MSc Forensic Psychology and Mental Health / Course details

This unit on personality disorder examines personality disorder, its relationship to ‘normal’ personality, and why it is that personality disorder can be associated with risk of harm.  This unit will begin with an overview of the personality and personality disorder literature, key concepts and classification systems.  The different disorders are illustrated with case studies and video recordings of clinical interviews with clients presenting with the different conditions.  There will then be an exploration of theories associated with the development of personality disorder. The nature and development of Psychopathy and its associated treatment and management needs are also explored together with the relationship of psychopathy to crime. The unit will conclude with a review of knowledge and practice of interventions for the treatment.

The unit aims to enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of personality disorder and the relationship between personality disorder, offending behaviour and risk management. The unit also aims to enable you to further develop your skills in critically appraising the literature on personality disorder and to develop your capacity for original thinking. Finally, the unit will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the practical implications of working with people with personality disorder who are at risk of harming themselves and/or others.

By the end of the unit you should be able to:

• Develop comprehensive understanding of how personality disorder might present and the implications on psychological assessment approaches;
• Critically analyse literature and psychological theories of personality disorder and psychopathy and the relationship with offending behaviour;
• Develop comprehensive understanding of current available psychological treatment approaches;
• Critically evaluate the evidence base underpinning the current available psychological treatments. 
• Develop psychological formulations of personality disorder from case vignettes;
• Demonstrate originality and independence in solving problems, planning and implementing tasks;
• Employ effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, respectful and non-discriminatory language in relation to forensic clients/ settings;
• Work co-operatively and effectively with peers in furthering own/others understanding.

The teaching and learning methods involve a blend of both online asynchronous learning and face to face lectures and workshops. Teaching will be delivered predominantly in an interactive lecture format.  Online components will require you to engage with online materials developed for the purpose of preparation for teaching, including video clips, interactive demonstrations and guided activities. Directed study components comprise additional exercises and specified reading related to each session. The guided learning will require you to access interactive e-resources to further build knowledge of personality disorder and ways of working with presenting issues. Canvas will be used to facilitate online discussion of material and to present resources such as resources for each session and access to online reading lists.

• Analysis of observation of client from video role play and writtern report (100%)

Student representation plays a vital and important part in helping the programme maintain and improve the quality of its provision. Student representatives liaise between staff and students on matters of concern to either side, provide two-way feedback on the course and on teaching quality, and promote active student involvement in course development. Student representatives are also invited to speak confidentially to the external examiner at the end of the academic year, and to participate in end-of-year course review meetings. Representatives are asked to feedback information from these meetings to the other students.In addition, at the end of each semester students are asked to complete an online evaluation questionnaire for each course unit they have taken.  At the end of the course, they complete a general evaluation for their overall programme of study. This anonymous feedback is circulated to unit leaders. This helps to ensure quality assurance.  Formative assessment and feedback to students is a key feature of the on-line learning materials for this unit. Students will be required to engage in a wide range of interactive exercises to enhance their learning and test their developing knowledge and skills.

You will be expected to supplement your reading, and source your own relevant articles as demonstrated by your blackboard learning. Additional contemporary publications will be discussed during the unit.

• Bateman, A. & Fonagy, P.  (2016): Mentalization-based treatment for personality disorders: A practical guide. Oxford University Press.
• Livesley, J. & Larstone, R. (2018). Handbook of personality disorders: theory, research, and treatment. The Guilford Press.
• Moreira, D. S., Oliveira, S., Ribeiro, F. N., Barbosa, F., Fávero, M., & Gomes, V. (2020). Relationship between adverse childhood experiences and psychopathy: A systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 53, 101452–14.  
• Reising,  K., Farrington, D. P., Ttofi, M. M., Piquero, A. R., & Coid, J. W. (2019). Childhood risk factors for personality disorder symptoms related to violence. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 49, 101315–. Doi: 10.1016/j.avb.2019.07.010.
• Ribeiro da Silva D., Vagos, P., & Rijo, D. (2019) An evolutionary model to conceptualize psychopathic traits across community and forensic male youth. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 63(4):574-596.
• Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2003). Schema therapy: A practitioner’s guide. Guilford Press.
   

WEB RESOURCES  

• HM Prison and Probation Service & NHS England (2020). Practitioner's Guide: Working with People in the Criminal Justice System Showing Personality Difficulties. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/869843/6.5151_HMPPS_Working_with_Offenders_with_Personality_Disorder_v17_WEB.pdf