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Advances in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience

Module description

In this module you will explore the cutting edge of research in Clinical Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology. Across a range of topics, you will obtain a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical approaches to understanding brain and behaviour relationships. You will learn how to use techniques developed for understanding brain functions, and how these may be used in the treatment of clinical populations to improve outcomes or by researchers working to understand clinical populations and therapeutic outcomes – both in neurological and mental health groups.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to develop a critical awareness of the broad range of methods available in clinical psychology and neuropsychology, using the pool of expertise at our disposal among the department’s academic staff and associates. The module will enable you to sample and learn from a wide range of examples of historical and current research within these research areas. It aims to develop expertise in critical analysis and research design, and provide experience in the communication of ideas in a concise and engaging manner.

Through attending the weekly seminars, discussion and completing the assessments, you will further develop the following academic and professional skills:

• problem solving (linking theory to practice, developing your own ideas with confidence, showing research and policy awareness, being able to respond to novel and unfamiliar problems)
• time management (managing time effectively individually and within a group)
• collaboration (respecting the views and values of others, taking initiative and leading others, supporting others in their work, maintaining group cohesiveness and purpose)
• audience awareness (presenting ideas effectively, informing others of your views effectively, responding positively to questions to develop ideas).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe extensively methods used in both research and applied settings in the context of clinical populations, discuss the basic uses of each method and some of its developments, clarify the assumptions underlying each method, explain the major limitations or uncertainties of the method, and recall some illustrative applications
• 2. Critically evaluate research in clinical psychology and neuropsychology
• 3. Discuss at an advanced level an illustrative range of research questions being addressed in clinical psychology and neuropsychology
• 4. Give detailed examples of applications of clinical psychology and neuropsychology theory to practical issues of assessment and treatment in major neurological and psychological conditions
• 5. Illustrate at an advanced level the application of one methodology (or group of methodologies) to a particular research issue within clinical psychology/neuropsychology, in each case acquired through reading the research literature and completing an essay

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of a range of methodologies
• 7. Adequately relate specific research questions to appropriate methodology
• 8. Command a variety of research skills to address research questions
• 9. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively, fluently and professionally by written, graphic and oral means

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. Engage in advanced critical analysis of research design
• 11. Assimilate a wide array of information for problem solving, utilise theory to guide diagnostic processes to arrive at solutions, and develop new questions that may help guide theoretical developments
• 12. Debate arguments presented in class in open discussion
• 13. Discuss research with instructors and peers

Syllabus plan

The following is an indicative syllabus. Details and running order may vary as a result of staff availability. A more detailed syllabus will be provided at the beginning of term.

• Outline of the scope and coverage of methods used in clinical psychology and neuropsychology
• Introduction to functional anatomy
• Single case methodology in neuropsychology
• Assessment in neuropsychology: covering general ability, memory, executive function and attention with reference to traumatic brain injury and dementia
• Treatment interventions for a range of disorders e.g. mood disorders, addiction, traumatic brain injury

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The module mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit further assessments based on which assessments were failed originally. The module mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Parsonage M. Traumatic Brain Injury and Offending: An Economic Analysis. Centre for Mental Health; 2016.
• Moffitt TE, Caspi A, Harrington H, Milne BJ. Males on the life-course-persistent and adolescence-limited antisocial pathways: follow-up at age 26 years. Development and psychopathology. 2002;14(1):179-207.
• Williams WH, McAuliffe KA, Cohen MH, Parsonage M, Ramsbotham DJ. Traumatic brain injury and juvenile offending: Complex causal links offer multiple targets to reduce crime. The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2015;30(2):69-74.
• Bigler ED. Anterior and middle cranial fossa in traumatic brain injury: relevant neuroanatomy and neuropathology in the study of neuropsychological outcome. Neuropsychology. 2007;21(5):515-31.
• Hutchinson P, Kirkpatrick P. Acute Head Injury for the Neurologist. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. 2002;73(Suppl 1):i3-i7.
• Caeyenberghs K, Leemans A, Leunissen I, Gooijers J, Michiels K, Sunaert S, et al. Altered structural networks and executive deficits in traumatic brain injury patients. Brain Structure and Function. 2014;219(1):193-209.
• Yates PJ, Williams WH, Harris A, Round A, Jenkins R. An epidemiological study of head injuries in a UK population attending an emergency department. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. 2006;77(5):699-701.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Key words search

Clinical psychology, neuropsychology, functional anatomy, methods, treatment interventions