PSY408 Final Term Questions Answers by Anmol Mehar

Psy408 Health Psychology Questions Answers

Q1. How to manage epileptic behavior if someone has a seizure in front of you

Stay calm and ensure the person is safe. Move any dangerous objects away from them. Do not restrain their movements. Place them on their side to keep airway clear. Time the seizure; most last 1–3 minutes. After seizure: stay with them, speak calmly, and seek medical help if necessary.

Q2. Three out of four pain behaviors

Pain behaviors are observable actions indicating pain. Three main behaviors:

1. Verbal complaints – complaining, groaning, or moaning.
2. Facial expressions – grimacing or frowning.
3. Protective behaviors – limping, avoiding movement, or guarding the painful area. (Fourth: Activity reduction, like decreased participation in normal tasks.)

Q3. Three types of health behaviors

Health behaviors are actions that promote or maintain health. Three types:

1. Preventive behaviors – e.g., vaccination, regular check-ups, handwashing.
2. Illness behaviors – recognizing symptoms and seeking medical care.
3. Sick-role behaviors – following treatment, resting, and adhering to doctor’s advice.

Q4. Risk factors of cancer

Cancer risk factors include:

Lifestyle factors – smoking, alcohol, unhealthy diet. Environmental factors – radiation, pollution, chemical exposure. Genetic factors – family history or inherited mutations. Psychosocial factors – stress, poor coping, lack of social support.

Q5. Note on modeling behavior in learning

Modeling is learning by observing others. Individuals imitate behaviors demonstrated by role models. In health psychology, modeling influences adoption of healthy habits (e.g., exercising, diet, hand hygiene). Effective models are similar, competent, and rewarded for behavior. Helps in behavioral interventions and patient education.

Q6. Role of reinforcement in health behavior

Reinforcement strengthens desired behavior. Positive reinforcement: Rewarding healthy behavior (praise, incentives). Negative reinforcement: Removing an unpleasant stimulus when healthy behavior occurs (e.g., reduced symptoms after medication adherence). Reinforcement helps habit formation and maintenance of health behaviors. Used in behavioral therapy and health interventions.

Q7. Types of problems in adjustment (in chronic illness)

Chronic illness can create adjustment problems:

1. Emotional problems: anxiety, depression, fear of death.
2. Social problems: isolation, family conflicts, role changes.
3. Behavioral problems: non-adherence to treatment, poor self-care.
4. Cognitive problems: difficulty concentrating, negative thoughts about illness.

Interventions include counseling, support groups, coping strategies.

Q8. Two types of behavioral coping in stress

Behavioral coping strategies help manage stress through actions. Two main types:

1. Problem-focused coping – Taking direct action to solve the stressor (e.g., creating a study schedule, seeking medical help).
2. Emotion-focused coping – Actions to manage emotional response (e.g., exercising, relaxation techniques, social support). Purpose: Both reduce stress effects and improve adaptation.

Q9. Effects of weight control

Maintaining healthy weight has physical, psychological, and social benefits:

Physical: Reduces risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and joint problems. Psychological: Improves self-esteem, body image, and reduces depression/anxiety. Social: Better social interactions and confidence. Overall: Supports long-term health and improves quality of life.

Q10. Benign tumors & Malignant tumors

Benign tumors:

Non-cancerous and do not spread to other parts. Grow slowly and have well-defined borders. Usually not life-threatening, but may cause problems if they press on organs.

Malignant tumors:

Cancerous and can invade nearby tissues and metastasize. Grow rapidly and have irregular borders. Can be life-threatening and require aggressive treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation).

Q11. How to do time management

Effective time management reduces stress and improves productivity:

1. Set priorities – focus on important and urgent tasks first.
2. Make a schedule – allocate specific time slots for tasks.
3. Set realistic goals – break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
4. Avoid procrastination – stay disciplined and minimize distractions.
5. Review and adjust – check progress and revise plans if needed. Result: Better control over time, less stress, improved performance.

Q12. Three cognitive techniques to measure pain

1. Self-report questionnaires – Patients rate their pain intensity or quality using standardized forms.
2. Pain diaries – Individuals record daily pain experiences, triggers, and severity.
3. Verbal rating scales – Using descriptive words (mild, moderate, severe) to express pain.

Purpose: Cognitive techniques capture subjective perception of pain and help guide treatment.

Q13. Three levels of prevention

1. Primary prevention – Prevents disease before it occurs (e.g., vaccination, healthy diet, exercise).
2. Secondary prevention – Early detection and treatment of disease (e.g., screening tests, blood pressure monitoring).
3. Tertiary prevention – Reduces complications and improves quality of life after disease onset (e.g., rehabilitation, therapy).

Q14. Transmission routes of HIV

HIV spreads through:

1. Sexual contact – Unprotected sex with an infected partner.
2. Blood – Sharing needles, transfusions with infected blood.
3. Mother-to-child – During pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Prevention: Safe sex, sterile needles, and mother treatment programs.