ABSTRACT
Route map of the chapter
This chapter introduces the reader to the relatively new area of health psychology. It begins by describing the topics and activities that make up health psychology, and some of the aims that health psychology has set itself in terms of understanding and changing health-related behaviour. The chapter is then divided into three broad areas, and gives the reader a flavour of how psychological factors play an important role in (1) predicting health-related behaviours, (2) understanding how people interact with health care professionals, and comply with their advice, and (3) understanding physical illness.
