PYN028 Psychopathology and Treatment

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit is designed to provide you with an advanced understanding and critical awareness of the development of psychological disorders across the lifespan. The unit covers the phenomenology of psychopathology, starting with signs and symptoms, syndromes and personality functioning and then examines clinical reasoning, decision making and diagnostic systems utilised in mental health. The major domains of psychopathology are examined from a descriptive, historical, relational, and etiological perspective. Personality dimensions are examined as these influence the presentation of disorders.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically discuss the principles underlying diagnostic systems, particularly those included in ICD and DSM.
2. Conceptualise the psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors that influence psychological vulnerability and disorders in both children and adults.
3. Critically discuss the etiology, course and treatment, including possible pharmacological approaches, for the major psychological disorders covered in the DSM and ICD from the perspective of the major theoretical paradigms covered in the unit.
4. Apply your clinical reasoning skills to a range of mental health presentations and communicate your reasoning appropriately, using the language of psychopathology.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit draws upon dialogical principles and a problem-oriented methodology, involving active collaboration in a series of preparatory, in-class, and online activities. You are encouraged to participate actively in the learning process and contribute your knowledge and current learning in small group formats and lectorials. Learning relies upon an active self-directed interactive approach.

PY18 and PY19 course design is intentionally blended to purposefully integrate active face-to-face learning experiences with blended/online learning experiences across the course consistent with the course learning outcomes, cohort needs and discipline professional practices. Canvas is used within this unit to inform and enhance your learning. All unit material required for learning and completing assessment is included online through Canvas. Additional readings and resources such as web links and video material is also posted where appropriate to expand your ability to advance your knowledge in the unit's subject matter.

A key aim of the unit and course is to support (provisional) psychologists in developing their knowledge, skills and competencies so they are able to provide the best quality care for their clients. Underlying this aim, and in line with registration guidelines, is a focus on ensuring the public's safety.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive verbal and written formative feedback on your assessment in this unit. The feedback will come from both peers and the unit coordinator and will help you develop your knowledge and competencies effectively. .

Assessment

Overview

The assessment in this unit will consist of case study due mid-semester, and an exam at the end of the semester. Satisfactory completion of both assessment items is required to successfully pass the unit. 

Note that prior to release of marks, the unit coordinator undertakes a moderation process to ensure that criteria and standards have been applied consistently and fairly. Actively reading the feedback provided will enhance your learning success. Final grades are not confirmed until reviewed by the relevant Faculty Assessment Committee and approved by the Executive Dean at the completion of each teaching period.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Study Essay

In the role of a provisional psychologist, you will view a recording of a clinical interview with a person who presents with current distress. Through the diagnostic interview, you will be given information relating to history, presenting concerns, current impacts, and considerations of functioning. You are required to consider the information and develop a written case study for your supervisor based on your observations, assessment, and clinical reasoning.

This assessment uses a simulation of authentic clinical interview of a client with a common mental health presentation as the stimulus. The clinical skills needed to complete this assignments are core competencies required to work as a clinical psychologists in the workforce. This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Threshold Assessment:

To pass this unit, you must achieve a pass mark (greater than or equal to 50%) on both pieces of assessment. Therefore this is a threshold assessment. Students will have a chance to resubmit/resit once if they score within 10% of the passing grade (40-49%).

Assessment: End Semester Exam

The exam will include authentic stimuli (e.g. brief video or brief written case studies) for you to provide either short or longer written responses to. You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of psychopathology, and your clinical reasoning in the application of your knowledge, to diagnosing psychopathology across the lifespan. 

Threshold Assessment:

To pass this unit, you must achieve a pass mark (greater than or equal to 50%) on both pieces of assessment. Therefore this is a threshold assessment. Students will have a chance to resubmit/resit once if they score within 10% of the passing grade (40-49%).

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Registration (provisional or general) with the Psychology Board of Australia is required.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

APA Handbook of Psychopathology (2018)

Volume 1: Psychopathology: Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Adult Mental Disorders

Volume 2: Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

Edited by James N. Butcher, Jill M. Hooley, and Philip C. Kendall

Editor-in-Chief: James N. Butcher
Associate Editors: Jill M. Hooley and Philip C. Kendall

Robinson, D (2016) The Mental Status Exam Explained. (3rd ed.) Rapid Psychler Press.

Reference book(s)

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

Risk Assessment Statement

You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students.

Course Learning Outcomes

PY18 Master of Clinical Psychology

1. Apply advanced and specialised knowledge of Clinical Psychology to plan, assess, treat and manage clients with mental disorders and conditions, across the lifespan and from a range of backgrounds, including accessing, evaluating and utilising digital health information.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Case Study Essay
2. Plan, undertake and disseminate research in complex real world situations from diverse perspectives, demonstrating a high level of personal autonomy and accountability relevant to professional practice.
   Relates to: Case Study Essay
3. Promote and practice effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive professional relationships.
   Relates to: ULO4

PY19 Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)

1. Critically evaluate and apply theories of psychology and evidence-based knowledge and skills applicable to the professional practice of educational and developmental psychology, adhering to contemporary professional practice standards.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
2. Formulate approaches for engaging in critical thinking. decision making and reflective practice, drawing on cognitive, technical and creative skills, to identify and implement contemporary evidence-based intervention and assessment strategies in varied contexts that reflect culturally safe and responsive practice.
   Relates to: ULO1
3. Access, evaluate, and utilise relevant psychological information that informs and assists in intra- and inter-professional collaboration with a range of audiences and contexts that demonstrates creativity and initiative as an educational and developmental psychologist.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
4. Promote and practise effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive professional relationships across diverse stakeholders.
   Relates to: ULO4