Military Psychology I

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:4.00

Study Course Accepted:12.04.2021 13:01:22

Study Course Information
Course Code:		VPUPK_288		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Psychology; Clinical Psychology		Target Audience:		Psychology
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Jeļena Koļesņikova
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppkrsu[pnkts]lv, +37167061587
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		12	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		24
Classes (count)		12	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		24
Total Contact Hours								48
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Knowledge of health psychology, clinical psychology, general psychology, personality psychology and social psychology, as well as psychological assessment and psychological counselling acquired during the Bachelor’s degree programmes.
Objective:
Develop the students' understanding of the specifics of military psychology, develop understanding of the work of a psychologist in the military field, including psychological research and psychological counselling.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Organisation of professional activities of a military psychologist.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
2	Military leadership, unit psychological climate, individual and unit operational efficiency.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
3	Specifics of psychological counselling in the military field: individual counselling and group counselling.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
4	Specifics of psychological evaluation in the military field: staff selection, intelligence and personality assessment, assessment of the soldier's psychological characteristics and mental state before and after a peacekeeping mission.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
5	Etiology of mental disorders. Methods of psychological help for different groups of clients/patients.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		3.00	auditorium
6	The role of pain, its measurement, physiology and neurochemical basis. Acute and chronic pain. Assessment and prevention (management) of chronic pain. Pain control techniques.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
7	Interim test.			Classes		1.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
1. Independently prepare for the test in accordance with the topics acquired in the course. 2. A description of the case in the military field is completed: • achievable aims for psychological assessment in accordance with the client's needs (a case description) should be set; • the chosen assessment methods (including a brief description of the assessment methods and their justification) should be described and justified; • achievable counselling goals in accordance with the needs of the client (a case description) should be set.
Assessment Criteria:
1. Test on questions of military psychology that correspond to the course topics – an interim test (50%). 2. The description of the case prepared in accordance with the requirements (up to 7 pages) submitted within the prescribed time limit (50%).
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Students use the terminology of military psychology and describe the work of a psychologist in the military field, including psychological assessment and psychological counselling.
Skills:		Students apply the knowledge of military psychology, choose the most appropriate assessment methods and plan the psychological assessment process in order to set achievable psychological assessment goals according to the client's needs (a case description), as well as students apply the knowledge of military psychology to develop a plan of psychological counselling according to the set purpose of counselling.
Competencies:		Students independently develop a work plan for psychological assessment and psychological counselling on the basis of a case study, as well as select appropriate psychological assessment methods and psychological counselling strategies, evaluating limitations and observing ethical principles.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Laurence, H. J., Matthews, M. D. (2012). The Oxford handbook of military psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
2	Maheshwari, N., & Kumar, V. V. (2016). Military Psychology: Concepts, Trends and Interventions. New Delhi, India: Sage Publications Pvt. Ltd.
3	Ramchand, R., Ayer, L., Fisher, G., Osilla, K. C., Barnes-Proby, D., & Wertheimer, S. (2015). Suicide Postvention in the Department of Defense: Evidence, Policies and Procedures, and Perspectives of Loss Survivors. RAND Corporation.
4	Stephany, K. (2017). How to Help the Suicidal Person to Choose Life: The Ethic of Care and Empathy As an Indispensable Tool for Intervention. Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Additional Reading
1	Lawhorne-Scott, C., & Philpott, D. (2013). Military Mental Health Care : A Guide for Service Members, Veterans, Families, and Community. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
2	Stanton, N. (2011). Trust in Military Teams. Farnham, Surrey, England: CRC Press.
3	Wolfendale, J., & Tripodi, P. (2011). New Wars and New Soldiers : Military Ethics in the Contemporary World. Farnham, England: Ashgate.
Other Information Sources
1	Journal of Military Psychology
2	Psihologa profesionālās darbības jomu apraksts. Militārā psiholoģija. Pieejams no: 5.piel_.jomu-apraksti_IKVD_parskatits_29.08.2018.pdf