PYMFEB: Evidence-Based Treatments Across the Lifespan

Module code: PYMFEB

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Fiona Knott, email: F.J.Knott@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module will give students the opportunity to learn about interventions for psychological and neurological conditions from clinical experts in the field.  A range of psychological disorders and their treatment will be examined, allowing students to develop an understanding of evidence-based practice.  The module will cover a range of conditions, such as anxiety and depression, and intervention modalities such as cognitive behaviour therapy and systemic approaches. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Explain and evaluate the evidence for psychological models and theories of particular psychological or neurological disorders
2. Critically appraise the evidence base for the effectiveness of psychological treatments
3. Demonstrate skills in communicating psychological concepts, models, or evidence relating to psychological or neurological interventions

Module content

This module will be taught across one semester, covering a range of topics relevant to evidence-based psychological theory and treatments. The module will include seminars relating to specific disorders that are seen in clinical practice (e.g., anxiety disorders, depression) and across the lifespan from childhood to adulthood into older adulthood (e.g., neurodevelopmental problems in childhood, dementia). A range of evidence-based treatment modalities will also be explored, for instance Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will use a combination of lectures, interactive activities and small and large group discussion. There will be opportunities to watch/listen to illustrative audio and video and consider relevant clinical case material. Activities such as guided reading to be undertaken in advance of the seminar will be set to facilitate engagement in activities and discussion .

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Opportunities to develop skills in critical evaluation of research and its application to clinical psychology will be embedded in activities across all seminars. Such activities could include group work to design a research trial, class debates and discussion of video material.   There will be opportunities for formal and informal peer feedback as well as feedback from seminar convenors. 

Reassessment

Additional costs