Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Digital Technology Use in Psychology

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VPUPK_272
Branch of Science
Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts

Riga, Dzirciema Street 16, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

To improve and promote the acquisition of knowledge about the application of digital technology, information technology and digital telecommunications technologies in psychology, their possibilities, limitations and specifics. To develop the ability to apply digital technologies, information technologies and digital telecommunications technologies in providing psychological assistance and counseling. Critically evaluate the existing remote psychological interventions, summarize the methods for solving the selected problem in the specific target group, as well as choose the most suitable methods of providing psychological assistance.

Preliminary Knowledge

Knowledge of health psychology, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, psychometrics, psychological counselling acquired during Bachelor’s degree studies. Knowledge of health psychology theories and behaviour change acquired during Master’s degree studies.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students are familiar with the application of digital technology, information technology and digital telecommunications technology in psychology, their possibilities, limitations and specifics. Students define the nature of intervention and the main possible types of digital intervention in psychology, are familiar with the possibilities and limitations of digital intervention and remote counseling.

Skills

1.Students know how to use digital technologies, information technologies and digital telecommunications technologies in providing psychological assistance and counseling. Students are able to create a psychological assistance plan, integrating digital technologies, digital interventions; uses critical thinking abilities, analyzing the existing possibilities of digital technology application and interventions in the field of psychology, defines efficiency criteria and prerequisites; chooses the most appropriate methods of providing psychological assistance.

Competences

1.Students critically evaluate existing remote psychological interventions, collect methods for solving the selected problem in the specific target group, and also choose the most suitable methods of providing psychological assistance. Students evaluate digital opportunities in psychology and interventions based on the learned criteria; develops a methodology for solving the selected problem in the specific target group/client, based on the differentiated needs of the target group; critically evaluates the application possibilities of digital technologies and interventions in psychology, argues about its strengths and potential risks, offers solutions for mitigating the identified risks; uses technology in providing psychological assistance.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

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-
Make your practical contribution - both in a group and individually in the psychology of digital technologies in the content bank. Create a plan of psychological assistance according to the case of the client's difficulties, integrating into it several possibilities of application of digital technologies in psychological assistance. A mandatory requirement is the provision of feedback at the end of the study course in the e-environment - for the relevant study course.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
2.

Examination

-
-
The grade in this study course will be cumulative. It will consist of: - Attendance, small assignments, group assignments and activity in lectures/lessons (max. number of points 1). - Evaluation of group work (in groups of 3) on the application of digital technologies in psychology (max. number of points 2) - present/demonstrate 6-8 min for the group In the lesson, provide a summary of methods, interventions, tools with a detailed explanation of their application - Evaluation of the individual work on the application of digital technologies in psychology (max. number of points 2). Submit 1 intervention, method, application of a digital solution in psychology/psychological support, counseling, etc. description (title, author/s, year, country of development, target group, application, results, conclusions, reference to the source and/or specific article) - to be submitted in writing in the e-environment by a certain date. (volume 1-3 pages) - Evaluation of the final thesis (max. number of points 5) Final thesis framework - (in groups of 3) • Characteristics of the difficulties/problems of the selected client, demographic data (detailed, but focused only on what is relevant and essential for the provision of psychological assistance). • Psychological assistance plan (detailed for each consultation and with justification, as well as the goal of the specific consultation), integrated digital technologies in the provision of assistance (at least 3 digital solutions) - for potential and more successful achievement of the goal). • Justification of the chosen application of digital technologies for providing psychological support (why exactly for this case, client, difficulties, purpose). Duration of psychological support (its justification), description and justification of the applied method/methods, justification of the combination, at least one application of digital technologies is minimally included - justification. • Expected effectiveness (based on theoretical principles, research). • Limitations (articulated clearly and in detail). • Submitted final paper: Power Point presentation (15 min) presented on one of the dates of the final exam and submitted in e-environment (presented by one of the group members) Final exam: Papers must be submitted on the e-study platform, in the section - Practical work.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Introductory lecture. Use of digital technologies in psychology. Online counselling and web-based research. Opportunities and limitations of web-based interventions.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Introductory lecture. Use of digital technologies in psychology. Online counselling and web-based research. Opportunities and limitations of web-based interventions.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Remote psychological help and counseling
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Remote psychological help and counseling
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Remote psychological help and group counseling
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Remote psychological help and group counseling
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ethical, legal and data security aspects of remote psychological assistance and counseling
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Ethical, legal and data security aspects of remote psychological assistance and counseling
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Digital competence in the 21st century
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Digital competence in the 21st century
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Development of psychological intervention/psychological assistance
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Development of psychological intervention/psychological assistance
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Zane Gulbe, Ivans Jānis Mihailovs, Inese Paiča, Kirils Dubiņins, Tatjana Bergmane. (2021). Attālināta psiholoģiskā palīdzība un konsultēšana. Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte

2.

Cooper, S., Campbell, L., & Smucker Barnwell, S. (2019). Telepsychology: A Primer for Counseling Psychologists ψ. The Counseling Psychologist, 47(8), 1074-1114.

Other Information Sources

1.

Zinātniskie raksti no EBSCO, PUBMED, SCIENCE DIRECT datu bāzēm

2.

Journal of Health Psychology