Run by School of Psychology

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Judith Roberts

This module will outline the main thinking about stress in terms of nature and definitions, with the primary focus on the transactional model of stress and coping. Students will learn that stress can be positive and negative, that it can be acute and chronic, that how it changes across the lifespan. An emphasis will be placed on the biological basis of our stress response and the impact on health and wellbeing. Students will also investigate behavioural responses to stressful demands placed upon us, and how we cope and why. The role of personality and the importance of social relationships will be considered. There will be a focus on our interpretation of events and how this can develop into an anxiety disorder. By the end of the module, students should understand the complexities of the relationship between stress, anxiety and health.

Topics include stress and anxiety disorders, resilience and coping, social relationships and stress, stress and personality, stress as a physiological response, stress add health outcomes, stress across the lifespan, psychological interventions, and prevention and wellbeing.

excellent

A- to A** - The work displays comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of stress, coping theories and stress appraisal, 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

threshold

D- to C+ - The work only demonstrates knowledge of key areas/principles of stress, coping theories and stress appraisal - 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 stress, coping theories and stress appraisal 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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of stress and coping as a transaction between the individual and environment.

2. Critically evaluate theories of acute and chronic stress and demonstrate an understanding of the links between stress and illness (physical or psychological).

3. Critically evaluate and synthesise coping theories, definitions and understand the distinction between coping styles and coping strategies.

4. Appreciate the nature and function of social support and how it influences stress appraisal, coping response and illness outcomes.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the link between interpretation and emotional expression and its influence on stress appraisal, coping response and illness outcomes.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
Written assignment, including essay	Written Assignment	Students will be given a choice of written tasks that will include an essay question, developing a handbook/guide for a specific population, or blog.	50.00
EXAM	Exam	This will be held during the summer exam period. The exam will consist of 4 short answer questions (approx 500 words each).	50.00

		Hours
Lecture	10 x 2 hour lectures (1 week will be reading week and 1 will be revision week).	20
Private study	This will cover weekly reading time, preparing and taking assessments.	180

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

• Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
• Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
• Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
• Communicate psychological concepts effectively in oral form.
• Retrieve and organise information effectively.
• Handle primary source material critically.
• Use effectively personal planning and project management skills.
• Problem-solve by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions, making critical judgements, and evaluating outcomes.

Resource implications for students

Students may need to print course content from blackboard.

Reading list

Talis list will be set up when the module has been validated.

Lazarus, R. S. (1993). From psychological stress to the emotions: a history of changing outlooks. Annual Review of Psychology, 44, 1-21.

Morrison, V. & Bennett, P. (2009). An Introduction to Health Psychology, 2nd addition. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.

Graham, J. E., Christian, L. M. & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2006). Stress, age and immune functions: towards a life-span approach. Journal of Behavioural Medicine, 29, 389-400.

Adler, N. E. & Mathews, K. A. (1994). Health psychology: why do some people get sick and some stay well? Annual Review of Psychology, 45, 229-259.

Rice, P. L. (1992). Stress and Health. California: Brooks/Cole.

Snyder, C. & Lopez, S. J. (2005), Handbook of Positive Psychology. USA: Oxford University Press.

Semner, N. K. (2006). Personality, stress and coping. In M. E. Vollrath (eds.). Handbook of Personality and Health. London: John Wiley. (pp.73-113).

Tennen, H., Affleck, G., Armeli, S et al. (2000). A daily process approach to coping: linking theory, research and practice. American Psychologist, 55, 620-625.

Compulsory in courses:

• C880: BSC Psych with Cl & Hlth Psych year 3 (BSC/PHS)
• C88B: BSc Psychology w Clin & Health Psy (4yr with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/PHS1)
• 8X44: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology (Int Exp) year 4 (BSC/PHSIE)
• C88P: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psy with Placement Yr year 4 (BSC/PHSP)
• C808: MSci Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology year 3 (MSCI/PHS)

Optional in courses:

• X320: BA Astudiaethau Plentyndod ac Ieuenctid a Seicoleg year 3 (BA/APIS)
• MC98: BA Criminology/Psychology year 3 (BA/CRP)
• X319: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Psychology year 3 (BA/CYP)
• CQ83: BA English Language & Psychology year 3 (BA/ELPSY)
• R181: BA French with Psychology (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/FPIE)
• R1C8: BA French with Psychology year 3 (BA/FPSY)
• R2C8: BA German with Psychology year 3 (BA/GPSY)
• Q1C8: BA Linguistics and Psychology year 3 (BA/LP)
• CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 3 (BA/PS)
• CL84: BA Social Policy/Psychology year 3 (BA/SPP)
• CL85: BA Social Policy & Psychology with International Experience year 3 (BA/SPPIE)
• C883: BSc Clinical Sports Science year 3 (BSC/CLSPS)
• C804: BSc Psychology (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/PIE)
• C800: BSC Psychology year 3 (BSC/PS)
• C81B: BSc Psychology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BSC/PS1)
• C80F: BSc Psychology year 3 (BSC/PSF)
• C80P: BSc Psychology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/PSP)
• C81P: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology with Placement Year year 3 (BSC/PSYFPP)
• C801: BSC Psychol w Neuropsychol year 3 (BSC/PSYN)
• C83B: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology (4yr with Incorp Found) year 3 (BSC/PSYN1)
• C809: BSc Psychology with Neuropsy (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/PSYNIE)
• C84P: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/PSYNP)
• C680: BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology year 3 (BSC/SEXP)
• M1C8: LLB Law with Psychology year 3 (LLB/LPSY)
• C810: MSci Psychology with International Experience year 3 (MSCI/PIE)
• C807: MSci Psychology year 3 (MSCI/PS)