Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Explain philosophical ideas about the human mind, including ideas about nature and nurture

• Evaluate psychological ideas from a Christian perspective

• Compare and contrast various schools of psychological literature

• Critique various mental health issues and wellbeing concepts

Unit Description

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind in relation to our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Counsellors can benefit from being familiar with psychological concepts, individual differences in human behaviours, and social psychology, so they can assist people to understand themselves and those they care for.

This unit will provide an overview of basic psychology concepts and theories - such as cognitive processes, emotional regulation and the nature versus nurture debate - with a focus on how these affect mental health and wellbeing. Students will be encouraged to engage critically with the literature and explore psychology from a Christian worldview.

Topics

1. The development of psychology and counselling as related professions: An historical perspective
2. Major psychological theories & their assumptions – an overview (thoughts, emotions, behaviours)
3. Behaviourism
4. Strengths-based Psychology: Positive Psychology and wellbeing concepts
5. Developmental Psychology: The influence of Bowlby, Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky and Kohlberg on learning and moral development
6. Social Psychology
7. Health Psychology: How do we promote community wellness?
8. Christianity and psychology
9. Neurodiversity & impacts on counselling
10. Cross-cultural aspects of the practice of psychology for counselling
11. Psychological tools in counselling 1
12. Psychological tools in counselling 2

Assessment and Indicative Load

Assessment types include Quiz, Major Essay, and Reflection Paper. Indicative study load is 150 hours.

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Unit offerings

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.