Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PSY3662

 
TITLE Neuropsychology

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

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Psychology

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit will provide an introduction to the underlying biological basis of behaviour. A specific emphasis will be placed on understanding the effects of brain activity on cognitive and social aspects of human behaviour (and vice-versa). In addition, the study-unit will address the effects of brain injury and neurological impairments with a view to understand models of normal cognitive and social functioning. Further, neuropsychological assessments and neurorehabilitation will be introduced.The topics are as follows:

- Evolution of the human brain;
-Hemispheric Specialisation;
- History of neuropsychology (including methods);
- General Cognitive Functioning;
- Memory;
- Attention;
- Executive Functioning;
- Language;
- Visuospatial Processing;
- Emotion;
- Executive Function;
- Neuropsychological assessment;
- Neurorehabilitation.

Study-Unit Aims:

- To understand how brain structure and function relates to specific cognitive and social expressions of behaviour;
- To gain a broad understanding of the basic principles of neuropsychological assessment and testing;
- To understand of the role of neuropsychological assessment in the treatment of patients with neurological disorders;
- To understand the role of neuropsychological assessment in the rehabilitation of patients with neurological disorders.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

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

- Critically evaluate key issues related to the main theoretical and practical approaches to Neuropsychology;
- Discuss the major concepts of modularity and dissociations of function and illustrate the relationship of theories of normal and impaired brain function;
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the principles of neuropsychological assessment;
- Demonstrate an understanding of neuropsychological assessment, tests and intervention.

2. Skills:

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

- Demonstrate more in-depth knowledge of Neuropsychology and its applications to everyday life and clinical context;
- They will also possess a level of reflexivity in relation to the role of a neuropsychologist in clinical practice.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Kolb, B. & Whishaw, I.Q. (2009) Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology. New York: W.H.Freeman & Co.
- Green, J. (2000). Neuropsychological Evaluation of the Older Adult. A Clinician's Guidebook. California: Academic Press.
- Mitrushina, M., Boone, K., & D'Elia, I. (2005). Handbook of Normative Data for Neuropsychological Assessment (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
- Strauss, E., Sherman, E. M. S., & Spreen, O. (2006). A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests: Administration, Norms, and Commentary Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Lezak, M. D., Howieson, D. B., Bigler, E. D., & Tranel, D. (2012). Neuropsychological assessment (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Goldstein, L. H & McNeil, J.E. (2012) Clinical Neuropsychology: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Management for Clinicians (2nd ed). Wiley-Blackwell.
- Guide to Assessment and Management for Clinicians (2nd ed). Wiley-Blackwell

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation SEM2 No 20%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S Kristina Koller
Monique Saliba
Mariella Spagnol
Fiona Zoe Ambery
Kristina Vella

 

 
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.

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