Psychology 2036A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Natural Killer Cell, Herpesviridae, Immunocompetence

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2036A/B
• Professor: Doug Hazelwood

Document Summary

Psychoneuroimmunology (pni) - the study of the relationship between physiological states and the functioning of the immune system. Research has shown that immune system functioning is worse during exam times. Immunocompetence - the extent to which our immune system is working properly to fight of microorganisms that invade our bodies. (psycho) our psychology affects nervous system functioning (neuro) which affects our immunity to disease (immunology) Empirical proof that psychological states were directly linked to biological processes was missing. Pni research represents an invaluable bridge between social scientists and health care providers and increases the credibility of health psychology in the eyes of healthcare providers. How immune system research is measured in pni research. Immune system functioning is dependent on the system"s ability to produce or proliferate cells to do its work. Simple way of measuring immunocompetence is to count those cells (usually white blood cells) in the bloodstream. This cell counting is called enumerative assay and is common in pni.