Psychology: Development and Health Psychology

Almost all children hate smoking, yet about a quarter of young adults take up smoking. What changed in-between childhood and adulthood and what can we do to prevent this behaviour? Similar questions can be asked for problematic use of drugs, or unprotected sex. Further, overweight and obesity, even in young children, is one of the most important health problems in the western world with an enormous socio-economic impact. What can we do about that?

This Master's program will address four of the most important health problems in our society today: Sex and sexually transmitted diseases, Obesity, Addiction and Stress. These are approached with elements of social, developmental, clinical and experimental psychology combined with applications to health issues that are currently on the top of the list in our society. You will learn to systematically analyze health problems, select, adapt or design and execute appropriate interventions and analyze their effectiveness.