Understanding Health Psychology Through the Works of Stephen King

Not just your regular textbook, this unique book uses popular culture as a teaching tool by taking the work of Stephen King, America’s top horror writer, to illustrate concepts that are essential to health psychology. This book uses his storytelling and character development to illustrate the science of how psychology “gets under the skin” to impact physical health. It examines the history of health psychology and the biopsychosocial perspective, the biology of stress and emotion, the science of behavior change, structural (social) influences on health, personality and sleep science, the role of psychology in disease, and the evidence of the mind‑body connection.

This book provides definitions of many health psychology concepts and uses the works of Stephen King to couch them in an easy‑to‑understand context. The intrinsic enjoyment of relating to a popular fiction writer is used to present the most recent research in the field, including work in the neuroscience of health psychology and the science of intervention. From explorations of the placebo and nocebo effects in Holly and Thinner, to the social ecological impacts on health in The Running Man and the power of adverse childhood experiences in The Body, this book provides a wide‑reaching overview of health psychology that can provide context for psychology students as well as student engagement opportunities.

Accompanied by supplementary teaching materials, this engaging reading is designed to motivate undergraduate health psychology students and educators. It is also intended for King’s Constant Readers – those who can’t get enough of the world of Stephen King.