BSc Psychology

This is an introductory unit to the study of individual differences in experiences of mental health difficulties and maintenance of wellbeing. Specifically, it will cover historical and contemporary perspectives on classification and treatment of different mental health difficulties and examine the interplay between social, medical, psychological and biological factors in the development and maintenance of mental health difficulties. This is a compulsory Level 4 course unit for the BSc (Hons) Psychology and the BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology programmes. It provides a foundation for further study in Level 5 (Year 2 course unit – Interventions for Mental Health) and Level 6 (Year 3 unit – Clinical Psychology).

* To inform the “Key Information Set”.  Defined as ‘any activity that a student has to attend or undertake at a fixed point and that has no flexibility for when it is undertaken, and where the student also has access to an available staff member’ (“Provision of Information about Higher Education: Outcomes of consultation and next steps” June 2011/18)

** ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System): There are 2 UK credits for every 1 ECT credit, in accordance with the Credit Framework (QAA). Therefore if a unit is worth 30 UK credits, this will equate to 15 ECT.

*** Notional hours of learning: The number of hours which it is expected that a learner (at a particular level) will spend, on average, to achieve the specified learning outcomes at that level. It is expected that there will be 10 hours of notional study associated with every 1 credit achieved. Therefore if a unit is worth 30 credits, this will equate to 300 notional study hours, in accordance with the Credit Framework (QAA).

• Introduction to fundamental questions about the nature and experience of mental health difficulties and wellbeing.  
• Critical evaluation of the utility and validity of the medical, biopsychosocial, and social disability models in the classification and treatment of mental health difficulties and maintenance of wellbeing.  
• Introduction to evidence-based treatment modalities and their therapeutic targets in the management of different mental health difficulties.  
• Understanding of historical and contemporary theories in clinical psychology and challenge students to use their knowledge to tackle social, environmental, economic, and health-related real-world problems.  
• Begin to develop key transferable skills, including independent, critical and analytical thinking, reflectivity, academic writing, science communication to lay audiences, and personal development. 

This unit will be taught via in-person lectures and workshops. Supplementary reading and resources, and a monitored discussion board, will be provided on Canvas. 

• Consider novel ways through which psychological, social, and biological factors may interact to influence mental health and wellbeing  
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the methods used in the assessment and classification of mental health difficulties.
• Describe key factors across the biopsychosocial spectrum involved in the development, maintenance and support for mental health difficulties
• Recognise the roles of diversity and individual differences in mental health and their significance in maintaining personal wellbeing.
• Understand the nature of the interaction between social, psychological, and biological factors in developing mental health difficulties and maintaining wellbeing
• Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of different treatment modalities (e.g., pharmacotherapies, psychotherapies) used to alleviate distress associated with mental health difficulties. 

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the historical and philosophical underpinnings of mental health difficulties.
• Critically evaluate the dominant medical, biopsychosocial, and social model of disability approaches to the classification and treatment of mental health difficulties.
• Critically evaluate theories and methodologies used for researching mental health and wellbeing
• Gain understanding of methodologies used to determine the effectiveness of different mental health interventions.
• Understand the importance of participatory research and the value of lived experience in informing psychological research and clinical practice. 

• Write an information leaflet about a mental health problem of choice, based on empirical knowledge and evidence, and using language appropriate for lay audiences. 

• Reflect on own learning and professional development. 
• Develop and present information, ideas, and arguments in written form with due regard to the target audience and discipline conventions.
• Communicate effectively with different audiences through written means. 

Written feedback will be provided via Turnitin within 4 weeks of assignment submission

• Cromby, Harper & Reavey (2013). Psychology, mental health and distress. London, UK: Palgrave MacMillan.  

Additional reading, video links, podcasts and contemporary expert-led articles will also be made available on Canvas.