PYC4813 Assignment
3 PORTFOLIO
(COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 -
DUE 24 October 2025
NO PLAGIARISIM
[School]
[Course title]
,Exam (elaborations)
PYC4813 Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 24 October
2025
PYC4813 Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 24 October 2025;
100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
ASSIGNMENT 03 (PORTFOLIO) MODULE CODE: PYC4813 MODULE NAME:
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE ASSIGNMENT UNIQUE NUMBER: 851527 DUE DATE: 24
OCTOBER 2025 Instructions: • Font: size 12 • Font type: Times New Roman • Spacing: 1.5 •
DO NOT use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to answer the questions, as this constitutes
academic dishonesty and you will be referred for disciplinary hearing • NB! There should be
evidence that you consulted multiple sources for this assignment and there should not be over-
reliance on one source, failure to do so you will be penalised • Please ensure that all your work is
properly referenced and DO NOT use other people's words as if they are yours. Please follow the
APA 7th edition referencing guidelines. • Your paragraphs should not be aligned on the right, and
the first line of each paragraph must be indented on the left at 0.5 cm. Failure to do this, you will
be penalized. • Do not use/avoid unreliable sources such as Wikipedia • Ensure that you do not
cut and paste, instead use your own words or paraphrase and do not substitute words with
synonyms as this is still considered plagiarism. • Your assignment should be submitted in PDF
format • Please name your file in the following format i.e., PYC4813 Assignment 3_Name &
Surname_ Student number
Mr Mazibuko is a 25-year-old male who was brought to the local hospital by his aunt as both his
parents are deceased. The aunt reported that for the past year, he told her that he believes people
were out to get him, even though he has no enemies that she knows of. Reportedly, he says that
he also occasionally hears the voice of God. When she enquired, he told his aunt that the voice
told him that he is special. Mr Mazibuko also believes that he has a special channel of
communicating with world leaders and he would use this channel to have conversations with
them regarding how to bring about world peace. Additionally, he believes that he is in love with
a local celebrity even though the celebrity does not know him. He states that he would do
anything to protect the celebrity if anyone dared to say something bad about her. Sometimes, he
says that he feels like his brain is rotting. Since he started having these beliefs, Mr Mazibuko’s
personal hygiene has deteriorated significantly, and he has started withdrawing. He lost his job
and has found interacting with people difficult. During the intake session, the aunt reported that
at some point in his teenage years he briefly used cocaine, but he quickly stopped without having
to go to rehab and he no longer took any substances. He has no history of brain damage, hearing,
visual or nutritional deficits. However, his uncle on his paternal side is reported to have been
admitted in hospital once as he had a strong belief that when he was watching television the
people on television were talking about him. The aunt added that Mr Mazibuko was born
,prematurely at 7 months and, as a result, his birth weight was low. The aunt added that Mr
Mazibuko was born in winter, and his mother was sickly during the pregnancy, as well as
experiencing significant complications during his delivery. Mr Mazibuko was also referred for
neuroimaging and the report indicated that he had low grey matter volume in both the
hippocampus and frontal cortex, as well as his white matter volume being reduced, and his
ventricles were distended. However, among all these abnormalities, of significant concern was
the dysfunction of his prefrontal cortex. Following his reported concerns, Mr Mazibuko was also
referred for neuropsychological assessment. He was administered the Weschler Adult
Intelligence Scale Fourth Edition -South African Version (WAIS-IVSA), the Tower of London,
the Comprehensive Trail Making Test, the Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) and the Bender
Visuo-Motor Gestalt Test Second Edition (Bender-II). The results revealed the following:
difficulty sustaining focus, slowed mental tracking and shifting, reaction time and task
completion, difficulty holding and manipulating information temporarily and poor reasoning,
planning and conversational flow. Mr Mazibuko also struggled with cognitive flexibility,
decision-making and problem-solving. Additionally, he displayed impairment in initiating tasks,
shifting strategies and inhibiting inappropriate responses. He further struggled with encoding,
storing, and retrieving verbal, visual information and learned material.
Question 1: Cognitive Neuroscience Foundations (10 marks) 1.1 Define the term cognitive
neuroscience and explain how it applies to the assessment of Mr Mazibuko. Definition and
Application of Cognitive Neuroscience
Definition:
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of how mental processes—such as perception,
attention, memory, language, and reasoning—are represented and executed by the brain’s neural
systems. It bridges psychology and neuroscience by examining the relationship between brain
structures, neural activity, and cognitive functions (Gazzaniga, Ivry & Mangun, 2019).
Application to Mr Mazibuko:
Cognitive neuroscience applies directly to the assessment of Mr Mazibuko because his
symptoms suggest disturbances in both brain structure and cognitive functioning. The
neuroimaging results revealed low grey matter volume in the hippocampus and frontal cortex,
reduced white matter, and prefrontal cortex dysfunction, which align with the cognitive
deficits shown in his neuropsychological tests (e.g., poor reasoning, decision-making, planning,
and memory). These brain abnormalities help explain his delusional beliefs, impaired executive
functioning, and social withdrawal, which are common in disorders such as schizophrenia.
By integrating cognitive neuroscience, clinicians can understand how structural brain differences
contribute to Mr Mazibuko’s psychological symptoms—linking biological dysfunctions (e.g.,
, prefrontal abnormalities) to cognitive and behavioural outcomes (e.g., disorganised thought, poor
judgement, and impaired self-care).
1.2 Discuss why a biopsychosocial approach is useful when working with a case like Mr
Mazibuko’s.
Importance of a Biopsychosocial Approach
The biopsychosocial approach emphasizes that human behaviour and mental health result from
the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors (Engel, 1977). This framework is
particularly useful in complex cases like Mr Mazibuko’s because it allows for a holistic
understanding and treatment plan.
1. Biological factors:
Mr Mazibuko’s family history (his uncle’s psychotic episode), premature birth, low birth
weight, maternal illness, and structural brain abnormalities suggest strong biological
vulnerability to a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. Neuroimaging evidence supports
this, highlighting dysfunctions in regions linked to reasoning, memory, and emotional regulation.
2. Psychological factors:
His delusional beliefs (feeling special, communication with world leaders, belief in a celebrity
relationship) and cognitive impairments (poor executive functioning, memory problems) affect
his perception of reality and behaviour. His declining self-care and social withdrawal further
point to psychological distress and loss of motivation.
3. Social factors:
The loss of both parents, reliance on his aunt, unemployment, and isolation may have
exacerbated his symptoms and reduced social support. Early substance use (cocaine) might have
also contributed to neurochemical imbalances or stress-related vulnerability.
By considering these three domains together, clinicians can design comprehensive
interventions—including antipsychotic medication (biological), cognitive-behavioural
therapy (psychological), and family or community support programs (social)—to address Mr
Mazibuko’s needs more effectively than a single-domain approach.
References (APA 7th Edition)
Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science,
196(4286), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.847460
Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., & Mangun, G. R. (2019). Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of
the mind (5th ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.
3 PORTFOLIO
(COMPLETE
ANSWERS) 2025 -
DUE 24 October 2025
NO PLAGIARISIM
[School]
[Course title]
,Exam (elaborations)
PYC4813 Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 24 October
2025
PYC4813 Assignment 3 PORTFOLIO (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 24 October 2025;
100% TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
ASSIGNMENT 03 (PORTFOLIO) MODULE CODE: PYC4813 MODULE NAME:
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE ASSIGNMENT UNIQUE NUMBER: 851527 DUE DATE: 24
OCTOBER 2025 Instructions: • Font: size 12 • Font type: Times New Roman • Spacing: 1.5 •
DO NOT use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to answer the questions, as this constitutes
academic dishonesty and you will be referred for disciplinary hearing • NB! There should be
evidence that you consulted multiple sources for this assignment and there should not be over-
reliance on one source, failure to do so you will be penalised • Please ensure that all your work is
properly referenced and DO NOT use other people's words as if they are yours. Please follow the
APA 7th edition referencing guidelines. • Your paragraphs should not be aligned on the right, and
the first line of each paragraph must be indented on the left at 0.5 cm. Failure to do this, you will
be penalized. • Do not use/avoid unreliable sources such as Wikipedia • Ensure that you do not
cut and paste, instead use your own words or paraphrase and do not substitute words with
synonyms as this is still considered plagiarism. • Your assignment should be submitted in PDF
format • Please name your file in the following format i.e., PYC4813 Assignment 3_Name &
Surname_ Student number
Mr Mazibuko is a 25-year-old male who was brought to the local hospital by his aunt as both his
parents are deceased. The aunt reported that for the past year, he told her that he believes people
were out to get him, even though he has no enemies that she knows of. Reportedly, he says that
he also occasionally hears the voice of God. When she enquired, he told his aunt that the voice
told him that he is special. Mr Mazibuko also believes that he has a special channel of
communicating with world leaders and he would use this channel to have conversations with
them regarding how to bring about world peace. Additionally, he believes that he is in love with
a local celebrity even though the celebrity does not know him. He states that he would do
anything to protect the celebrity if anyone dared to say something bad about her. Sometimes, he
says that he feels like his brain is rotting. Since he started having these beliefs, Mr Mazibuko’s
personal hygiene has deteriorated significantly, and he has started withdrawing. He lost his job
and has found interacting with people difficult. During the intake session, the aunt reported that
at some point in his teenage years he briefly used cocaine, but he quickly stopped without having
to go to rehab and he no longer took any substances. He has no history of brain damage, hearing,
visual or nutritional deficits. However, his uncle on his paternal side is reported to have been
admitted in hospital once as he had a strong belief that when he was watching television the
people on television were talking about him. The aunt added that Mr Mazibuko was born
,prematurely at 7 months and, as a result, his birth weight was low. The aunt added that Mr
Mazibuko was born in winter, and his mother was sickly during the pregnancy, as well as
experiencing significant complications during his delivery. Mr Mazibuko was also referred for
neuroimaging and the report indicated that he had low grey matter volume in both the
hippocampus and frontal cortex, as well as his white matter volume being reduced, and his
ventricles were distended. However, among all these abnormalities, of significant concern was
the dysfunction of his prefrontal cortex. Following his reported concerns, Mr Mazibuko was also
referred for neuropsychological assessment. He was administered the Weschler Adult
Intelligence Scale Fourth Edition -South African Version (WAIS-IVSA), the Tower of London,
the Comprehensive Trail Making Test, the Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) and the Bender
Visuo-Motor Gestalt Test Second Edition (Bender-II). The results revealed the following:
difficulty sustaining focus, slowed mental tracking and shifting, reaction time and task
completion, difficulty holding and manipulating information temporarily and poor reasoning,
planning and conversational flow. Mr Mazibuko also struggled with cognitive flexibility,
decision-making and problem-solving. Additionally, he displayed impairment in initiating tasks,
shifting strategies and inhibiting inappropriate responses. He further struggled with encoding,
storing, and retrieving verbal, visual information and learned material.
Question 1: Cognitive Neuroscience Foundations (10 marks) 1.1 Define the term cognitive
neuroscience and explain how it applies to the assessment of Mr Mazibuko. Definition and
Application of Cognitive Neuroscience
Definition:
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of how mental processes—such as perception,
attention, memory, language, and reasoning—are represented and executed by the brain’s neural
systems. It bridges psychology and neuroscience by examining the relationship between brain
structures, neural activity, and cognitive functions (Gazzaniga, Ivry & Mangun, 2019).
Application to Mr Mazibuko:
Cognitive neuroscience applies directly to the assessment of Mr Mazibuko because his
symptoms suggest disturbances in both brain structure and cognitive functioning. The
neuroimaging results revealed low grey matter volume in the hippocampus and frontal cortex,
reduced white matter, and prefrontal cortex dysfunction, which align with the cognitive
deficits shown in his neuropsychological tests (e.g., poor reasoning, decision-making, planning,
and memory). These brain abnormalities help explain his delusional beliefs, impaired executive
functioning, and social withdrawal, which are common in disorders such as schizophrenia.
By integrating cognitive neuroscience, clinicians can understand how structural brain differences
contribute to Mr Mazibuko’s psychological symptoms—linking biological dysfunctions (e.g.,
, prefrontal abnormalities) to cognitive and behavioural outcomes (e.g., disorganised thought, poor
judgement, and impaired self-care).
1.2 Discuss why a biopsychosocial approach is useful when working with a case like Mr
Mazibuko’s.
Importance of a Biopsychosocial Approach
The biopsychosocial approach emphasizes that human behaviour and mental health result from
the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors (Engel, 1977). This framework is
particularly useful in complex cases like Mr Mazibuko’s because it allows for a holistic
understanding and treatment plan.
1. Biological factors:
Mr Mazibuko’s family history (his uncle’s psychotic episode), premature birth, low birth
weight, maternal illness, and structural brain abnormalities suggest strong biological
vulnerability to a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. Neuroimaging evidence supports
this, highlighting dysfunctions in regions linked to reasoning, memory, and emotional regulation.
2. Psychological factors:
His delusional beliefs (feeling special, communication with world leaders, belief in a celebrity
relationship) and cognitive impairments (poor executive functioning, memory problems) affect
his perception of reality and behaviour. His declining self-care and social withdrawal further
point to psychological distress and loss of motivation.
3. Social factors:
The loss of both parents, reliance on his aunt, unemployment, and isolation may have
exacerbated his symptoms and reduced social support. Early substance use (cocaine) might have
also contributed to neurochemical imbalances or stress-related vulnerability.
By considering these three domains together, clinicians can design comprehensive
interventions—including antipsychotic medication (biological), cognitive-behavioural
therapy (psychological), and family or community support programs (social)—to address Mr
Mazibuko’s needs more effectively than a single-domain approach.
References (APA 7th Edition)
Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science,
196(4286), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.847460
Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., & Mangun, G. R. (2019). Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of
the mind (5th ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.
