PSYC 4850D - Psychological Aspects of Health and Wellbeing
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 31052,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
James E Juergensen
Professional Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Case Western Reserve University
Master’s in Experimental Psychology from Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor’s in Psychology from Youngstown State University
Associate Professor
Email: jejuergensen@ysu.edu
Office: Beeghly Hall 4104
Office Phone: 3305405432
Additional Contact Methods:
jejuergensen@ysu.edu
Preferred Contact Method: email
Communication Expectations:
I will do my best to respond to emails ASAP, within 48 hours
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Juergensen; Professor Juergensen
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Course Description
4850. Seminar. Major topics in psychology selected by the instructor not covered in other courses. Prereq.: C or better in PSYC 2617. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Spark | John Ratey | 2818440023439 |
| Required | The Power of Habit | Charles Duhigg | 2818440023422 |
| Required | Neural correlates of food addiction | Gearhardt, A. N., Yokum, S., Orr, P. T., Stice, E., Corbin, W. R., & Brownell, K. D. (2011). | |
| Required | Nutrition and mental health: A review of current knowledge about the impact of diet on mental health. | Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., Białek-Dratwa, A., Sobczyk, K., Grot, M., Kowalski, O., & Staśkiewicz, W. (2022). | |
| Required | Caffeine as a factor influencing the functioning of the human body—friend or foe? | Rodak, K., Kokot, I., & Kratz, E. M. (2021). | |
| Required | Unveiling the role of functional foods with emphasis on prebiotics and probiotics in human health: A review | Obayomi, O. V., Olaniran, A. F., & Owa, S. O. (2024). | |
| Required | Association between patterns of alcohol consumption (beverage type, frequency and consumption with food) and risk of adverse health outcomes: a prospective cohort study. | Jani, B. D., McQueenie, R., Nicholl, B. I., Field, R., Hanlon, P., Gallacher, K. I., ... & Lewsey, J. (2021). | |
| Required | Healthy lifestyle and cancer risk: modifiable risk factors to prevent cancer. | Marino, P., Mininni, M., Deiana, G., Marino, G., Divella, R., Bochicchio, I., ... & Sanseverino, F. (2024). | |
| Required | Cardio Vs Strength Training: Which is Better for Overall Health | Kumar, M. S., & Vinayakan, K. (2024). |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Course Schedule
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/11 | Gearhardt, A. N., Yokum, S., Orr, P. T., Stice, E., Corbin, W. R., & Brownell, K. D. (2011). Neural correlates of food addiction. Archives of general psychiatry, 68(8), 808-816. Spark Chapters 1 & 2 |
Exercise and Food Addiction | 3 Perusall Reading assignments and one video research presentation |
| 5/18 | Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., Białek-Dratwa, A., Sobczyk, K., Grot, M., Kowalski, O., & Staśkiewicz, W. (2022). Nutrition and mental health: A review of current knowledge about the impact of diet on mental health. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 943998. Spark Chapters 3 & 4 |
Exercise and how diet affects mental health | 3 Perusall Reading assignments and one peer review of another student’s video research presentation |
| 5/25 | Rodak, K., Kokot, I., & Kratz, E. M. (2021). Caffeine as a factor influencing the functioning of the human body—friend or foe?. Nutrients, 13(9), 3088. Spark Chapters 5 & 6 |
Exercise and Caffeine | 3 Perusall Reading assignments and one video research presentation |
| 6/1 | Obayomi, O. V., Olaniran, A. F., & Owa, S. O. (2024). Unveiling the role of functional foods with emphasis on prebiotics and probiotics in human health: A review. Journal of Functional Foods, 119, 106337. Spark Chapter 7 Power of Habit Chapter 1 |
Exercise, Habits, and Pre and Probiotics | 3 Perusall Reading assignments and one peer review of another student’s video research presentation |
| 6/8 | Jani, B. D., McQueenie, R., Nicholl, B. I., Field, R., Hanlon, P., Gallacher, K. I., ... & Lewsey, J. (2021). Association between patterns of alcohol consumption (beverage type, frequency and consumption with food) and risk of adverse health outcomes: a prospective cohort study. BMC medicine, 19(1), 8. Power of Habit Chapters 2 & 3 |
Habits and Alcohol | 3 Perusall Reading assignments and one video research presentation |
| 6/15 | Marino, P., Mininni, M., Deiana, G., Marino, G., Divella, R., Bochicchio, I., ... & Sanseverino, F. (2024). Healthy lifestyle and cancer risk: modifiable risk factors to prevent cancer. Nutrients, 16(6), 800. Power of Habit Chapters 5 & 7 |
Habits and how behaviors can alter cancer risk | 3 Perusall Reading assignments and one peer review of another student’s video research presentation |
| 6/22 | Kumar, M. S., & Vinayakan, K. (2024). Cardio Vs Strength Training: Which is Better for Overall Health. International Journal of Computational Research and Development, 9(2), 99-105. Power of Habit Chapters 8 & 9 |
Habits and different types of exercise | 3 Perusall Reading assignments and one video research presentation |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.