Stigma can have a severe impact on people’s lives.

Discuss how Social Anxiety Disorder condition is stigmatised, and how this stigma affects individuals.
For this essay, you should concentrate on using high quality research literature to support your assertions. The quality of evidence you present will contribute to your mark. By high-quality research, we mean scientific journal articles that are published in peer-reviewed journals. For example, this could be experimental research, randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analysis. You are expected to engage in independent learning in this module and making time to read studies like those mentioned above will greatly strengthen your understanding of this area. Drawing on this in your assignment will also contribute to a better-quality essay. You will be awarded marks based on your ability to select and integrate different lines of argument and evidence from across the module. Remember that a good essay does more than describe evidence. To demonstrate critical reflection, you should also draw on the strengths and limitations of the evidence you use to make an informed conclusion. Marks will also be awarded for structure, clarity and coherence. As with any work, you should be using regular citations and referencing. You must reference in APA if you are a Psychology student.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Further Guidance for Question
For essay question you are expected to provide an account of how this condition have been conceptualised and treated at different points in history, and how this relates to stigma as well as current research on this condition is viewed differently by the general population. You are then expected to discuss such public stigma for one condition and how stigma affects the individual. There is no set structure, and you are free to organise your essay in a way that suits you best. However, it is recommended that you begin by a brief overview of the condition and stigma. Discuss public stigma and its impact on the individual. You should discuss psychological theories and high-quality research findings when discussing public stigma. You should include how stigma is conceptualised and measured, what research found about the specific stigma towards the condition (Social Anxiety Disorder), and what research found how stigma affects the individual, including consequences of stigma. Your conclusion should summarise your essay and clearly state an overall position on public stigma and its effects for the chosen condition.

2. Rationale for assignment
The assessment will test your ability to: 2.1. Write a high-quality essay. 2.2. Make links across concepts on the course. 2.3. Understand and integrate methods and theory. 2.4. Provide a strong justification for your idea based on research evidence.

Recommended reading:
Author Title Publisher ISBN Davey, G.C. Psychopathology: Research, Assessment and Treatment in Clinical Psychology John Wiley & Sons 1119679184
Carr, A. Clinical Psychology: An Introduction Routledge 0415683971

Referencing:
• Absolutely no SimplyPsychology, VeryWell Mind, MayoClinic references.
•Prioritise clinical trials, randomised controlled trials, experimental studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses
•Unpublished theses or dissertations can be used but ensure you demonstrate your awareness that they are not ‘high quality’ research.
• Other acceptable sources are books/ trusted websites (e.g. NICE guidelines)
•Avoid unregulated websites (e.g. blogs).