This module will focus on the role and contributions of psychological research to understanding experiences of key clinical mental health conditions, focusing on scientific approaches to understanding the spectrum of mental health experiences. The module will also consider the importance of clinical psychological research for developing adequately targeted evidence-based psychological therapies which aim to improve functioning for individuals living with severe mental health conditions. Students taking this module will be able to critically evaluate the contributions of psychological science-based research to understanding the experience of a number of common mental health conditions

Summative Assessment 1: A LITERATURE REVIEW that delves into the underpinning theories that underpin current understanding of mental health related experiences covered in this module. This review will focus on either one specific category of disorder (e.g., ‘trauma and stress responses’, ‘depressive disorders’) or one specific diagnosis (e.g., ‘dysthymia’) or a relevant debate related to these categories (e.g., the traditional model of personality disorder versus the alternative model). Learners will unpack the literature and apply a critical understanding of this literature to reach their own conclusions. Students can use either a systematic or unsystematic approach; and students will review the quality of the articles being assessed. (5,000 words) (Learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3), (Weighting 100%).

This module will include a combination of face-to-face taught sessions, journal club and visiting speaker seminars, as well as online learning via the Virtual Learning Environment and Independent Study focused on critically appraising published journal articles of relevant to the module content.

The journal clubs will be student-led and will focus on the evaluation and critical appraisal of current published research in clinical psychological science. The Visiting Speaker Series will include talks from a range of disciplines, including clinical and health psychology, and will allow students to hear contemporary research findings and developments from experts in the field.

Reading on this module will primarily be focused on reading published articles from high-impact, international journals (e.g. Clinical Psychology Review, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, British Journal of Psychology). Specific readings will be communicated via the module’s VLE.

General recommended core texts include:

Bentall, R (2003). Madness Explained: Psychosis and Human Nature. Penguin: London.

Craighead, W. E.; Craighead, L. W., & Miklowitz, D. J. (2013). Psychopathology: History, Diagnosis, and Empirical Foundations. John Wiley & Sons.

No additional resources required

Students will need to be registered on the MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of clinical psychological science in explaining the role of biopsychosocial factors in mental health syndromes (Assessment 1) Knowledge and Understanding
Application
Learning

2. Demonstrate a critical awareness and evaluation of current research in clinical psychological science (Assessments 1)
Analysis
Enquiry
Knowledge and Understanding

3. Develop the ability to critically appraise clinical research and literature in order to develop an understanding of clinical experiences, and to frame that experience in a scientist-practitioner model. (Assessment 1). Enquiry, Analysis, Problem-Solving, Application. Develop a research hypothesis and plan new research programmes in the format of a research proposal through their systematic understanding and critical appraisal of the existing literature.
Enquiry
Application
Problem-Solving

This module will focus on the role and contributions of psychological research to understanding experiences of key clinical mental health conditions, focusing on scientific approaches to understanding the spectrum of mental health experiences. The module will also consider the importance of clinical psychological research for developing adequately targeted evidence-based psychological therapies which aim to improve functioning for individuals living with severe mental health conditions. You will be able to critically evaluate the contributions of psychological science-based research to understanding the experience of a number of common mental health conditions.