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PS20150: Psychopathology

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Psychology
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: ES 33%, EX 67%
Assessment Detail:
  • essay (ES 33%)
  • examination (EX 67%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: 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.
Before taking this module you are advised to take PS10086 AND take PS10087
Learning Outcomes: After completing the unit students will be able to
* Critically examine a number of general issues, including concepts of abnormality, diagnostic systems frequently used to classify mental health disorders and their alternatives
* Critically examine psychological, biological and social factors that contribute to the development of disorders.
* Assess and evaluate a number of approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders including cognitive behaviour therapy and psychoanalysis as well as more biological treatments.
* Discuss the causes and treatment of a variety of disorders including schizophrenia, depression, sexual problems, anxiety and personality disorders.
* Compare and contrast the psychological, social, and biological perspectives on abnormal psychology.

Aims: To introduce the work of clinical psychologists in the main areas of Adult Mental Health and work with older adults.
To introduce the main models of counselling and psychotherapy used in clinical practice.

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. (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 communicate ideas and research findings both effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means. (T/F A)
Can undertake self-directed study and project management in order to meet desired objectives. (T/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. (T/F )

Content: The content of this unit consists of:
* Examining the various different perspective on the nature and treatment of abnormal psychology (eg The psychological perspective; biological explanations).
* Moving beyond the individual and examining the various social and cultural factors that impact on abnormal psychology
* Exploring the nature and process of therapy
* Understanding the nature of schizophrenia; anxiety disorders; mood disorders; trauma-related disorders; sexual disorders; personality disorders; neurological disorders.

Programme availability:

PS20150 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Psychology

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • 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.