Applying Social Psychology to Health

This week, the information presented in the readings and articles speak on the variety of factors that often influence the health behavior of people. Further explaining this, several theories and models (as they relate to shaping health outcomes) are introduced.  Finally, the concepts of medicalization and demedicalization were introduced. Please answer 1 of the the first 2 questions, and then do question 3.

1. The reading on Autism Spectrum Disorder and the DSM-5 by Barker and Galardi discusses the demedicalization of certain behaviors, that will no longer be considered under the autism diagnosis.  Additionally, the PEW data point to a demedicalization (sort of) of marijuana, in that society is more likely to accept it as a harmless drug. Can you think of any other behaviors or conditions that could be demedicalized?  If so, what would be some of the contested issues, and who would the stakeholders be? 

2. Please choose one model or theory from the three discussed in the ASP text and explain how it could be applied to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Map out how you would use the theory to promote health.

3. Choose a health behavior of your own and then apply one of the 3 theories from ASP text.  Each person try to do either a new health behavior or different theory.  For instance, I might choose drinking 8 glasses of water a day, and would then go through the 5 stages of change. Be original with your example.

Reading 1: https://www.clinicalcorrelations.org/2015/09/18/theres-an-app-for-that-fitness-apps-and-behavior-change-theory/

Reading 2: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/11/14/americans-support-marijuana-legalization/