PL4S148 - Perspectives on Psychological Disorders 31 Mar 2020 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL4S148
Module Title: Perspectives on Psychological Disorders
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: Deborah Lancastle
Module Team: Shakiela Davies, Phil Tyson, Kirsty Richards, Susan Williamson, Dan Bowers, Alexis Jones, Leigh Attwood
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 31 Mar 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To encourage students to synthesise and critically appraise different perspectives on psychological disorders.

Content Summary

The module will provide students with comprehensive knowledge and a variety of perspectives on a range of psychological disorders, e.g., developmental disorders, phobias, eating disorders, psychosis, mood disorders, sleep disorders, and personality disorders. Students will learn about a number of psychological disorders and a range of perspectives including those of researchers, clinicians, and service users. They will also study developmental perspectives on certain psychological disorders, such as how these manifest and are assessed and treated in children and the elderly. The clinical cycle of assessment, formulation, intervention, and evaluation will be presented and students will critically evaluate the utility of this model as a means of understanding and helping individuals with psychological disorders.

Formative assessment will also be included in this module to support students’ work towards their summative assignments.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 10
Independent Study 152
Directed Study 8
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 8
Groupwork 10
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically evaluate the utility of the clinical cycle as a model for understanding and helping individuals affected by psychological disorders.
LO2 Synthesise and appraise the substantive research relating to the assessment, formulation, and treatment of specific conditions.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 2 Students should answer 2 (from 6 possible) questions from the originally developed exam essay question paper (1500 words each) to be submitted via Blackboard). Please note that the content of the work submitted for assessment in this module should not overlap with any other assessed work in the MSc Clinical Psychology award (including the dissertation), nor with any work submitted for credit in any other university course. 0 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 With reference to a case study of their choice relating to any psychological disorder and the substantive research relating to that disorder, students will complete an essay discussing the clinical cycle, demonstrating a critical understanding of the utility of this model in understanding and treating that disorder (50%) 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 2 ✔ ✔
Essay 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Students will be provided with reading specific to topics and seminars in advance of sessions, where appropriate, and these must be read in order to participate in the sessions. Students will be referred to topic specific current journals and will be expected to engage in substantial independent reading related to the topics that are taught and to their chosen topic in their written assignment.Students will also be expected to select appropriate journal articles for student led seminars. Substantial research is required for all assessments.

Bennett, P. (2011). Abnormal Psychology (3rd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Ingram, R.E., & Price, J.M. (2010). Vulnerability to Psychopathology: Risk Across the Lifespan (2nd ed.). New York: Guildford Press.

Herbert, M. (2006) Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology: From Theory to Practice (3rd ed.). West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. (*e-book available via LRC)

Jones, T. & Tyson, P.J. (2014) Abnormal and Clinical Psychology. Harlow: Pearson.

Sturmey, P. (2008). Behavioural case formulation and intervention: A functional analytic approach. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.