This book is a comprehensive introduction to the field of medical psychology, which is concerned with the psychological aspects of physical illness and medical treatment. It covers the major theoretical and clinical issues in medical psychology, including the relationship between mind and body, the psychological factors that influence health and illness, and the use of psychological interventions in medical settings. It is written in a style that is accessible to all levels of readership, from the student to the professional. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.