PS30122: Clinical psychology
[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]
 Academic Year: | 2020/1 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Psychology |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary: | ES 80%, OT 20% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Requisites: |
Before taking this module you must ( take 2 MODULES FROM {PS20106, PS20108} OR take PS20167 ) AND take PS20107 AND ( take PS20109 OR take PS20168 ) AND take PS20124 AND take PS20125 AND take PS20150
This unit covers difficult and challenging topics. Staff strive to be sensitive but students are responsible for reviewing course descriptions prior to sign up and slides prior to lectures to ensure they will not find material unduly distressing. |
| Description: | Aims: The unit aims: * To allow students to identify and understand psychological approaches to the development, maintenance and treatment of a range of psychological disorders; * To show how psychological concepts are applied to mental health problems both as an extension of "normal" processes and as "psychopathology"; * To develop an awareness of the broader environmental context in which psychological disorder arises and has an impact; * To introduce the concept of 'evidence-based practice' in clinical psychology and the scientist-/practitioner model. Learning Outcomes: After completing the unit students will be able to: * Understand the link between research into psychopathology and the way in which these problems are formulated and managed. * Discuss current psychological approaches to the understanding and treatment of a variety of disorders, for example, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. * Critically evaluate the evidence in support of the application of cognitive-behavioural models to the understanding of mental health problems. * Evaluate a number of approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental health problems. * Understand the difference between transdiagnostic and diagnosis specific factors. * Demonstrate awareness of the broader potential influences on, and impact of, psychological disorder, particularly considering the family environment. Skills: On completion of this unit, students will be able to: * Recognise the inherent variability and diversity of psychological functioning and its significance. (T/F A) * Have detailed knowledge of several specialised areas and/or applications, some of which are at the cutting edge of research in the discipline. (T/F A) * Reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements about arguments in psychopathology. (T/F A) * Communicate ideas and research findings as applied to psychopathology and clinical psychology both effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means. (T/F A) * Solve problems by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions and evaluating outcomes. (T/F A) * Undertake self-directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives. (T/F A) * Take charge of their own learning, and can reflect and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses for the purposes of future learning. (T/F A) Content: The content of the unit reflects the key areas of Mental Health in which Clinical Psychologists are involved. Sessions will cover approaches to the understanding and treatment of a range of psychological disorders. Specific topics may include, for example, advanced cognitive-behavioural approaches to major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and eating disorders. The interplay between physical and mental health will be examined, for example, in relation to somatoform disorders, or by considering psychological approaches to management of long-term physical health conditions. Sessions will also highlight the importance of considering the broader context in relation to psychopathology, particularly with respect to the potential impact of having family member who has a significant psychological disorder. Throughout the unit, the theoretical and empirical foundations of different approaches to psychopathology will be considered, and sessions will provide an opportunity to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each. Students will learn about the applications of core psychological disciplines to clinical psychology, including but not confined to learning theory, cognitive psychology and social psychology. Unique characteristics of different disorders as well as shared cognitive behavioural factors will be considered. Although the focus will be on the cognitive behavioural approaches to psychopathology, biological factors will also be considered, particularly where there exists ttensions and/or synergy between psychological and biological accounts of mental health problems. New developments in the field will be highlighted so that the student gains an awareness of likely future innovations in the understanding and treatment of psychopathology. |
| Programme availability: |
PS30122 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Psychology
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