| CODE | PSY5619 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Clinical Neuropsychology – Theory and Practice | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The unit introduces students to the theory and practice in clinical neuropsychology, with practical related work being undertaken in the attached placement. The sessions are organised primarily around cognitive functions such as language, vision and memory, covering areas such as ageing, brain damage, developmental issues and neuro-rehabilitation. Coverage of the topics includes theoretical issues, practical aspects of assessment, and illustrations using clinical cases. The practical part of the unit will consist of 18 hours under supervision observing and engaging in neuropsychological assessment and intervention with patients with various neuropsychological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other dementias, head injury, cerebrovascular accidents, epilepsy and neuropsychological disorders in childhood. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide a basic introduction to clinical neuropsychology. It is designed to help trainees to learn how to go about assessing patients with suspected neurological and neuropsychiatric problems, and to relate this to associated theoretical and research developments. The teaching draws on the knowledge of the neurosciences including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neurochemistry (which students would have done at undergraduate level), in addition to purely psychological studies. The main objective of the practice placement is to provide trainees with the opportunity to observe neuropsychologists and neuropsychiatrists in their work with clients exhibiting various forms of neuropsychological conditions and disorders, and subsequently to carry out neuropsychological assessment and intervention under supervision themselves so as to develop the initial competencies for psychological work with such patients. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe and analyze the main cognitive functions such as attention, perception, memory, and executive functions; - Describe and evaluate the main components of neuropsychological assessment; - Evaluate the theories explaining the main neuropsychological conditions, and relevant research; - Describe and evaluate current evidence-based research on the various neuropsychological conditions and relevant assessment practices; - Critically analyze the features of a non-discriminatory and benevolent approach and an open and non-judgmental stance to clients; - Demonstrate the use of non-stigmatizing language as well as a de-pathologizing attitude whereby the main focus is on the individual rather than the diagnostic label or condition. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate competence in deciding what tests to apply to the various conditions in neuropsychology; - Demonstrate competence in the administration and interpretation of the various tests; - Demonstrate competences in report writing and feeding back results to clients and other professions; - Relate assessment findings to relevant theory and research on neuropsychological conditions. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main text: Goldstein, L. & McNeil, J. (2013) Clinical Neuropsychology: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Management for Clinicians. West Sussex: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Supplementary texts: Andrewes, D. (2001) Neuropsychology. From Theory to Practice. East Sussex: Psychology Press, Taylor and Francis. Halligan, P.W., Kischka, U., & Marshall, J.C. (2003) Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Heilman, K.M. and Valenstein, E. (2003) (eds) Clinical Neuropsychology . Fourth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lezak, M. D., Howieson, D. B., & Loring, D. W. (2004). Neuropsychological Assessment. 4th ed. Oxford: OUP. Richards, T., Clark, T., & Clarke, C. (2007). The human brain and its disorders. Oxford University Press. Sohlberg, M.M. and Mateer, C.A. (2001) Cognitive Rehabilitation: An Integrative Approach. NY: Guildford Press. Whishaw, I.Q. and Kolb, B. (2004) Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology. Fifth edition. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite qualifications: BPsy(Hons) | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Placement | ||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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