units

OCC1021

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

18 September 2017 21 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational UnitDepartment of Occupational Therapy
OfferedPeninsula First semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Nikos Thomacos

Synopsis

This unit explores psychological theory and research relevant to the practice of occupational therapy, including psychological perspectives on pain, stress, illness and disability. Grounded in a biopsychosocial model of health and wellbeing, this introductory unit provides students with an overview of the major psychological traditions and approaches e.g. psychodynamic, developmental, cognitive, social psychology, etc., and examines how each provides insight into the challenges and issues experienced by individuals, carers, families and communities. This unit also introduces students to the methods of inquiry and assumptions of theory associated with the science of psychology. The relevance of the discipline of psychology to occupational therapy thinking and practice is emphasised.

Outcomes

On completion of the unit students will be able to:

  1. Identify and discuss key contemporary theories, concepts, and perspectives that underpin a biopsychosocial model of health and wellbeing;
  2. Identify and discuss the differences among the various psychological traditions (i.e. psychodynamic, developmental cognitive, behavioural, social, personality, etc.), and how each is related to activity and occupational therapy thinking and practice;
  3. Articulate the personal relevance of unit's content, including an understanding of the role of biopsychosocial forces in their lives and the lives of others, and an appreciation of the practical value of psychology;
  4. Explain how psychological theory and research can be applied to issues such as pain, stress, illness, disability, and health and wellbeing;
  5. Critically evaluate information concerning psychological phenomena obtained from research, the broader community and the media; and,
  6. Identify, evaluate and integrate psychological knowledge in the preparation of assessment tasks set, including the correct use of APA 6th edition referencing.

Assessment

Hurdle:
Students are required to attend 100% of tutorials, unless a medical certificate is provided.

Formative assessment:
Feedback during lecture and tutorial participation, as well as following summative assessments (i.e. assessment tasks 1 and 2) will be provided.

Summative assessment:
5 x In-class tests (4% each) (20%)
Examines the relationship among personality, behaviour and health and wellbeing (2,500 words) (35%)
Short and long answer exam (Multiple choice) (2 1/2 hours) (45%)

Workload requirements

2 hour lecture and 2 hour tutorial per week.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Nikos Thomacos

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Occupational therapy

Prohibitions

PSY1011.