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

Military Psychology I

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VPUPK_288
Branch of Science
Clinical Psychology; Psychology
ECTS
6.00
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, 5 J. Asara Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

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.

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.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.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

1.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.

Competences

1.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.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual 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.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
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%).

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Organisation of professional activities of a military psychologist.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Organisation of professional activities of a military psychologist.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Military leadership, unit psychological climate, individual and unit operational efficiency.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Military leadership, unit psychological climate, individual and unit operational efficiency.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Military leadership, unit psychological climate, individual and unit operational efficiency.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Military leadership, unit psychological climate, individual and unit operational efficiency.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Specifics of psychological counselling in the military field: individual counselling and group counselling.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Specifics of psychological counselling in the military field: individual counselling and group counselling.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Specifics of psychological counselling in the military field: individual counselling and group counselling.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Specifics of psychological counselling in the military field: individual counselling and group counselling.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

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.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

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.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

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.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

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.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Etiology of mental disorders. Methods of psychological help for different groups of clients/patients.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Etiology of mental disorders. Methods of psychological help for different groups of clients/patients.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Etiology of mental disorders. Methods of psychological help for different groups of clients/patients.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Etiology of mental disorders. Methods of psychological help for different groups of clients/patients.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Etiology of mental disorders. Methods of psychological help for different groups of clients/patients.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The role of pain, its measurement, physiology and neurochemical basis. Acute and chronic pain. Assessment and prevention (management) of chronic pain. Pain control techniques.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The role of pain, its measurement, physiology and neurochemical basis. Acute and chronic pain. Assessment and prevention (management) of chronic pain. Pain control techniques.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The role of pain, its measurement, physiology and neurochemical basis. Acute and chronic pain. Assessment and prevention (management) of chronic pain. Pain control techniques.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The role of pain, its measurement, physiology and neurochemical basis. Acute and chronic pain. Assessment and prevention (management) of chronic pain. Pain control techniques.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Interim test.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
48 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

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