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Adult Mental Health: Schizophrenia & Psychoses - PSY00062H

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Clara Humpston
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The main aim of this module is to offer a balanced and nuanced overview of the different approaches used in the understanding and treatment of schizophrenia and related psychoses. These will incorporate a wide range of biological, cognitive, social and philosophical approaches without being dominated by a single framework or position. Students will learn about and be able to critically evaluate cutting-edge research evidence coming from various interdisciplinary conceptualisations about the nature of schizophrenia and its clinical management. This module will consist of both formal lectures and small group-based activities such as discussions focusing on anonymised case studies and first-person accounts, presentations, and debates based on current and emergent issues in schizophrenia research. Despite an emphasis on theoretical knowledge, students will engage with
materials derived from the latest research evidence from multiple sources and frameworks and be encouraged to adopt a pluralist stance. The use of first-personal accounts from individuals living with schizophrenia will enhance the realness and richness of the course content, as well as provide foundations for empathic understanding and dispel misconceptions and stigma frequently associated with schizophrenia.

Module learning outcomes

  • To establish a developing knowledge of past and present approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia
  • To develop an empathic understanding of psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations) and their nature, aetiology and impact on individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia
  • To critically evaluate the latest evidence for and against different models and frameworks for understanding schizophrenia
  • To explore ways of accommodating for pluralistic approaches and demonstrate an ability to be tolerant and inquisitive towards differing views in mental health research and practice
  • To maintain and actively nourish scientific curiosity about the nature of self, reality, truth and knowledge

Module content

  • Schizophrenia and psychoses: Definitions, diagnosis and basic concepts
  • Models of delusions in the context of psychosis
  • Models of hallucinations in the context of psychosis
  • Neurobiological basis of schizophrenia
  • Cognitive basis of schizophrenia
  • Schizophrenia and (the) self
  • Treating schizophrenia: Pharmacological and psychological approaches
  • Summary: The future of schizophrenia research

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Adult Mental Health: Schizophrenia & Psychoses		 5 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Adult Mental Health: Schizophrenia & Psychoses		 5 hours 100

Module feedback

Marks will be released via e:vision.

Indicative reading

Essential reading:

  • Jauhar, S., Johnstone, M., & McKenna, P. J. (2022). Schizophrenia. The Lancet, 399(10323), 473–486.
  • Humpston, C.S., and Broome, M.R. (2020). Thinking, Believing, and Hallucinating Self in Schizophrenia. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(7), 638-646.

Recommended reading:

  • J. C. Badcock and G. Paulik-White (Eds.), A Clinical Introduction to Psychosis: Foundations for Clinical and Neuropsychologists. Academic Press (Elsevier).
  • Toh, W. L., Moseley, P., & Fernyhough, C. (2022). Hearing voices as a feature of typical and psychopathological experience. Nature Reviews Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-021-00013-z
  • Sterzer, P., Adams, R. A., Fletcher, P., Frith, C., Lawrie, S. M., Muckli, L., Petrovic, P., Uhlhaas, P., Voss, M., & Corlett, P. R. (2018). The Predictive Coding Account of Psychosis. Biological Psychiatry, 84(9), 634–643.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.