THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Health in Social Science : Clinical Psychology

Postgraduate Course: Social Psychology and Mental Health (CLPS11057)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Health in Social Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course will be structured around 5 two-hour lectures and supportive materials. It will cover topics such as altruism, attitudes, attribution theory, group processes, prejudice and stigma, social identity, relationships and social networks. The course will also explore, through specific readings, how these social psychological theories can relate to mental health.
Course description Each lecture will include a core social psychological theory and also make connections to mental health through specific readings and research. For example, the lecture on group processes will include an introduction to Social Identity Theory, followed by an application of this theory to the analysis of intergroup and intragroup behaviour. In this lecture, we would also use primary readings to highlight how social psychology can contribute to understanding the social stigma surrounding mental illness.

The course is a core component of the MSc Psychology of Mental Health (Conversion) but will be open to others at the discretion of the course organiser.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Course Start Date 26/10/2021
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 12.5, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 85 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Summative assessment will take the form of one essay (2000 words, 100% of the mark), from a choice of essay questions. Example questions are:
1) Discuss the contribution research on attitudes makes to understanding stigma against mental illness.
2) Do group processes relate to mental health and illness?
Feedback Formative feedback will be given in the third week on an on-line multiple-choice quiz on topics already covered in the course.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of social psychological theories and research.
  2. Demonstrate psychological literacy in all aspects of students' lives.
  3. Demonstrate critical reflection on how social psychological perspectives can aid our understanding of mental health and illness.
Reading List
Textbook: Hogg, M. & Vaughan, G. (2009). Essentials of Social Psychology. New York: Pearson.

Pflugshaupt, T. et al. (2005). Hypervigilance-avoidance Pattern in Spider Phobia. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 19, 105-116

Deegan, P.E. (2005). The Importance of Personal Medicine: A Qualitative Study of Resilience in People with Psychiatric Disabilities. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 33, 29-35

Butt, T. & Langdridge, D. (2003). The Construction of Self: The Public Reach into the Private Sphere. Sociology, 37, 477-493

Dhillon, K. & Ubhi, M. (2003). Acculturation and ethnic identity in marginal immigrant South Asian men in Britain: a psychotherapeutic perspective Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 3, 42-48

Reicher, S. & Haslam, S.A. (2011). After shock? Towards a social identity explanation of the Milgram obedience studies. British Journal of Social Psychology, 50, 163-169

Corrigan, P.W. & Matthews, A.K. (2003). Stigma and Disclosure: Implications for Coming Out of the Closet. Journal of Mental Health, 12, 235-248

Berenson, K.R. et al. (2011). The Rejection-Rage Contingency in Borderline Personality Disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 120, 681-690

Archer, J. & Coyne, S.M. (2005). An Integrated Review of Indirect, Relational, and Social Aggression. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 9, 212-230

Beyers, W. & Seiffge-Krenke, I. (2010). Does Identity Precede Intimacy? Testing Erikson's Theory on Romantic Development in Emerging Adults of the 21st Century. Journal of Adolescent Research, 25, 387-415

Sims, K.E. & Meana, M. (2010). Why Did Passion Wane? A Qualitative Study of Married Women's Attributions for Declines in Sexual Desire. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 36, 360-380

Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Develop your research knowledge that will enable you to discuss, share, present and analyse data and information in various formats and from a range of sources
Develop your research methods and data analysis skills
Develop your critical reflection and writing skills
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Billy Lee
Tel: (0131 6)50 3342
Email: B.Lee@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Gillian Stewart
Tel:
Email: v1gste11@exseed.ed.ac.uk
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