Studying at York
Adult Mental Health: Schizophrenia and Psychoses - PSY00099M
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
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 demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of past and present approaches to the diagnosis, conceptualisation and treatment of schizophrenia
- To compare and contrast models 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 diagnosing, describing and treating schizophrenia
- To support 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 demonstrate and actively value 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
- Treating schizophrenia: Psychological therapies
- Summary: The future of schizophrenia research
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 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.