ASSIGNMENT #5               Due: Monday, 3/6/00

Topic: Chronic Illness: Pain and Cardiovascular Disease

Answer each of the following questions in a short paragraph (no more than 50-75 words each, for a total of 2-3 pages double-spaced).  The (*) notation after a question means that it relates to material presented only or mostly in class.

1. What appears to happen in the brain when we experience pain?

2. Explain how Beecher’s studies of soldiers are significant to our understanding of pain as a psychological phenomenon.

3. Loeser has said that pain has four components, or levels; what are they, and why is this important?

4. Summarize the gate control theory of pain.

5. Briefly summarize one psychosocial method for treating pain and the reasoning about why it might help. (look back at B&F, Chapter 8)

6. Briefly distinguish a myocardial infarction from a stroke.

7. Why are psychologists so concerned with distinguishing modifiable from non-modifiable risk factors for CVD?

8. Explain how the Type A issue has evolved from a broadly defined personality to a behavior pattern to specific emotions and finally to the expression/suppression of specific emotions.

9. Most of us know at least something about the major modifiable risk factors for CVD, yet many of us do little to change behavior or lifestyle; how do psychologists explain this?

10. Briefly summarize the methods for lowering serum cholesterol and the risks and benefits of doing this.

Copyright ©1998 Beverly J. Volicer and Steven F. Tello, UMass Lowell.  You may freely edit these pages  for use in a non-profit, educational setting.  Please include this copyright notice on all pages.