PL2S140 - Psychological Disorders 01 Sep 2019 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL2S140
Module Title: Psychological Disorders
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: Shakiela Davies
Module Team: Leigh Webber, Charlotte Reynolds, Amy Lewis, Dawn Latham, N Michael, Gillian Millin, Gemma Trodd
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To encourage critical evaluation of different aspects of Psychological Disorders including diagnosis, classification and intervention.

Content Summary

The module will introduce students to the concept of abnormality. It will consider a variety of psychological disorders (e.g. depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders); the classification system used for diagnosis as well as therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Systematic de-sensitisation; together with their strengths and limitations as treatments.

Throughout this module, a focus will be given to ethical and professional practice issues; particularly as these pertain to work with other professionals in the mental health field and potential service users.  This will take the form of mock multidisciplinary team meetings, role plays and debates which will form a crucial part of module delivery.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Seminar 14
Independent Study 90
Directed Study 52
Formative Assessment - Independent 10
Active/Simulation Based 10
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically evaluate the classification system used for diagnosis with reference to the main psychological disorders.
LO2 Critically assess therapeutic interventions used for the treatment of psychological disorders.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 Presentation of a case with reference to diagnosis, classification and treatment 5 N/A 40 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A case study critically assessing diagnostic systems and therapeutic interventions 0 3000 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1
Case study 1

Reading List

Barlow, D and Durand, M. (2015). Abnormal Psychology; An integrative Approach (7th ed.), Cengage Learning.

Brown T.A., Barlow, D.H. (2017) Casebook in Abnormal Psychology, (5th ed.), Cengage Learning.

Kring, A., Johnson, S., Davison, G.C. and Neale, J.M. (2017) 13th Ed, Abnormal Psychology, John Wiley & Sons.

Plus Journals relevant to the topic including:

British Journal of Clinical Psychology

The Journal of Abnormal Psychology