PSY 420 – Applied Psychology: Case Study Report

Institution

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – Department of Psychology

Assessment Type

Case Study Report (Individual Submission)

Length

4–6 pages (approximately 1,500–2,000 words)

Weight

35% of final course grade

Due Date

Week 5, Sunday 11:59 PM (PST) – Submit via Canvas

Assessment Description

This assessment requires an in-depth case analysis of an individual or group experiencing psychological challenges that demonstrate the application of theory to real-life contexts.
You will critically analyse behavioural, emotional, and cognitive aspects of the case, incorporating relevant psychological theories, diagnostic frameworks, and intervention strategies.
The goal is to show advanced understanding of applied psychological concepts and the ability to evaluate treatment planning within ethical and cultural parameters.

Instructions

1. Select a case—either real (anonymised with consent) or drawn from peer-reviewed literature—that demonstrates a measurable psychological condition or phenomenon. Suitable examples include:
   • Major depressive disorder in an adult client following loss
   • Social anxiety and avoidance behaviour among university students
   • Post-traumatic stress in first responders
   • Adjustment disorder in cross-cultural relocation
2. Provide a clear case background: demographic details, presenting problem, psychosocial context, and relevant history.
3. Identify two theoretical perspectives (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Humanistic Theory, Psychodynamic Theory, or Biological Model) to interpret the behaviour and underlying mechanisms.
4. Assess potential diagnostic criteria using DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 frameworks, providing justification for classification.
5. Discuss possible interventions or treatment plans, considering ethical standards and cultural competence.
6. Integrate at least five peer-reviewed sources to substantiate theoretical and empirical claims.

Formatting and Submission

• APA 7th edition formatting
• 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced
• Include title page, page numbers, and reference list
• Submit electronically via Canvas (Turnitin enabled)

Marking Criteria / Rubric

Criterion	Weight	Description
Case Context and Clarity	20%	Provides a coherent and comprehensive description of the case with relevant background and psychosocial context.
Theoretical Application	30%	Applies psychological theories effectively to interpret cognitive, behavioural, and emotional dimensions.
Critical Analysis and Evaluation	25%	Demonstrates critical insight, logical reasoning, and evidence-based interpretation of interventions or outcomes.
Ethical and Cultural Considerations	15%	Reflects awareness of ethical codes and cross-cultural variables affecting treatment and assessment.
Academic Writing and Research Integration	10%	Shows clarity, coherence, proper APA referencing, and engagement with credible academic sources.

Learning Outcomes

• Integrate psychological theories into applied case analysis.
• Demonstrate critical reasoning in psychological assessment and interpretation.
• Evaluate intervention strategies and ethical dimensions of practice.
• Communicate professionally in written academic form.

Cognitive Behavioral Theory provides a structured approach to interpreting the client’s persistent anxiety. Negative automatic thoughts—such as self-deprecating evaluations and catastrophic predictions—maintain a cycle of avoidance and physiological arousal. Beck’s model suggests that identifying these distortions through guided questioning can reframe maladaptive cognitions, reducing symptom severity.
Empirical evidence supports this framework, showing CBT’s efficacy in university-aged populations for both short-term symptom relief and long-term cognitive restructuring.

Academic Integrity Statement

All work must comply with UCLA’s Academic Integrity Policy. Any submission containing unacknowledged material or unauthorised assistance will be subject to disciplinary review.

• Beck, J. S. (2020). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

• Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2019). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 43(3), 230–240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-018-10083-7

• American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., Text Rev.). APA Publishing.

• Kazdin, A. E. (2018). Research design in clinical psychology (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

• Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2021). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Wiley.