Psychopathology and Mental Health

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2027/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Health and Wellbeing

Unit Title:

Psychopathology and Mental Health

Unit ID:

PSYCB3115

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

Nil

ASCED:

090701

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

The unit will introduce students to current understanding and concepts in relation to some common adult and child psychological disorders. Theories, relevant research findings, aetiology, and therapies will be considered critically. Ethics of research, practice, and assessment in abnormal psychology will be covered.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.

Describe and critically appraise conceptualisations of psychopathology within biological, psychological, social, and cultural frameworks, reflecting on the importance of cultural responsiveness in understanding and addressing mental health across diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

K2.	Identify and assess research methodology in abnormal and clinical psychology research.

K3.	Discuss, illustrate and analyse ethical issues in the practice of abnormal and clinical psychology.

K4.	Describe and discuss legislative frameworks (including privacy, human rights) as they pertain to abnormal psychology.

Skills:

S1.	Describe and critically evaluate causes, competing theories and therapies, and current research of major psychological disorders.

S2.	Classify, distinguish and interrelate some of the major psychological disorders.

S3.	Design, at a theoretical level, treatment for major psychological disorders.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Apply relevant knowledge and skills of the scientific method to evaluate problems related to behaviour and mental processes.

A2.	Apply relevant knowledge and skills to construct links between abnormal psychology (terms, concepts, theory and research) and real world scenarios.

A3.	Apply relevant knowledge and skills to write a report using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions

Other outcomes:

Unit Content:

Past and present models of psychopathology and mental health.
Diagnosis and clinical assessment.
Research methods in the study of abnormal behaviour.
Major psychological disorders in adults (e.g., anxiety disorders, mood disorders and suicide, substance-related disorders, disorders of gender and sexuality, disorders of personality and impulsive control, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders).
Major psychological disorders in adolescents and children (e.g. eating disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorder, conduct disorder)
Developmental disorders (intellectual disability, autism)

Graduate Attributes:

Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptor		Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
FED TASK and descriptor		Level
FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal	Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 2 Leadership	Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations.	Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity	Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy	Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities.	Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 5 sustainable and Ethical Mindset	Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting	Professional Standards
1.	K1, K2, K3, K4, A1, A2	Demonstration of understanding of fundamental concepts in abnormal psychology including theories, assessment, clinical symptoms, aetiology, and treatment.	Online Quizzes and/or Tests	40-60%
2.	K1, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3	Students will produce an independent report in accordance with professional and APA requirements. Through the report, students will apply relevant knowledge of major psychological disorders, aetiology, and treatment. Students will also consider elements of ethics and assessment.	Case study report	40-60%

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency