Psychology of Mental Health

Course details

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

No formal qualifications are required, however, all modules are taught at university level and students should be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

Although this module is open to all, students will benefit from completing the introductory module Foundations in Modern Psychology. Students who are new to psychology should ensure that they have undertaken appropriate preparatory reading before the start of the course as detailed below.

AIMS

To evaluate different approaches to psychopathology and the forms of treatment.

OBJECTIVES

• Review the nature and causes of the major forms of mental disorder.

• Examine the main forms of treatment and their effectiveness.

• Give an overview of the research methods used within this area of psychology, including their relative advantages and disadvantages.

• Highlight the ethical issues involved when conducting research [with particular reference to harm] and the issues that arise when trying to generalise results (for example across cultures).

• Support students to take part in the assessment process.

• Build students' confidence in presenting their own ideas and in critical thinking.

• Support and develop students' study skills, including note taking and essay writing.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Discuss issues of description and diagnosis.

• Describe and comment on the nature and causation of mental disorders.

• Evaluate different approaches to treatment for their effectiveness.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the development of ideas within this field, and of contemporary approaches and issues.

• Recognise a range of research methodologies that might be appropriate to the study of psychology (identifying strengths and weaknesses of core methodologies, including qualitative as well as quantitative approaches).

• Identify the ethical issues when conducting research in this area (with particular consideration of harm).

• Demonstrate an appropriate awareness of cultural considerations in the evaluation of theory and research.

• Illustrate the practical applications of research findings.

• Think critically about the subjects covered.

• Present your own ideas about issues addressed on the course.

• Discuss and implement a range of strategies to support your learning.

• Successfully plan and write essays or other assignments which have been set to support your learning on this course.

CONTENT

Description and diagnosis

Historical and philosophical aspects. What is 'normal' and what is 'abnormal'? This part of the course looks at concepts of mental health and models of abnormality. It will also discuss the assessment and diagnosis of different conditions and ask how reliable such diagnoses are.

Nature and causation of mental disorders

Medical and psychological considerations. Schizophrenia, mood disorders, phobias, obsessions and compulsions will be examined, as will disorders more usually associated with childhood such as autism and eating disorders.

Approaches to treatment

Different approaches will be evaluated for their effectiveness, including drugs and physical treatments, behavioural and cognitive therapies, and psychoanalysis and other psychotherapies.

Social policy and mental health

Legal and ethical issues. The relationship between mental disorders and the law will be discussed, as well as community care and the rights of patients.