Module Details

Module Code: PSYC6013
Title: Clinical Psychology
Long Title: Clinical Psychology
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2024/25 ( September 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3110 - Psychology
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module is designed to introduce the student to the concepts and theories of psychopathology - the study of mental ill health and abnormal behaviour. Drawing from research and literature the student will develop an awareness and understanding of how psychological dysfunction occurs and the treatments, therapies and interventions available for successfully managing psychological dysfunction in accordance with the CORU Standards of Proficiency for Social Care workers.


This module maps to the Standards of Proficiency for Social Care Workers from within the following domains:

Domain 1: Professional Autonomy and Accountability.

Domain 2: Communication, Collaborative Practice and Teamworking.

Domain 3: Safety and Quality.

Domain 5: Professional Knowledge and Skills.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate awareness of the criteria for designating behaviour as abnormal and their implications and explain the Diagnostic and Statistical Management (DSM) system for diagnosis and classification. (Domains: 2.9, 3.4, 3.6, 5.1, 5.4, 5.7)
LO2 Apply a social construction perspective to abnormal behaviour, including intellectual disability and mental health. (Domains: 1.8, 1.23, 5.1, 5.11)
LO3 For the DSM classification of disorders: identify the more important examples of disorders in each DSM category and describe their main diagnostic criteria (Domains: 2.1, 2.9, 2.17, 5.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7)
LO4 Discuss current best practice in the identification and management of challenging behaviour in the social care context. (Domains: 1.2, 2.1, 2.3 2.4, 2.17, 3.6, 5.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.10, 5.11)
LO5 Describe, in general, research findings on the origins of abnormal behaviour and describe the various therapeutic approaches. (Domains: 2.4, 3.6, 5.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.11)
LO6 Discuss the main psychological research findings and insights into the socio-psychological problems of substance abuse, child sexual abuse and suicide. (Domains: 1.8, 1.23, 2.17, 5.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.10, 5.11)
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Defining Behaviour as Abnormal
• Psychological, social and moral questions (Domains: 1.8, 1.23, 5.1) Evolution of definition (Domain: 5.1) General & psychological paradigms of abnormal behaviour (Domain: 5.1, 5.7) Criteria by which abnormal is differentiated from normal behaviour (Domain: 5.1, 5.7)
General Categorisation of Mental Disorder
• History, purpose and structure of the DSM (Domain: 5.1) DSM categories of disorder and examples (Domain: 3.4, 5.4) General diagnostic criteria for categorisation: what similarly categorised disorders share (Domain: 5.1, 5.4) Exploration of causes/origin of disorders (Domain: 5.1, 5.4).
Models of Psychotherapy
• Behaviourist, Cognitive, Humanistic and Psychodynamic, Group and Family: Description (Domains: 1.23, 2.1, 2.4, 5.1) Efficacy and theoretical origins of different models; suitability for differing disorders and circumstances. (Domains: 1.2, 2.3, 2.9, 2.17)
Intellectual Disability
• Classification (Domains: 2.17, 5.1) Causes: genetic/ chromosomal and environmental (Domain: 5.1, 5.4, 5.7) Prognosis and management (Domain: 5.1) Challenging behaviour and positive behaviour support management and interventions (Domains: 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 5.6, 5.10, 5.11) Role of Social Care worker and the role of inter disciplinary team in supporting people with intellectual disabilities. (Domains: 1.2, 1.8, 1.23, 2.3, 2.9, 3.6)
Disorders associated with infancy, childhood and adolescence
• Description of disorders (Domain: 5.1) Origins, prognosis (Domain: 5.1, 5.4, 5.7, 5.10) Treatment and interventions (Domains: 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 5.6) Role of Social Care worker and the role of inter disciplinary teams in supporting children and families (Domains: 1.2, 1.8, 1.23, 2.9, 2.17, 3.6, 5.11)
Sociopsychological Problems
• Substance abuse: definition, frequency, causes and correlations, consequences, prevention, therapy and management. (Domains: 1.2, 1.23, 5.1, 5.4, 5.7, 5.11) Child sexual abuse: definition, frequency, causes and correlates, consequences, prevention, therapy and management, including responsibility of mandated persons to report. (Domains: 1.2, 1.23, 5.1, 5.4, 5.7, 5.11) Suicide: definition, frequency, causes and correlates, consequences, prevention, therapy and management. (Domains: 1.2, 1.23, 5.1, 5.4, 5.7, 5.11)
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%
Special Regulation
Students are required to achieve a mark of 40 % or greater in each assessment component to pass the module.

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 2,4,5,6
Assessment Description
Independent research essay: Students will be given a choice of topics to research and evaluate and submit an assignment based on the assignment brief on Canvas. Essay word count is 1500 words (Domains: 1.2, 1.8, 1.23, 2.3, 2.4, 2.9, 2.17, 3.6, 5.1, 5.4, 5.7, 5.11).
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Multiple Choice Questions (Domains: 2.1, 3.4, 5.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.10, 5.11).
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Assessment Description
Examination on a range of topics covered in class. (Domains: 1.2, 1.8, 1.23, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.9, 2.17, 3.4, 3.6, 5.1, 5.4, 5.7, 5.11).
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures/discussions Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Student research and study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures/discussions Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Student research and study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Ronald J. Comer. (2015), Abnormal Psychology, 9th Ed. Worth, p.0, [ISBN: 146417170X].
  • Femi Oyebode. (2018), Sims' Symptoms in the Mind, 6th Ed. Elsevier Health Sciences, p.344, [ISBN: 0702074012].
  • Jerrold S. Meyer, Linda F. Quenzer. (2013), Psychopharmacology, 2nd Ed.. Sinauer, p.0, [ISBN: 087893510X].
  • Kenneth N. Levy,Kristen M. Kelly,William J. Ray. (2018), Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology, SAGE Publications, Incorporated, [ISBN: 9781506352701].
  • Alan Carr, Christine Linehan, Gary O'Reilly (Eds.). (2016), The Handbook of Intellectual Disability and Clinical Psychology Practice, Routledge, [ISBN: 9781138806368].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • James Kalat. (2015), Biological Psychology, 12th Ed. Wadsworth Publishing, London, [ISBN: 1305105400].
  • Patricia K. Kerig, Amanda Ludlow. (2014), Developmental Psychopathology with Dsm-5 Update, 6th Ed. McGraw-Hill Education UK Limited, p.960, [ISBN: 0077171756].
  • Stephen Joseph. (2001), Psychopathology and Therapeutic Approaches, Palgrave MacMillan, p.212, [ISBN: 0333761103].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Journal. Various Articles, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, [ISSN: 0021843].
  • Journal. Various Articles, Journal of Psychophysiology, [ISSN: 0269-8803].
  • Journal. Various, Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, [ISSN: 1053-0479].
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HSOCC_7 Bachelor of Arts in Social Care Work 2 Mandatory