Topic
The relations between cognitive processes and physical and psychological health
Instructions
Several important factors that are related to health and well-being are the ways that people perceive and think about the world around them. Things such as cognitive styles, health beliefs and how they impact behavior are important to understand for us, especially when trying to alter or change behavior. Cognitions associated with optimism, pessimism, hostility, resilience, PTSD, perfectionism, depression and overall beliefs about health have all been shown to be related to physical and psychological health outcomes, the expression of disease and general well-being.
For this question discuss the importance of the relations between cognitive processes and physical and psychological health. Further, be sure to include some discussion on the way that our cognitive styles and negative emotions may impact our behaviors and behavior change. In addition, discuss cognitive processes play an important role in the process of behavior changes (e.g., self-efficacy, health beliefs). Choose a few of these constructs or ideas to discuss (e.g., optimism, perfectionistic style, behavior change and beliefs about change or any of the above ideas).
Be sure to discuss these topics in the context of specific research findings from the assigned readings and in-class discussion. In other words, if you talk about pessimism or self-efficacy, briefly discuss in a bit of detail some of the research findings and how these findings are related to behavior and overall physical and psychological health. Some of these ‘cognitions” are shown to act as protective and others are risk factors, so please discuss some of the research that demonstrates both of these ideas into your paper.
Answer preview
Cognition basically refers to the process of gaining knowledge and understanding through the thought procedures the said experiences and senses involved as well. Cognitive processes therefore make up all the processes that are involved in gathering knowledge via experience and the engagement of senses as well. All these processes usually have a very serious impact to the general physical and psychological health of any individual that is thereafter involved as such.
There has been big influence of implicit cognitive processes as to the social behavior which has been heavily dealt with in the most recent years.
Word count: 1467