PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND LIBERAL ARTS

GSP508 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
JAN – APR 2021

As part of the course requirements, students are required to complete FOUR (4) assignments
(review paper, reaction paper, SWOT analysis and group presentation). The detailed guideline
of the assignments is stated as below.

1. Review Paper (20%)

- This is an individual assignment that requires students to critically review and reflect
on the controversies, as well as pros and cons of the following issues:
a) Combined treatment modalities (psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy) for
drug addicts
b) Prescription privileges to clinical psychologists
- Your discussion of each issue above should cover:
a) A comprehensive review of current up-to-date body of literature/ research on
the topic (in the last 10 years).
b) Your personal stance on the issue and justification.
c) 3 research questions on the topic (based on the gaps identified in your
literature review).
- Length: 6 pages; APA format
- Due: 22/02/2022
Evaluation will be based on breadth and depth of relevant discussion, critical evaluation
of current research and literature on the issues at hand, as well as independent thinking
that shows evidence-based reasoning.

2. Reaction Paper (10%)

- Watch a movie. reflect any scene from movie related to medication aspects
- Your reaction paper should be 2-3 pages and should evidence your critical thinking
about this program with respect to what you have learned in the course to date and
how this informs your own drug policies with your clients. You are encouraged to
see this with a critical eye and be thoughtful about your commentary. You may wish
to pose a critical question and attempt to answer that, or show how the theme of the
program might occur in clinical practice as well as how these issues will impact your
choices as a clinician.
- Length: 2-3 typed pages, standard APA format
- Due: 08/03/2022

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 PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
3. S.W.O.T. Analysis (10%)
- This is an individual reflection and critique paper based on your experience with
drug addict(s).
- Due to COVID-19 pandemic, you may substitute visitation with online interview.
You are expected to interview people with drug abuse/ addiction background or
the manager of the drug rehabilitation program/ center. You will need to source
out on your own and seek permission to interview people who have drug abuse/
addiction background.
- After the interview, you are to write up a S.W.O.T. Analysis (i.e., Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) of the drug rehabilitation program or any
drug-related services. In addition, you are to give a short summary on the major
lessons you have learned from this experience. A good paper is one that
combines both emotional/ experiential reflections with critical thinking skills.
- Your paper should consist of the following sections:
i. Part I
 Brief description of the drug rehabilitation program
ii. Part II
 SWOT analysis in a 4-column (2x2) grid (8%)
iii. Part III
 Major lessons learned (application to own personal and
professional development) – may be presented in regular text
format or point-form (2%)
- Length: no more than 2 pages. Font size: 12. Single spacing is fine but please
ensure ease of reading/ marking.
- You may integrate this information in your group presentation later.
- Due: 22/03/2022

4. Group Presentation (20%)

- This is a creative project to facilitate students to integrate and synthesize what you
have learned from readings and experiential exposure. You are to work together to
collect data from relevant sources to eventually produce a proposal on how best to
assist individuals with substance abuse/ addiction problems and prevent relapse.
[You may identify a specific substance to focus on or deal with the issue in general.
Either way, your presentation must demonstrate your understanding and appreciation
of a particular (or various) drug’s effects on people.] In addition, your proposal
should demonstrate awareness and understanding of the current scenario in Malaysia
(prevalence, services, treatment methods and responses, policies, gaps/needs, etc.), as
well as the current evidence on the effectiveness and efficacy of intervention/
prevention strategies.
- Based on your comprehensive review of the information above, design an
intervention program/ project/ strategy etc. that you think would work in Malaysia
(describe your conceptual plan and also specific ways to implement and measure the
outcome of your proposed intervention). Feel free to be imaginative, although your
proposed plan should still be practical enough and relevant to the socio-political and
cultural context in Malaysia and to the Malaysian people. You are strongly
encouraged to consult Kiritz (1980) to learn the format and content of a good
proposal.
- Each group (consisting of 5 persons per group) will be given 20-25 minutes to
present their proposal, followed by 5-10 minutes Q&A. presentations will take place
proposal summary
introduction on Due Date : 29/03/2022. 05/04/2022
problem statement or assessment of need
programme objectives
description of methods to accomplish the objectives
project evaluation plan 2
future funding requirements for long-term programmes (when applicable)
preliminary budget
 PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
5. Drugs Summary Note (Bonus Mark up to 5 marks)
- Student can pair up to prepare the summary note for the following medications:
i. Antidepressant medications
ii. Bipolar medications
iii. Antianxiety medications
iv. Antipsychotic medications
- Outline the following information in your summary note:
i. Classification of drugs
ii. Common prescriptions
iii. Mechanism of action
iv. Side effects
v. Warnings & Precautions
vi. Possible interaction with other drugs
e.g., Antidepressants
Class/Types Common Mechanism Side Effects Warnings & Possible
prescription of Action Precautions Interaction with
Other Drugs

Selective Fluoxetine Inhibit…. Indigestion… Pregnancy, SSRI + NSAIDs

Serotonin (Prozac), breastfeeding… (e.g.,
Reuptake Escitalopram ibuprofen) > can
Inhibitors (Lexapro) cause bleeding/
(SSRIs) bruising

- Due: week 13 and 14th

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FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND LIBERAL ARTS
Review Paper (20%)
Criteria Novice
Summary Insufficient explanation of
(5%) journal articles, and/or
insufficient description of
strategies for supporting it.
Insufficient description of text’s
organization and presentation.
(0-1)
Analysis Exhibit little or no evidence of
(15%) effective thinking about the
topic.
Poor to no attempt to present the
weaknesses or strengths of the
text; no obvious criteria for
evaluation.
Poor to no attempt to put text in
context. (0-2)
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
GRADING RUBRIC
Apprentice
Presents journal articles, but
may not provide sufficient
description of strategies for
supporting it.
Describes organization and
presentation of text, but may
need more details. (2)
Exhibit some faulty logic, and/or
stereotypical or superficial
thinking about the topic.
Insufficient attempt to present
the weaknesses or strengths of
the text; evaluative criteria are
unclear.
Insufficient attempt to put text in
context. (3-7)
Proficient
Presents journal articles and
describes strategies for
supporting it.
Describes organization and
presentation of text. (3-4)
Exhibits some clarity, though
only minimal depth of thought
about the topic.
Makes some attempt to present
the weaknesses or strengths of
the text; evaluative criteria are
used.
Places text in context. (8-12)
Expert Points
Clearly presents journal articles
and describes strategies for
supporting it.
Clearly and succinctly describes
organization and presentation of
text. (5)
Exhibits clarity, complexity,
perceptiveness, originality, and
depth of thought about the topic.
Provides clear evaluation of
text’s weaknesses or strengths;
evaluative criteria are unique
and interesting.
Puts text in meaningful context
when interpreting it. (13-15)
Total
4

Reaction Paper (10%)
Criteria 0-2
Depth of Response demonstrates a
Reflection lack of reflection on, or
personalization. Viewpoints
and interpretations are
missing, inappropriate,
and/or unsupported.
PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
3-4
Response demonstrates a
minimal reflection on, and
personalization. Viewpoints
and interpretations are
unsupported or supported
with flawed arguments.
5-7 8-10 Points
Response demonstrates a Response demonstrates an
general reflection on, and in-depth reflection on, and
personalization. Viewpoints personalization. Viewpoints
and interpretations are and interpretations are
supported. insightful and well
supported.
Total
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 PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
S.W.O.T. Analysis (10%)

Criteria 1 2 Points

Strengths List is not comprehensive enough or it contains Comprehensive and realistic list that states the
strengths that are not realistic. basis for the program/ center’s competitive edge.

Weaknesses Comprehensive and realistic list that states areas Comprehensive and realistic list that states areas
in which the program/ center struggles. in which the program/ center struggles and
provides a solution to correct the weakness.

Opportunities Comprehensive and realistic list of well thought- Comprehensive and realistic list of well thought-
out opportunities for profit and growth. out opportunities for profit and growth. Provides
plan for realizing the opportunities.

Threats Comprehensive and realistic list that state the Comprehensive and realistic list that state the
threats that may affect the program/ center’s threats that may affect the program/ center’s
competitive edge. competitive edge. Provides solutions to meet
those threats head-on.

Lessons learned Writing does not demonstrate application to Writing demonstrates application to own
own personal and professional development. personal and professional development.

Total

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 PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Group Presentation (25%)

Criteria 1 2 3 4 Points

Content Presentation contained
little to no valuable
material. (0-3)
Presentation had moments
where valuable material was
present but as a whole
content was lacking. (4-7)
Presentation had a good
amount of material and
benefited the class. (8-11)
Presentation had an
exceptional amount of
valuable material and was
extremely beneficial to the
class. (12-15)

Proposed Interventions are irrelevant Interventions are identified Proposed interventions are Proposed interventions are
intervention or are currently available. (0- but may not be appropriate. appropriate to Malaysia practical and very relevant to
1) (2-4) context. (5-7) Malaysia context. (8-10)

Total

Bonus marks:
Creativity/ Visual Aid Points Possible Points Earned
A handout, diagram, etc. is provided that illustrates/organizes
presented information for the audience in a creative, clear and 2
“user-friendly” manner.
Total

Grand Total:

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 PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Summary note - Bonus (5%)

Criteria 0 1 2-3 4-5 Points

Summary Summary is extremely Summary is inaccurate, Summary is reasonably summary is

limited or not included. missing main ideas/points accurate (some minor accurate, well organized,
errors). coherent and well written.
Includes main idea/most
important points.

Total