Abnormal Psychology

Course Objectives

• Discuss the elements characterizing abnormality and the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in diagnosis.
• Describe the major historical theories of the study and treatment of abnormal behavior, including animistic, psychodynamic, behaviorist, cognitive and neuropsychological approaches.
• Understand the major biological systems involved in normal and abnormal behavior, including the roles played by hormones and neurotransmitters, the functions of major parts of the brain, and the roles played by genes and the environment.
• Describe the symptoms and etiology of and treatments for the most common anxiety and dissociative disorders, including fears, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatoform disorders, dissociative amnesia and dissociative identity disorder.
• Discuss the causes and treatment of the major mood disorders (major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder) and understand the links between these disorders and suicide.
• Be familiar with the most common childhood disorders and be aware of the controversy surrounding the diagnosis of many of them, especially attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
• Be conversant with the symptoms of the most common personality disorders, especially antisocial personality disorder.
• Understand schizophrenia's major symptoms, subtypes, associated brain and neurotransmitter abnormalities, and current treatments and their side effects.
• Know the five layers of sexuality, as well as the possible origins of sexual identity, sexual orientation, sexual interests and sex roles.
• Be conversant with current treatments for sexual disorders and dysfunctions.
• Differentiate the symptoms and etiology of the most common late onset disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease, and vascular dementia.
• Discuss the Selye and Lazarus models of stress and coping and to describe the roles psychological factors play in physical illnesses such as peptic ulcers, coronary heart disease and death from cancer.
• Understand how different classes of psychoactive substances affect brain functioning and how the use of these drugs can lead to addiction.
• Discuss the most common treatments for substance abuse.
• Describe the major standards for involuntary commitment and for finding a person not guilty by reason of insanity, and understand why there is an uneasy relationship between psychology and the law.

What You Learn

• Conceptions of mental illness
• Neuroscience approaches to understanding psychopathology
• Research methods
• Assessment and classification
• Disorders of childhood
• Schizophrenia
• Mood Disorders
• Stress, trauma and psychopathology
• Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Dissociative, somatic symptoms and eating disorders
• Sexuality disorders and gender dysphoria
• Substance-related, addictive and personality disorders
• Neurocognitive disorders
• The law and mental health

How You Learn

• Reading assignments
• Self-study questions
• Written assignments
• Discussion forums
• Midterm exam
• Final exam

Is This Course Right for Me?

If you work with clinical populations or are planning to do so in the future, or are seeking professional advancement or personal interest, this course can provide invaluable background information, as well as a comprehensive view of the social, emotional, physical and cognitive aspects of abnormality.

Empathy is Key to Understanding Mental Health

Let’s move beyond the stigma to learn about abnormal psychology

"Our field is ever-changing. As we gain new insights, the study and practice of abnormal psychology remains mysterious, dynamic and complex, reluctantly disclosing its secrets. The field of clinical psychology affords many opportunities to work in different clinical settings and subspecialties. You can see this in my education and career path."

Learn more about instructor Dr. Rhodri Scantlebury.