PY3DPA-The Developmental Psychopathology of Anxiety

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis or PY2RMP Research methods in Psychology and PY2DAL Development across the lifespan
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mrs Shannon Wake
Email: shannon.wake@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

PY3DPA: The Developmental Psychopathology of Anxiety DisordersÌý

Aims:
The aims of this module are: to provide students with the opportunity for in depth study of the development of anxiety disorders; to raise students' awareness of current research in this field, including the research being conducted in the department; to encourage students to critically evaluate research and theoretical perspectives within the developmental psychopathology literature; to motivate students to explore the literature independently; to nurture generic graduate skills including confident communication and teamwork.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student will be able to

• critically analyse research on vulnerability factors for anxiety disorders


• appraise developmental psychopathological models of anxiety disorders


• debate the evidence for and against the role of family environment in affecting children’s risk for anxietyÌý

Additional outcomes:

Students’ skills in critical evaluation, confident communication and teamwork will be developed through participation in evaluative discussions of research and theory in large and small groups. The module additionally provides an opportunity for students to improve their written communication skills through a poster presentation.Ìý

Outline content:

The module comprises Ìý7 2-hour seminars.Ìý

In this module we concentrate on the development of anxiety disorders. The first session will provide the context for the rest of the module by introducing anxiety disorders and the developmental psychopathology framework. The value of this approach and the importance of examining developmental pathways to anxiety disorders will be considered.Ìý

The following sessions will focus on specific risk factors for the development of anxiety, including genetics, family environment, child temperament and information processing. In the final session we will bring these ideas together and take a critical look at early intervention and prevention options.Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course will include a variety of teaching and learning methods. The seminars will include lectures, interactive discussions and student presentations. Core reading will be assigned for each session and students will be expected to use this to motivate and guide their own further reading of the literature. Students will be encouraged to interact with each other via the discussion board on Blackboard, sharing thoughts, ideas and useful readings. During the course of the module, students wil l each produce a poster describing and evaluating research relevant to the module.Ìý