PSYCH338-22A (HAM)

Mental Health and Well Being

15 Points

Edit Header Content
Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Psychology

Staff

Edit Staff Content

Convenor(s)

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: alistair.lamb@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
Edit Staff Content

Paper Description

Edit Paper Description Content

The aim of the paper is to facilitate students‘ understanding of the concepts of wellness and illness in the context of mental health as well as describing and critiquing the traditional Western approach to the classification and diagnosis of mental disorders. This paper will discuss the clinical features of common psychological disorders and dysfunctions and explore technical (i.e., aetiology, assessment, formulation, and treatment), legal, ethical, and cultural issues - with a special focus on Indigenous and Maori perspectives. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to demonstrate an understanding of how some of the most commonly seen psychological disorders present as well as reflect on foundational issues such as how these conditions are understood and treated in a clinical setting.

Edit Paper Description Content

Paper Structure

Edit Paper Structure Content

Lectures, labs and assessments will give students opportunities to be actively involved in reading, examining, and discussing psychological perspectives about psychopathology, mental health and wellbeing.


Edit Paper Structure Content

Learning Outcomes

Edit Learning Outcomes Content

Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:

  • Understand the diagnostic criteria, key theories, assessment techniques, and treatment approaches of the major mental disorders.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Demonstrate an ability to think critically about some of the key issues that are associated with psychopathology.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Discuss the importance of cultural factors in the way that individuals are assessed and treated.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Demonstrate an ability to write clearly and concisely.
    Linked to the following assessments:
Edit Learning Outcomes Content
Edit Learning Outcomes Content

Assessment

Edit Assessments Content
Assessment for this paper involves a series of small assignments that are designed to tap into your developing working knowledge and reflectiveness about issues related to mental health and wellbeing.
Edit Additional Assessment Information Content

Assessment Components

Edit Assessments Content

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Discussion papers (two are required)
15 Apr 2022
3:00 PM
50
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Laboratory assessments (five are required)
10 Jun 2022
5:00 PM
50
  • In Class: In Lab
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
Edit Assessments Content

Required and Recommended Readings

Edit Required Readings Content

Recommended Readings

Edit Recommended Readings Content

Recommended text

Barlow, D. H., Durand, V. M., & Hoffman, S. G. (2018). Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.

The lectures are intended to be complementary to the text rather than merely repeating the material, so it is important that students read the relevant chapters in preparation for the lectures. Also, assignments will derive from issues highlighted in the text. It is important that you access the 8th edition of this textbook.

Recommended resources
Over the course of this paper, you will be exposed to recommended readings to develop your specific interests further. These suggested references are not compulsory for this course, however students will benefit if they familiarise themselves with clinical psychology and related journals and read beyond the set readings for their writing assignments, and to follow up on individual questions and interests. In reading and considering material, students are expected to reflect on the impact of cultural differences, as well as the complex interplay of psychological, biological, and social factors.

Some major journals to consider when working on assignments include (note: this list is not exhaustive)

  • American Journal of Psychiatry
  • Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
  • Clinical Psychology Review
  • Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
  • Journal of Abnormal Psychology
  • Journal of Clinical Psychology
  • Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
  • Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice
Edit Recommended Readings Content

Other Resources

Edit Other Resources Content
From time to time, additional resources will be added to Moodle to assist with assignments, understanding a topic, or just for plain interest.
Edit Other Resources Content

Online Support

Edit Online Support Content
Availability of lecture slides
The course convenor will endeavour to make lecture slides available on Moodle prior to lectures. However, this is dependent on guest lecturers sending their PowerPoint presentations in a timely manner. If the slides are not available prior to the lecture then they will be available soon after.
Edit Online Support Content

Workload

Edit Workload Content
The amount of work expected of a typical student in a 15 point undergraduate paper (offered over one semester) is 10 hours per week. This figure is only an approximation, as papers vary in their requirements and students vary in both the amount of effort required and the level of grades they wish to achieve.
Edit Workload Content

Linkages to Other Papers

Edit Linkages Content
PSYCH338 is a core pre-requisite paper for students applying for the Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Clinical) Programme.
Edit Linkages Content

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

Restricted papers: PSYC338

Edit Linkages Content