Psychopathology
PYC4802
Assignment 3
Essay guide with example essays
2025
Perfectionist Notes
PRIVATE TUTOR FOR HONOURS IN PSYCHOLOGY
helping you achieve your best results
Document Contains:
Instructions broken down
additional resources
3 different example essay
all resources summarized
referencing tips
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Plagiarism/distribution/selling/illegal use of this document will be prosecuted
Contents
1. Essay question .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Instructions ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
2.1. Document Format: ................................................................................................................................ 2
2.2. Document Structure: ........................................................................................................................... 2
3. Tut 101 2025 information .................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Downloadable Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 3
4.1. Prescribed 2025 textbook ..................................................................................................................... 3
4.2. Official DSM-5 textbook ........................................................................................................................ 3
4.3. Prescribed/recommended journal articles: .......................................................................................... 3
4.4. Additional Journal Articles .................................................................................................................... 3
5. Essay question analysed ....................................................................................................................................... 4
SECTION A .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
SECTION B........................................................................................................................................................... 9
SECTION C......................................................................................................................................................... 11
6. Structure of the essay based on the 2025 rubirc .......................................................................................11
7. Assignment template and ESSAY EXAMPLE .................................................................................................15
8. Summarised Resources: ......................................................................................................................................38
8.1. 2025 Prescribed textbook: .................................................................................................................. 39
8.2. DSM-5 Textbook summary: ................................................................................................................. 59
Points of interest from the prescribed articles: ...................................................................................................67
Article 1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 67
Article 2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 69
Article 3 ............................................................................................................................................................ 71
Article 4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 78
Article 5: ........................................................................................................................................................... 81
Article 6: ........................................................................................................................................................... 84
ESSAY EXAMPLE 1: ..........................................................................................................................................................86
Essay Example 2:........................................................................................................................................................... 100
9. APA 7TH EDITION REFERENCING GUIDE .......................................................................................................... 116
1
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Plagiarism/distribution/selling/illegal use of this document will be prosecuted
1. Essay question
ASSIGNMENT 3 - Theme: Borderline Personality Disorder
TITLE / QUESTION: (100 marks):
Discuss the challenges that are experienced by clinicians when assessing and
diagnosing borderline personality disorder and their applicability within the South
African context.
(100 marks)
a) Discuss the diagnostic criteria and hallmark features of Personality disorder
and Borderline Personality Disorder (20)
b) Critically discuss challenges that are experienced by clinicians in identifying and
diagnosing BPD and examine the relevance within the South African context (60)
c) Layout of the essay and using the correct APA referencing style and for
additional use of student’s own references (20)
2. Instructions
❖ Kindly note that Assignment 03 consists of a comprehensive answer to the question
on Personality Disorders: Borderline Personality Disorder.
2.1. Document Format:
❖ Length of essay content: 15 max
❖ Number your headings and subheadings (ensure the table of contents reflects your
essay content – numbered headings and subheadings)
❖ Number your pages
2.2. Document Structure:
❖ Cover page
❖ Table of Contents page
❖ Content of essay (15 max)
❖ Reference list
❖ Plagiarism Declaration
2
PYC4802
Assignment 3
Essay guide with example essays
2025
Perfectionist Notes
PRIVATE TUTOR FOR HONOURS IN PSYCHOLOGY
helping you achieve your best results
Document Contains:
Instructions broken down
additional resources
3 different example essay
all resources summarized
referencing tips
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Plagiarism/distribution/selling/illegal use of this document will be prosecuted
Contents
1. Essay question .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Instructions ................................................................................................................................................................ 2
2.1. Document Format: ................................................................................................................................ 2
2.2. Document Structure: ........................................................................................................................... 2
3. Tut 101 2025 information .................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Downloadable Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 3
4.1. Prescribed 2025 textbook ..................................................................................................................... 3
4.2. Official DSM-5 textbook ........................................................................................................................ 3
4.3. Prescribed/recommended journal articles: .......................................................................................... 3
4.4. Additional Journal Articles .................................................................................................................... 3
5. Essay question analysed ....................................................................................................................................... 4
SECTION A .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
SECTION B........................................................................................................................................................... 9
SECTION C......................................................................................................................................................... 11
6. Structure of the essay based on the 2025 rubirc .......................................................................................11
7. Assignment template and ESSAY EXAMPLE .................................................................................................15
8. Summarised Resources: ......................................................................................................................................38
8.1. 2025 Prescribed textbook: .................................................................................................................. 39
8.2. DSM-5 Textbook summary: ................................................................................................................. 59
Points of interest from the prescribed articles: ...................................................................................................67
Article 1: ........................................................................................................................................................... 67
Article 2: ........................................................................................................................................................... 69
Article 3 ............................................................................................................................................................ 71
Article 4: ........................................................................................................................................................... 78
Article 5: ........................................................................................................................................................... 81
Article 6: ........................................................................................................................................................... 84
ESSAY EXAMPLE 1: ..........................................................................................................................................................86
Essay Example 2:........................................................................................................................................................... 100
9. APA 7TH EDITION REFERENCING GUIDE .......................................................................................................... 116
1
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Plagiarism/distribution/selling/illegal use of this document will be prosecuted
1. Essay question
ASSIGNMENT 3 - Theme: Borderline Personality Disorder
TITLE / QUESTION: (100 marks):
Discuss the challenges that are experienced by clinicians when assessing and
diagnosing borderline personality disorder and their applicability within the South
African context.
(100 marks)
a) Discuss the diagnostic criteria and hallmark features of Personality disorder
and Borderline Personality Disorder (20)
b) Critically discuss challenges that are experienced by clinicians in identifying and
diagnosing BPD and examine the relevance within the South African context (60)
c) Layout of the essay and using the correct APA referencing style and for
additional use of student’s own references (20)
2. Instructions
❖ Kindly note that Assignment 03 consists of a comprehensive answer to the question
on Personality Disorders: Borderline Personality Disorder.
2.1. Document Format:
❖ Length of essay content: 15 max
❖ Number your headings and subheadings (ensure the table of contents reflects your
essay content – numbered headings and subheadings)
❖ Number your pages
2.2. Document Structure:
❖ Cover page
❖ Table of Contents page
❖ Content of essay (15 max)
❖ Reference list
❖ Plagiarism Declaration
2
