Module PSYC3061: CHILD HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Department: PSYCHOLOGY

PSYC3061: CHILD HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• Either PSYC3102 Psychology Dissertation, or PSYC3041 Psychology Project and Statistics, or PSYS3012 Applied Psychology Dissertation

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To further understanding of psychological aspects of health, especially in childhood, and of some related aspects of epidemiology.

Content

• Fetal development.
• Prenatal diagnosis.
• Term and preterm birth.
• Sleeping and crying.
• Pain in infants and children, and in childbirth.
• Sudden infant deaths.
• Nursing and weaning.
• Cognitive outcomes of malnutrition.
• Failure to thrive.
• Genetic and other studies of adiposity.
• Familial studies of smoking, alcohol use and psychopathology.

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge of key areas of psychological research involving child health, and of the methods used in their investigation

• Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately

• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
• Abilities to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is taught in weekly two-hour sessions, involving lectures, student presentations, video-based material and some small group work.
• These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of the key areas and the skills needed to evaluate research evidence in this area.
• Student presentations develop students' abilities to work independently in locating and evaluating research and give further opportunities to develop and receive feedback on oral communication skills.
• All modes of teaching will equip students with the independent thinking, organisation and critical evaluation skills required for completing the summative essay.
• The summative essay will assess students' ability to produce clear and well-written scientific argument with evidence of critical evaluation.
• The examination will assess students' detailed subject knowledge and critical and analytical skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University