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Unit of study_
PAIN5011: Psychology of Pain
2024 unit information
This unit aims to provide a comprehensive study of current psychological perspectives and research on the experience and impact of pain. Theoretical models are introduced and the ways in which psychological processes might modify and/or maintain pain experience are explored. The processes explored include the roles of attention, learning, affect/mood, beliefs, self-talk, coping strategies, and interactions with environmental factors such as significant others, social contingencies and contexts (including culture, gender, workplace, etc.). Attention is given to incorporating psychosocial assessment within a biopsychosocial framework.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Discipline of Pain Medicine |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Collaborate and communicate with peers to share knowledge and ideas and explain concepts
- LO2. Describe the main psychological models of pain clearly, demonstrating understanding
- LO3. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each model (referring to empirical findings in the published literature)
- LO4. Discuss how psychological variables could cause pain, modulate pain, and maintain pain
- LO5. Demonstrate familiarity with key psychological assessment methods
- LO6. Discuss the possible relationships between pain and psychopathology, as well as issues concerning the use of DSM-IV diagnostic categories with chronic pain conditions
- LO7. Discuss the ways in which social, cultural and interpersonal contexts could influence the experience and impact of pain
- LO8. Identify important areas for future research.
Unit availability
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