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Unit of study_

PAIN5011: Psychology of Pain

Semester 1, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Unit code PAIN5011
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Claire Ashton-James, claire.ashton-james@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Claire Ashton-James, claire.ashton-james@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Bradley Wood, bradley.wood@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Structured online discussion and written reflection
Online discussion and written reflection task
30% Multiple weeks a. Week 2 to Week 13; b. 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Short essay
Essay
30% Week 08 1500-2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Topic review
Review
40% Week 13 2500-3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1a. Structured online discussion and 1b. Written reflection: This discussion activity is conducted from Week 2 to Week 13. Your messages must build on the contributions that other students have made and/or open up a new thread of discussion. Students need to review their contribution to the discussion and evaluate their best four contributions to the online discussion. Students must submit these contributions with a short statement outlining why and how they provide a good illustration of their contribution to the discussion.
     
  • Assignment 2. Short essay: Guidelines for early management of acute injuries often say that primary health care providers should consider the presence of yellow flags only if the patient is not improving as fast as expected. Students are required to discuss the risks and potential benefits of this approach.
     
  • Assignment 3. Topic review: Four topics will be provided for students to consider. Choose one of the topics provided to answer.
     

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Meets the unit requirements to an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Meets the unit requirements to a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Meets the unit requirements to a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Meets the unit requirements to an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalties for late submission will be applied in accordance with the University Assessment Procedures, 2011 (Clause 7A).

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Orientation Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 01 Online Introduction Online class (8 hr) LO1
Week 02 Module 1: Early intervention to prevent chronicity Online class (20 hr) LO2 LO4 LO7
Week 04 Module 2: Psychological comorbidities Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Module 3: Multimodal interventions Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 08 Module 4: Social aspects of pain Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7
Week 10 Module 5: Learning and pain Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 12 Module 6: Cognition and pain Online class (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Active participation in online discussion forums is a compulsory activity for completion of this unit of study. It is expected that students will contribute unique content and/or reflections on other students’ postings at least twice per week.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit of study. All required readings are available online via Canvas and the University Library.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was offered

Disclaimer

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