perspective, arguing that "ideas" are pure form and are distinct from physical substance. Conversely, monistic philosophers of his time emphasized a physical basis for both body and mind, with mind and thought seen as information embodied in reorganized matter. The mind-body question as a "problem" is more recently traced to DescartesLinks to an external site. who wondered how an immaterial mind or soul could influence or interact with a physical, material body. He saw the body as a mechanical system (e.g. tiny fibers causing the brain's reaction to pull other tiny fibers to cause movement) while the mind was free of material constraint. This debate continues to the present, essentially asking how mental factors impact the material world of health, disease, and illness recovery. For your first topic, address a modern medical recasting of this debate. Specifically, from what you have read and seen so far in this course, what seems to be the current consensus regarding the influence of the mind on the body, with the body defined as physical functioning, illness, and recovery from illness?

1. What are sick-role behaviors?

Define the sick-role and describe several behaviors that could exemplify this pattern. How and why are these acquired, and what could be attempted in counseling to address and challenge these (if you see that as advisable or necessary)?

1. Why would patients pretend or cause themselves to be ill?

Define these three terms: Munchausen's syndrome, Malingering, & Factitious Disorder. From a behavioral theoretical perspective, consider how these conditions might develop and what could be motivating or reinforcing this type of patient presentation. (The required video for this learning module: Oh, Quit Faking it: Munchausen Syndrome https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRnDRgiZkJw.can help you get started on this question.)

1. Is the biopsychosocial model always the right answer?

Define and critique the biopsychosocial model. Does the evidence to date suggest that all mental and physical conditions or illnesses are ultimately best understood as the result of the contribution of nature and nurture influences to varying degrees? The two recommended readings can get you started on considering the limitations of the biopsychosocial model.