FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK AND DEVELOPMENT
The role of Psychology in Social Work
General Data
Academic Year
2014-2015
Year Theme
Introduction to the context and the profession
Semester Theme
The role of psychology, research and the self
Lecturer/Coach
Kimberley Wever
kimberley.wever@ua.aw
T: 5823901 Ext. 313
Semester
2, February 2015- July 2015
Module
The role of psychology in Social Work
Code
ASWD-CC45-12
ECTS
4
Hours
112 hours
Contact Hours: 32.5 hours
Course Description
Content
This module will introduce students to the term psychology and the basic
vocabulary of the discipline. Students will explore the different fields of psychology and
of their contribution to helping social work practitioners analyze and assess social and
human problems in a critical systemic and comprehensive manner. Some of the fields of
psychology that will be discussed include; social psychology, personality psychology,
developmental psychology, experimental psychology, physiological/biological
psychology, cognitive psychology, clinical psychology and industrial/organizational
psychology. Students will learn to distinguish the major psychological perspectives,
namely; behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, physiological, and humanistic and
psychosocial. Students will also explore the ways these psychological perspectives are
used to describe, understand, predict, and control or modify thoughts and human behavior
of diverse client populations. This module will examine the basic concepts in the study of
behavior and mental processes. Therefore, the module will discuss the concepts of
hereditary, genetics, nature and nurture, behavior, personality, sensation, perception,
learning and memory. Students will be able to increase awareness of self and others and
provide a foundation for in-depth study of multi-disciplinary approaches to human
growth and development as a tool for analysis and conducting assessment for social work
practice with diverse client populations. The module will explicitly explore all the
transversal lines of sustainability, diversity and identity.
Objectives
Increase awareness and understanding in psychology and the role psychology
plays in Social Work.
Contents of the module
Dates Content
04-02 This first unit will introduce students to
the course. This unit seeks to engage
students in a general overview of
psychology as a discipline and a
profession tracing its history up to
present.
11-02 Students will receive an introduction to
the physiological nature of psychology
by examining the brain and its relation
to behavior and the roles of the nervous,
limbic, and endocrine systems.
Topics
Neurons, nervous system, hemispheres,
lobes, subcortex, endocrine system
18-02 This unit will focus on human
development, including growing up,
maturing, aging, and facing death. By
tracing someone’s development might
help answer important questions, such
as how did someone become the person
they are today and who will they
become tomorrow. The influence of
heredity and environment will be
addressed, as well as the different types
of development in childhood,
adolescence, young adulthood, and
some of the challenges across the
lifespan.
Topics
Heredity, environment, neonate, social
development, language development,
language development, cognitive
development, moral development
25-02 Students will be exposed to the different
states of consciousness and how these
can affect mental processes and
Literature &
Assignment 12th
edition
Paragraph 1.3
Paragraph 1.4
In class
assignment
Chapter 2
In class
assignment
(non-graded)
Chapter 3
In class
assignment
(non-graded)
Chapter 5
In class
Literature &
Assignments 13th
edition
Chapter 3
In class
assignment
Chapter 7, 8, 9,
10
In class
assignment
(non-graded)
Chapter
12,13,14,15
In class
assignment
(non-graded)
Chapter 23, 24,
25
behavior. They will be able to reason
from the information given ways in
which they can recognize varying states
of consciousness in themselves and
others. As social work students, through
active dialogue and research about
health, stress and coping, they will learn
important life skills and health
promoting behaviors relevant in making
the transition to healthy life style
changes.
Topics
Consciousness, effects of sleep loss,
importance of sleep, sleep disturbances,
dreaming, hypnosis, meditation, sensory
deprivation, psychoactive drugs.
04-03 This unit will prove most meaningful to
students, as through this unit students
will be both subject and object in their
learning, information gathering, and
practicing of skills. In other words
students are afforded the opportunity to
do and put into immediate effect
important principles and knowledge
regarding learning. Students will
develop an understanding of the basic
principles, theoretical explanations and
types of strategies to improve learning.
Students will get familiar with the
different forms of learning and the
effect punishment has on behavior. This
unit will also focus on classical and
operant conditioning.
11-03 This unit will focus on the memory
system. It will zoom into how the
memory works. A distinction is made
between short-term memory and longterm memory. It will also teach students
how memory can be measured and the
reason people tend to forget certain
things. In addition to that the brain
forming and the storage of memories
will be discussed. It will also discuss
exceptional memory, such as
‘photographic’ memory. Students will
assignment
In class
assignment
Chapter 6
Chapter 27, 28,
29, 30
Home
Assignment:
Groups to hand in
4 survey
questions to be
discussed in
class.
Deadline: 02-032015 23.59.
(graded)
Chapter 7
Paragraph
presentation: all
students to
present 1
paragraph.
(graded)
Home
Assignment:
Groups to hand in
4 survey
questions to be
discussed in
class.
Deadline: 02-032015 23.59.
(graded)
Chapter 32, 33,
34, 35
Paragraph
presentation: all
students to
present 1
paragraph.
(graded)
learn how memory can be improved.
Last but not least, student will be
familiarized with tricks to help with
memory.
08-04 Motivation and emotion are key
psychological constructs found in
everything we do. To-date there isn’t
just one theory that explains motivation,
as a result contemporary psychologists
draw on a number of theories to explain
human motivation in different contexts
while taking into account the strengths
and weaknesses of each theory. Students
will then seek to explore and understand
a wide range of information regarding
motivation and emotion while
understanding how they affect the things
they do. Students will learn about the
relationship between motivation and
emotion. Students will also learn about
the different types of motivation and
difference between motivation and
emotion.
15-04 Even something basic as sex is manysided and far from black and white. In
this unit students will learn about the
basic dimension of sex, sexual
development, and sexual orientation. It
will also teach students how the
development of gender takes place and
psychological androgyny. The typical
patterns of human sexual behavior will
be discussed, as well as the difference in
sexual response with regards to male
and female. In addition to that the most
common sexual disorders will be
addressed, as well as the impact of
changes in attitudes on sexual behavior.
Last but not least the impact of sexually
transmitted diseases on sexual behavior
will be discussed.
22-04 In this unit, students will learn about
personality as a construct and how
different theories seek to understand and
explain it. A differentiation is made
between personality, temperament,
Chapter 9
-
-
Online test of
motivation
(non-graded)
10 minute
presentation
of interview
with
psychologist
(graded)
Chapter 10
Group 1 chapter
presentation
(graded)
Chapter 11
Group 2 chapter
presentation
(graded)
Chapter 42, 43,
44
-
-
Online test of
motivation
(non-graded)
10 minute
presentation
of interview
with
psychologist
(graded)
Chapter 46, 47,
48
Group 1 chapter
presentation
(graded)
Chapter 50, 51,
52
Group 2 chapter
presentation
character, and attitude. This first
introduction to personality lays the
foundation for a better understanding
and appreciation for how personality
disorders develop. Students will learn
the definition of personality and the core
concepts that make up the psychology
of personality. They will also learn
about the different theories that explain
personality and how personality is
measured. At the end of class students
will get some practical tips in how to
deal with shyness, and what can be done
about it.
29-04 As social work students, through
dialogue and research about health,
stress and coping, they will learn
important life skills and health
promoting behaviors relevant in making
the transition to healthy life style
changes. It will focus on the effect
behavior has on health. It will also
discuss possible causes of stress,
frustration and conflict and the reactions
to it. People in certain situations will use
defense mechanisms. The meaning of
this will be explored and how coping
plays a role when there are feelings of
helplessness and depression. Also
students will learn how stress is related
to health and disease. Social work
students will be exposed to some
strategies in how manage stress.
06-05 This unit will build on the student’s
introduction to psychology and expose
them to various mental
psychopathologies (mental
disorders/illness). Mental illness of
varying degrees are common in today’s
society and it is therefore important for
social workers in training to increase
their understanding of knowledge of
various psychological disorders; their
causes, symptoms and treatment
options.
(graded)
Chapter 12
Group 3 chapter
presentation
(graded)
Chapter 13
Assignment:
Group 1 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 13.1.
Group 2 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
Chapter 55, 56,
57, 58
Group 3 chapter
presentation
(graded)
Chapter 60, 61,
62, 63
Assignment:
Group 1 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 13.1.
Group 2 to hand
in survey
questions
paragraph 13.2.
Group 3 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 13.3.
Deadline: 04-052015 23.59.
(graded)
13-05 The focus of this unit will be on
therapies. Students will be introduced to
how and when to refer a client
(participants) for psychological
treatment. Hence, they will be exposed
to various therapeutic interventions that
are used to help in the process of
rehabilitating individuals.
Chapter 14
20-05 Students will learn about social
behavior. They will become familiar
with different factors influencing
interpersonal attraction and the
difference between liking and loving. It
will also give attention to the role of
groups and the influence group
membership has on our own behavior.
Social life strongly influences our
behavior, which is probably why we
spend so much time thinking about
Chapter 15
Assignment:
Group 1 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 14.2.
Group 2 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 14.3.
Group 3 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 14.5.
Deadline: 11-052015 23.59.
(graded)
Assignment:
Hand in reflection
paper on
competences
according to the
‘Start-method’.
(graded)
regarding
paragraph 13.2.
Group 3 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 13.3.
Deadline: 04-052015 23.59.
(graded)
Chapter 65, 66,
67, 68
Assignment:
Group 1 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 14.2.
Group 2 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 14.3.
Group 3 to hand
in survey
questions
regarding
paragraph 14.5.
Deadline: 11-052015 23.59.
(graded)
Chapter 70, 71,
72, 73
Assignment:
Hand in reflection
paper on
competences
according to the
‘Start-method’.
other people. Love, hate, and related
topics have been the target of an
immense amount of study. We can only
look at how we think about social
situations and various ways in which we
influence others.
(graded)
Entry requirements
None
Curriculum
Core Competencies
1. Critically engage, assess, assess, intervene and evaluate social and human problems
within a development perspective at multiple levels.
Indicator 1.1
The student understands human development and have knowledge of the factors that
affect human development.
Knowledge area
Psychology
Social work theories and methods
Skills
Skills
NOS. ATTITUDES
7
Communication
20
Interviewing
NOS.
2
3
Attitude
ATTITUDES
Accountability
Collaborative
22
24
26
32
34
35
Listening
Presentation
Professional and ethical use of self
Reflection
Referral
Reporting writing and documentation
7
9
13
15
16
17
20
Engagement
Independence
Openness
Professionalism
Responsibility
Reflective
Willingness to learn
Attention for Transversal Lines
Sustainability
As a scientific and a respected profession, psychology prides itself in the active
contributions it has and will continue to make to the capacity of society to regenerate and
preserve its existence. The issue of sustainability in areas of the human and natural
environment may be described as an implicit ethical responsibility of psychology as
evidenced through relevant research in areas such as the natural environment
(environmental pollution, reducing litter), health, education, law and several other areas.
Students will recognize psychology’s contribution to sustainable development of society
through their acquired knowledge and demonstrated ability to think critically about the
psychological application of various principles and theories of psychology.
Diversity
Psychology to the average man who does not understand its values, uses and
purposes means nothing. But psychology in and of itself is a tool that can be used to
increase one’s appreciation and respect for heterogeneity or differences among members
in society. It is through a scientific understanding of human behavior that one comes to
appreciate, understand and accept the influences of the environment, culture, heredity,
cognition and emotions and how these factors interplay to result in human diversity in
any society.
Psychology therefore promotes respect for the diversity even through its approach
to conducting research, and working with individuals and groups of diverse backgrounds
through multicultural counseling and eclectic approach to working in various settings.
The Aruban society appears to reflect various cultures existing side by side. The
existence highlights the importance of developing cultural tolerance in students; hence
the emphasis on the relationship between psychology and diversity.
Identity
Understanding who we are is a first step in developing the notion of an “identity.”
Identity therefore manifests itself at varying degrees, because the individual exists at
various levels. The self plays a major role in identity formation. Through psychology, we
come to develop keen understanding of who we are on a personal, social and professional
level. But it stands to reason that knowing who we are on these entire contexts is possible
through a master identity. For instance, the social identity theories and identity theories
are ways in which social psychology as a specialist area focuses on a deep and informed
exploration of the issue of identity and its importance in the way we think and behave as
human beings.
Civic participation: Social action and social interactions
Community psychology addresses the issues of social action and interaction as
emphasis is placed on the relationships between the individual and the community and by
extension the wider society. This concentration in psychology therefore aims at
understanding the quality of life of individual, communities, and society through
collaborative research and action (Dalton & Wandersman, 2001). This introductory
course in psychology through various content deliverables will hopefully stimulate in
students personal responsibility to self and others and the environment. It therefore
stands to reason that once the individual strives for a delicate balance in existing at the
three levels, then advocacy in these three respects should fall into place.
While recognizing the need for individuality, it is hoped that the students will see
him or herself as part of what sociologists call a “collective conscience” responsible for
being a part of solution for addressing issues that affect self and others through
established and respected channels. Civic engagement and responsibility starts in the
mind which later culminates into social action guided by skillful social interactions.
Topics like emotions, perception, social behavior, personality and motivation are just a
few of the key topics that provide a scientific exploration of information that can enhance
student’s understanding of the importance of the civic participation in Aruba as a national
or even an immigrant.
Learning Methods
General
The module will be presented in thirteen two and a half hour sessions. Students
shall take notes of all relevant issues that are addressed or raised during the discussions,
particularly those not in the handouts of the power point presentations, interactive and
dynamic group discussions, document analysis, and reflections on own development.
Students should take notes of all relevant issues that are addressed or raised during
discussions.
Work forms
1. Presentations and discussion
2. In class assignments
3. Individual and group work
Evaluation Devices
Assignment
Due date
Grade 100%
Mid semester exam*
30-03-2015
25%
Final exam*
01-06-2015
25%
Assignments
50%
Total
100
*Grades must be sufficient
Assignments
-
Chapter presentation*
In groups of 2 students will present a chapter. This assignment is graded.
-
Paragraph presentation*
Individually, students will present a paragraph of a chapter.
-
Interview psychologist*
Individually a student will interview a psychologist. The student will write about this
interview, with the paper having an introduction, the analysis of the interview, and a
conclusion. The student should construct a questionnaire before the interview with
semi structured and open questions.
Think about the general introduction of the psychologist, history of education of the
psychologist, cultural background, the roles and responsibilities as a psychologist,
tasks, duties, ethical dilemma’s, challenges in the workplace.
The interview should be either voice-recorded or video-recorded. The student will
hand in the paper and the recording. Max 4 pages. This assignment is graded.
-
In class assignments
Written assignments*
In groups of 2, students will be assigned survey questions to answer and to be
submitted on EDU. These assignments are graded.
-
Reflection paper*
Students will reflect on the core competence and how they think they acquired the
indicator using the START method. Max 1 page. This assignment is graded.
Attendance Policy
Attendance and participation are vital elements of active student learning and
significantly enhance your chances of successfully completing the module and the
program. Students shall attend 80% or more of the classes. Repair assignment(s) will be
given for every missed class if the 80% is not met. The student is registered as absent if
he/she misses more than 15 minutes of the class.
Classroom Etiquette
Remember that, just as presence in the work place is a requirement for
compensation, the attentive presence of the student for the entire session is a determining
factor in assigning a grade. It is not enough to “come to class”- be involved and help
yourself and others to learn. Students having the OCCASSIONAL NEED to leave early
or arrive late, or not able to attend class must inform the Lecturer PRIOR TO THE
EVENT via email. Just like in the workplace.
ALL MACHINES (e.g., Laptop, Blackberry, etc.)MUST BE OFF WHEN
LECTURING EXCEPT TO TAKE NOTES AND TO DO RESEARCH UPON THE
REQUEST OF THE LECTURER.
Disability Accommodation
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented
disability. Please notify the Lecturer during the first day of class of any accommodations
needed for the course. Late notification may cause the requested accommodations to be
unavailable. Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a
disability should contact the Lecturer to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible.
Delivery of Academic Papers and Assignments
All assignments should be delivered in the following manner:
1. Assignments are uploaded on EDU before the deadline. Late submissions will not
be accepted.
Fraud/Plagiarism
1. Indicate clearly all sources that have been used with the complete reference of
literature as per the APA Style.
2. In case of material from Internet, the exact site should be given and the institution,
author and date as per the APA Style.
3. All forms of plagiarism will directly affect the evaluation and be given the grade
“1”. Any text that is not placed in quotation marks of which lacks an explicit
reference to a source is considered own work. Make sure that at no point writings
or contributions of others are presented as your own. Therefore, all literary quotes
should be placed in quotation marks and sources should be explicitly mentioned,
even when paraphrasing. Plagiarism also includes copied texts from the internet
incorporated without mention, particularly from other papers, which can be
detected easily with modern search technology.
Literature
Mandatory
Coon, D. & Mitterer, J.O. (2009). Psychology: Modules for active learning. (12th edition).
Cengage learning: Wadsworth
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