Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PSY3657

 
TITLE Sensitivity Training in Psychology

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Psychology

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit offers students to explore their personality, others' personality and their manner of relating in some depth.
It is psychologically formative in that it helps them to understand their personal psychological resources and deficits and learn how to be understanding and supportive of others in a manner that promotes safety and growth.
This study-unit can be personally challenging and is not suited for persons who are fragile or experiencing a serious crisis or psychological difficulty and have diminished resources.

Students who are interested in this credit are required to attend any meeting or meetings for which their presence is compulsory.
Each student is also required to attend a screening procedure via an interviewing process in order to screen their suitability to attend this course. Thus not every student who applies for this study-unit will be chosen to follow it.

This study-unit is offered over three full days and is non residential.
Full attendance is compulsory for the whole of the duration of the course. Sensitivity training is a group experience whereby, through self-disclosure and feedback, the participants experience and will learn what it means to be sensitive to themselves and to others. Within the safety of a group environment, students are encouraged to take a closer look at their personal lives and identify possible issues that may hinder them in their lives and careers. The group led by a qualified and experiences psychologist or psychotherapist, provides the safety, encouragement and feedback that may be needed while a student works on his/her issue that may be impeding him/her from growth.

Study-Unit Aims:

This unit has 3 main aims. These are formative, cognitive and behavioural.

- On a formative level, the course aims at offering students the opportunity to communicate about themselves in a meaningful environment. This experience usually results in important personal experiences of validation, deep understanding, examination of life goals, exploration of the relating self;
- On a cognitive level the course aims at demonstrating reflexivity and helping skills in practice
- On a behavioural level, course aims at providing a deeper grasp of helping and exploratory behaviours through feedback, self-disclosure, modelling and unconditional positive regard.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Through their assignment, which is a reflective diary, students must be able to demonstrate awareness regarding how the sensitivity training experience has affected them and their lives and be able to explain their observations of themselves and their interactions within the group;
- Through the reflective diary, students are expected to show awareness and the ability to reflect upon themselves.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Be more aware of underlying emotional realities of persons;
- Communicate understanding, support and confront others in a more sophisticated manner;
- Possibly also be more confident and self-assured;
- Learn how to use their self as an instrument of understanding and growth.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Carnegie, D. (1997). How to stop worrying and start living. London: Vermillion.
- Corey, G., & Schneider Corey, M. (2002). I never knew I had a choice: Expolorations in personal growth. California: Brooks/Cole.
- Corey, G. (1990). Theory and practice of group counseling. California: Brooks/Cole.
- Corey, G. (1996). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Fifth Edition. CA: Brooks/Cole.
- Corey, M.C., & Corey,G. (1993). Becoming a helper. New York: Brooks/Cole.
- Fensterheim, H., & Baer, J. (1989). Don't say 'yes' when you want to say 'no'. London: Futura.
- Gladding, S.T. (1995). Group work: A counseling speciality. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
- Kennerley, H. (1997). Overcoming anxiety: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques. London: Robinson.
- Lindenfield, G. (1995). Self-esteem. London: HarperCollins.
- Lindenfield, G. (2000). Managing anger: Simple steps to dealing with frustration and threat. London: Thorsons.
- Looker, T., & Gregson, O. (1997). Managing stress. London: Thorsons.
- Willmot, W., & Hocker, J. (2010). Interpersonal Conflict. New York: McGraw Hill.
- Yalom, I.D. (1985). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.
- Yalom, I.D. (1989). Love's Executioner. New York: Basic books.

 
RULES/CONDITIONS Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE PSY2643

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Students who are interested in this study-unit are required to attend any meeting or meetings for which their presence is compulsory. Each student is also required to attend a screening procedure via an interviewing process in order to assess their suitability to attend this study unit. Thus not every student who applies for this study-unit will be chosen to follow it.

This study-unit includes day seminars which will probably be held away from University premises. Any associated costs in this case need to be borne by the students.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Reflective Diary SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Joshua Aquilina
Fleur Mifsud Bons

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit