Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

To introduce students to personality and mental health. To provide an understanding of the different levels at which personality can be measured and how extremes of behaviour are measured in a clinical context. To inform students about some of the most influential personality theories, and to give insight into how these can be applied to individuals. To provide an introduction to the diagnosis, aetiology and treatment of common psychological disorders from biological, psychological and social perspectives.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to personality, what it is and how we measure it and an introduction to psychopathology, what it is and how we classify it.

Classic personality theories will be covered (e.g., biological, behavioral, social, cognitive, psychodynamic, and humanistic approaches), in addition to how situations and environments may interact with personality (e.g., theories of Mishel and Bandura).

The mental health section of the course will cover the main types of disorders (e.g., anxiety, personality disorders, depression, psychosis) and introduce the main theoretical perspectives used to understand and treat these disorders

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of the module the students will be able to:

- explain what personality is and how it is measured

- describe common psychological disorders and explain how they are diagnosed

- explain the concept of psychopathology and how such behaviour is classified in a clinical context

- discuss how mental health issues may develop and how this may be accounted for by the classic personality
theories

- demonstrate insight into the issues in personality research and the implications surrounding the diagnosis of - psychological disorders

- discuss the factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of psychological disorders, and the
different approaches applied to treating them

- appreciate the interaction between genetic, physiological and environmental influences on human behaviour and
psychological disorders

- identify critical issues in personality and mental health formation from a variety of sources

Intended Skill Outcomes

- apply, evaluate, and critique the classic personality theories and contemporary personality research

- discuss the extent to which different clinical disorders can impact behaviours and normal activities

- demonstrate a basic understanding of the application of clinical treatments for mental health, evaluating and
critiquing the effectiveness of different methods of treatment

- gather appropriate information from a variety of sources

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture material will be used as the main way to impart basic knowledge and to stimulate interest in the topics. Lectures will also include interactive segments that will allow further discussion of concepts taught via the lecture material and give the opportunity for students to engage in course material through taking part in small scale psychological experiments, critiquing psychological theories, and discussing contemporary research. A series of case studies presented in the lectures will also allow students to gain important perspectives of individuals living with a psychological disorder. This will help students to appreciate the difficulties in interpreting and applying material to psychological disorders. It will also provide a springboard to discuss the aetiological and treatment approaches, grounded in real life examples. Use of face-to-face discussions and classroom polling throughout the course will further facilitates student interactions and provides ample opportunities to practice the type of multiple choice questions used in the final summative assignment (formative practice). During the final weeks of the modules, lectures will also include explicit assessment preparation, including example multiple choice questions modelled on exam questions, in additions to a list of topics relevant for revision. The private, independent study time will allow students to carry out in depth review of the information imparted through lecture materials, to consolidate their learning and generate their own views that can be shared with others during in-person workshops and followed up by independent reading.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination will assess material from all parts of the syllabus, ensuring that students have a good overall knowledge of the topics. Examination preparation work will take place within the interactive workshops.

If the module is failed students will resit failed assessments in the same format during the August resit period.

General Notes

N/A