Overview

This module will introduce concepts of physical and mental health and describe biopsychosocial approaches to health behaviour and mental disorders. The key topics taught in lectures will include: for Health Psychology: definitions of health, models of health behaviour, and stress and illness. Clinical psychology lectures will include: the practice of clinical psychology and the classification of Mental Health Disorders, psychological assessment and intervention, Schizophrenia and Substance Use Disorders. The module provides students with opportunities to consider mental and physical health constructs, the development and diagnosis of mental and physical illness as well as inequality within diagnosis and treatment for such illnesses.

Module content will include; An introduction to the module/topic Clinical Psychology Paradigms in Clinical Psychology Schizophrenia Substance Use Disorders Health Psychology Models of Health Psychology Stress, Illness, and Coping Psychological Assessment and Intervention

Assessment Strategy

Threshold -D- to C+- The work only demonstrates knowledge of the psychological and physical impact of stress and distress (including knowledge of relevant theory/paradigms) - There is limited evidence of originality or of background study - The work contains some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure Arguments are presented but they lack coherence - The work contains factual errors with little evidence of problem solving - The are weaknesses in the standard of presentation and its accuracy

Good -B- to B+ - The work displays a sound knowledge of of the psychological and physical impact of stress and distress (including knowledge of relevant theory/paradigms) but with some limitations - There is evidence of background study - The work has a defined and logical structure but with some weaknesses in the way in the arguments are presented - There is some original interpretation of topics - The work is presented carefully with accurate information and few factual errors

Excellent -A- to A** - The work displays comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of the psychological and physical impact of stress and distress (including knowledge of relevant theory/paradigms) reflecting extensive background study - The work is highly focussed, well structured, logically presented and with defended arguments - The work considers the topics in an original way - The work is presented to a high standard with accurate information and no factual errors

Learning Outcomes

• Comprehend the major issues involved in assessing mental disorders

• Demonstrate an understanding of the major paradigms in abnormal psychology

• Demonstrate knowledge of the DSM classification system of mental disorders

• Describe criteria by which abnormality is defined

• Describe major models of health behaviour change.

• Describe the concept of health.

• Describe the concept of stress and a key psychological theory of stress

• Outline the main psychosocial factors that influence health behaviours and health-risk behaviours