Name of Centre

Assignment Brief
Title of Access to HE Diploma: 1 ½ hours per week

ACCESS TO ………………………………………………………………………………………

Unit title(s): Psychological Abnormality
Unit code(s): PK1/2/LN/128
PK1/3/LN/117
Learner:
Tutor/Assessor:

Title of Assignment: Psychological Abnormality
Assignment Number:
1
Description of Assignment: (Can be attached as a separate sheet if preferred)

Questions 1 and 2 must be answered in class in timed, closed examination conditions.
(Assessment criteria 1 and 4)

The following question should be answered for homework:
3) Write an essay of not more than 1500 words:
Describe the symptoms of one psychological disorder and the explanations and treatment methods offered by the biological, psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural approaches. Critically evaluate these explanations and treatment methods. (Criteria 2 and 3)
YOU MUST INCLUDE A WORD COUNT AND A REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY SECTION
Please attach your essay to the end of the question and answer section.
You must provide citations, references and bibliography and a word count for the last answer.
Date set:
Week beginning 17th September 2012 Date for draft submission
(if applicable):
Ongoing Date for final submission:
Week beginning 7th January 2013

Extension date
(if agreed):

Signed by Tutor/Assessor to agree extension:
Date submitted:
Learner declaration:

This is my own work. Any sources I have used have been acknowledged appropriately.

I understand that work copied from other sources (e.g. books, websites, other students etc) and presented as my own work will not be accepted.

Signature: Date:
TO THE LEARNER: Please attach this assignment brief to any written work you are handing in for assessment, or submit the brief as instructed.
YOUR WORK CANNOT BE ASSESSED UNLESS YOU HAVE SIGNED AND SUBMITTED THIS FORM.
Level Unit title:
This assignment addresses the following Assessment Criteria from the unit (or a copy of the unit may be attached, if all the ACs are involved) :
AC no Level Two Level Three

1 Describe the different ways that psychological abnormalities can be defined (statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately, deviation from ideal mental health) and identify limitations of each method. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different definitions of psychological abnormalities (statistical infrequency, deviation from social norms, failure to function adequately and deviation from ideal mental health)

2 Describe the assumptions made and methods of treatment suggested by one biological and one psychological perspective of abnormality Explain the assumptions made and methods of treatment suggested by one biological and one psychological perspective of abnormality and evaluate the evidence to support each approach
3
Describe the symptoms and explanations for one psychological disorder Explain the symptoms and critically assess explanations for one psychological disorder.

4 Describe how culture, gender and socio-economic group influence the incidence and diagnosis of psychological disorders. Evaluate how culture, gender and socio-economic group influence the incidence and diagnosis of psychological disorders.
(This section must be repeated for all units assessed through this assignment)

Grade Unit title:
If you have achieved all Level 3 criteria you will receive a grade (Pass, Merit or Distinction) against the following Grade Descriptors. (There are no descriptors for Pass; learners achieve a Pass by meeting all ACs for the unit at Level 3.)
Grade Descriptor To achieve a Merit :
The learner, learner’s work or performance: To achieve a Distinction :
The learner, learner’s work or performance:

2

Application of knowledge
To achieve a MERIT you must:

A) make use of relevant facts and ideas

B) demonstrate depth
C) show a very good level of analysis To achieve a DISTINCTION you must:

A) make use of relevant facts and ideas

B) demonstrate breadth and depth
C) show excellent level of analysis
Grade Descriptor To achieve a Merit :
The learner, learner’s work or performance: To achieve a Distinction :
The learner, learner’s work or performance:

GD7: Quality

To achieve a MERIT your work:

A) Must be structured in a way that is generally logical and fluent

A) May contain some ambiguities or limitations in the expression of argument or ideas

B) taken as a whole, demonstrates a very good response to the demands of the brief / assignment To achieve a DISTINCTION your work:

A) Must be structured in a way that is consistently logical and fluent

B) Must contain arguments that are unambiguous and cogent

C) taken as a whole, demonstrates a excellent response to the demands of the brief / assignment
(This section must be repeated for all units assessed through this assignment)

What this means for this assignment
(Please give guidance to the learner on how they may be considered for a Merit or a Distinction)
• Grading is not applicable to Level 2 assignments.
• To achieve a pass you must answer all the questions in order to demonstrate understanding of the subject.
• To achieve a merit you need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the main psychological approaches by explaining them in detail. You also should demonstrate a clear understanding of the difficulties of defining abnormality and how culture, gender and socio-economic status impacts on mental health.
• To achieve a distinction you need also to show a thorough understanding of the wider implications of the psychological approaches by providing examples from research studies, such as the recent research on stress and cancer. In addition, you should evaluate the psychological approaches critically and thoroughly. You also should demonstrate a clear understanding of the difficulties of defining psychological abnormality and how culture, gender and socio-economic status impacts on mental health by emphasizing the connection with the nature-nurture (biological versus environmental) debate.
Please attach question 3 to the end of the closed, timed question and answer section.

In your third answer, when referring to grade descriptor 2, Application of Knowledge, you should:
• Apply your knowledge of the 3 perspectives, biological, psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural to the specific disorder you have chosen and only critically evaluate the treatment methods for this disorder.

For grade descriptor 7, Quality, you should:
The Quality grade depends on the expression of clear ideas through grammatically correct sentences, using linking words or ideas and paragraphing. Your work must be appropriately referenced, using the Harvard method, including a full bibliography.
PLEASE TURN OVER FOR FEEDBACK SHEETS AND EXAMINATION PAPER
Name of Centre:
Westminster Kingsway College
Assignment Feedback
Title of Access to HE Diploma: 1.5 hours per week

Access to …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Unit title(s): Psychological Abnormality
Unit code(s): PK1/3/LN/117
PK1/2/LN/128
Learner:

Tutor/Assessor: Philippa Patel

Title of Assignment: Abnormality
Assignment
Number:
1
Internally moderated? Yes / No IM’s signature:
Part A: Feedback on credit level
(NB: If an assignment contributes to more than one unit, separate feedback on each is essential)

AC no Credit achieved ( L2/L3 ) Location of evidence Tutor/Assessor comments on assessment criteria
(you could also indicate on the work itself where each AC is met)

1
Question 1

Question 4

Question 3

Question 2

2

3

4
Additional feedback

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level
achieved: Tutor/Assessor’s
signature:
Date:
In order to achieve credit at Level 2 or Level 3, learners must meet all the assessment criteria for that unit. If there is more than one assignment for a unit, the credit level for the unit cannot be awarded until all assignments have been completed.

AF(2010) Page 1 of 2
Resubmission (if applicable)
If any of the assessment criteria for this assignment have not been met at Level 3, a resubmission may be permitted. Only one resubmission is allowed for each assignment.
Requirements for resubmission / Task set:

 

Date set:
Date due:

Date submitted:

Feedback on resubmission:

 

Level achieved
after resubmission: Tutor/Assessor’s signature: Date:
Part B: Feedback on grading
Applicable only if all assessment criteria achieved at level 3
(NB: If an assignment contributes to more than one unit, separate feedback on each is essential)

Grade Descriptor Tutor/Assessor comments against grade descriptors Grade
indicator
(P/M/D)
2 Application of knowledge
Facts and ideas:
Depth and breadth:
Level of analysis:
GD7:
Quality
Logical and fluent:

 

Ambiguities or limitations:

 
Grade indicators for
assignment

Final unit grade, if applicable *

* If there is more than one assignment for a unit, the final grade for the unit cannot be awarded
until all assignments have been completed, and this space should be left blank.

Learner’s comments following return of assignment:

 

 
Learner signature

 

1 Abnormality is very difficult to define. It can be hard to decide where normal behaviour ends and abnormal behaviour begins. Discuss and evaluate two or more definitions of abnormality. (Criterion 1)

-Week beginning 1st October 2012————————————————————————————————————–
2 What psychological evidence is there that ethnicity, gender and socio-economic status influences the incidence and diagnosis of psychological disorders? (Criterion 4)
For grade descriptor 2, Application of Knowledge, you should:
• Refer to case studies and articles discussed in class to support your arguments
• Use your knowledge of statistical evidence on race, gender and socio-economic status to critically examine the validity of genetic and environmental influences

-Week beginning 5th November 2012————————————————————————————————————–