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PS30101: Psychology of pain

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Psychology
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: ES 80%, OT 20%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Presentation (OT 20%)
  • Essay (ES 80%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites 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
Description: Aims:
To provide students with a fundamental understanding of the role that psychological factors play in pain and pain-related behaviours. To cover core topics such as definitions of pain, sensory pain pathways, treatment approaches, and psychological issues in pain.

Learning Outcomes:
To critically evaluate theoretical models of pain
To critically evaluate the physiological approach to pain
To critically evaluate the way in which psychological factors can affect the experience and perception pf pain
To critically evaluate the role that psychological interventions can have in pain management programmes.

Skills:
Recognises the inherent variability and diversity of psychological functioning and its significance. (T/F A)
Can demonstrate systematic knowledge and critical understanding of a range of influences on psychological functioning, how they are conceptualised across the core areas, and how they interrelate. The core knowledge domains within psychology include (i) research methods, (ii) biological psychology, (iii) cognitive psychology, (iv) individual differences, (v) developmental psychology and (vi) social psychology.
Has 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) Can reason scientifically, understand the role of evidence and make critical judgements about arguments in psychology. (T/F A)
Can adopt multiple perspectives and systematically analyse the relationships between them. (T/F A)
Can undertake self-directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives. (F)
Is able to take charge of their own learning, and can reflect and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses for the purposes of future learning. (F)

Content:
Definitions of pain
Theoretical models of pain modulation
Peripheral and spinal mechanisms in pain
Central pain pathways
Coping with pain
The role of emotion in pain
Sex, gender and pain
Pharmacological management of pain
Physical management of pain
Psychological management of pain.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PS30101 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Psychology

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.