CONTACT CSU

PSY541 Clinical Neuropsychology (8)

Abstract

This subject provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary neuropsychological theories, methods and measures, including aspects of the neuropsychological assessment, diagnosis and understanding of developmental and acquired cognitive disorders likely to be encountered by clinical psychologists. The functional neuroanatomy of the brain will be discussed, with consideration of basic neuroanatomy, vascular systems and neurochemistry. The nature of the cognitive systems involved in attention, memory, language, spatial processing, and executive functions will be reviewed, with discussion of the neuropsychological assessment of each of these systems. The application of neuropsychological theories and methods in clinical psychological practice will be explored, with consideration of a range of developmental and acquired disorders, neuropsychiatric disorders and other common conditions. Ethical and professional issues in clinical neuropsychological practice will be discussed. The unit also includes coverage of mechanisms of psychoactive drug action and the classification, use and efficacy of common psychopharmacological agents for psychological disorders.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
Distance*Bathurst Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PSY541
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Psychology

Enrolment restrictions

Available to students in the Master of Clinical Psychology
Prerequisite(s)
PSY535 and PSY537

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate knowledge of neuropsychological theories, methods and measures
  • be able to explain the neuropsychology of developmental disorders and acquired brain injury
  • be able to conduct a basic assessment of a client
  • be able to apply neuropsychological knowledge and skills to the management of clients with cognitive impairments
  • be able to describe the mechanisms of psychoactive drug action
  • be able to appraise the use and efficacy of common psychopharmacological treatments for psychological disorders

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Theories, models and methods in neuropsychology.
  • Cognitive systems
  • Neuropsychological assessment
  • Neuropsychological disorders
  • Application of neuropsychological methods and measures to psychological practice
  • The mechanisms of psychoactive drug action
  • Psychopharmacology for psychological disorders

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 2.5 day residential school. The residential school is intended to serve a number of functions
  • to demonstrate administration and scoring of specific instruments
  • to teach interpretation of neuropsychological tests
  • to demonstrate the utilisation of test data in case formulation
  • to engage students in reflection on the client's experience of brain impairment
Activities include
  • lectures
  • demonstrations
  • case discussions and other small-group learning activities and role-plays
  • student self-evaluation tasks

Back

The information contained in the 2016 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 06 September 2016. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.