PSY6750 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
3 Credit Hours
Student Level:
This course is open to students on the college level in either Freshman or Sophomore year.
Catalog Description:
PSY6750 - Abnormal Psychology (3 hrs.)
An introductory study of behavior pathologies. Emphasis will be on background and causes; Patterns abnormal behavior; also modern treatment and prevention methods.
Course Classification:
Lecture
Prerequisites:
General Psychology or instructor approval
Controlling Purpose:
The study of abnormal behavior in our increasingly complex world is necessary for each individual. Abnormal Psychology offers a view of the background of maladaptive behavior; patterns of abnormal behavior and causes; and a better understanding of abnormal behavior in the world around us. Such understanding will encourage the student a greater compassion for the emotionally and psychologically impaired. This is especially important for those individuals majoring in psychology or preparing to work in the service sector.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will begin to develop an understanding of the effects of normal/abnormal behavior in everyday life. They will also begin to develop the ability to recognize normal/abnormal behavior in everyday life, develop skill in the evaluation of popular theories of abnormal psychology; perspective background of abnormal behavior; pattern/cause of abnormal behavior; and the treatment of abnormal behavior. Finally, the student will learn to research psychological literature and evaluate sources of information.
Core Outcomes:
The learning outcomes and competencies detailed in this course meet, or exceed the learning outcomes and competencies specified by the Kansas Core Outcomes Project for this course, as sanctioned by the Kansas Board of Regents.
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following outline defines the minimum core content, not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other material as time allows.
UNIT 1: Personal Management Skill
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Attends class on a regular and timely basis
- Written work displays material discussed in class in a clear, concise manner with few grammatical errors
- Oral participation in class reflects clear, concise, thought out views
- Completion of assignment is on or before the due date
- Interpersonal skills reflect the ability to work with large and small groups to reach a common goal
- The implications of abnormal psychology to personal lives and careers are realized, as well as the individual contributions to community and society through service learning
UNIT 2: Historical Background
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- List various aspects of the relationship between genetics and psychopathology
- Describe and analyze the multiples perspectives and definitions of abnormal behavior
- List and describe the common myths concerning abnormal behavior and the facts that refute them
- Be able to differentiate between various biogenic and psychodynamic views of abnormal psychology
- Describe changes that occurred in the treatment of abnormal behavior from Greece to the present
UNIT 3: Models of Abnormal Behavior
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Define various aspects of the relationship between genetics and psychology
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of psychodynamic models
- Define the basic characteristics and concepts of the behavioral models
- Identify the elements of and differences between classical and operant conditioning principles
- Identify and describe the primary concepts of the family systems model
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the behavioral and family systems model
UNIT 4: Assessment and Classification
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Describe the historical development of classification and assessment schemes
- Describe the development and features of the DSM-IV
- Identify the primary objections to classification schemes including the issue of gender bias
- Describe the various assessment procedures including personality tests and intelligence tests, including the strengths and weaknesses of both types
- Identify and discuss the ethical issues associated with assessment
UNIT 5: The Scientific Methods/Ethical Issues
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify the major components of experiments and their purpose
- List and describe the various types of studies; their characteristics and limitations
- Identify and describe the ethical issues involved in conducting research and APA’s ethical guidelines
UNIT 6: Anxiety Disorders
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify and describe the anxiety disorders
- Identify causes and treatments for anxiety disorders including drug therapy, cognitive and behavioral therapy, and group or family therapy
- Identify ways in which anxiety disorders are manifested in modern society
UNIT 7: Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify and describe the basic characteristics of dissociative disorders
- Identify causes and treatment options for dissociative disorders from different theories
- Identify possible causes and treatments for somatoform disorders
UNIT 8: Mood Disorders
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify and describe the mood disorders and be able to distinguish them from normal mood changes
- Describe and identify the cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms of mood disorders
- Differentiate among major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorders, and cyclothymia
- Compare and contrast theories of depression and treatments for depression
UNIT 9: Suicide
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Describe the sociocultural, psychological and biological factors associated with suicide
- Discuss the research associated with suicide among various groups
- Discuss the moral, ethical, and legal implications of the right to die
UNIT 10: Eating Disorders
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify and describe disorders of eating including anorexia and bulimia
- Identify causes including cultural causes; of eating disorders
- Identify generally accepted treatments for anorexia and bulimia
UNIT 11: Substance-Related Disorders
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify and describe the scope of addictive disorders and their incident
- Identify and describe biological, social, psychological and long/short term effects of substance abuse
- Evaluate the various treatment programs and their guiding principles; assess effectiveness
UNIT 12: Stress and Gender Identity Disorder
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify and describe gender identity disorders, their etiology, and treatment
- Describe and discuss the various sexual disorders and dysfunctions
- Identify and describe the phases of sexual response in relation to sexual desire disorders in men and women
- Identify the role of pornography in sex crimes, understand the victim and abuser behavioral responses
UNIT 13: Schizophrenia
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify and describe the symptoms used to define and diagnose schizophrenia, including the thought disturbances and communication problems that characterize the disorder
- Identify the different types of schizophrenia and their symptoms
- Identify and discuss positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia
- Identify the phases of this disorder, treatments, and possible causes
UNIT 14: Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Describe major disorders in childhood and adolescence including childhood anxiety, childhood depression, disruptive disorders, and attention-deficit disorders with and without hyperactivity
- Identify characteristics of long-term childhood disorders such as autism and mental retardation
- Identify treatment options for families
UNIT 15: Disorders of Aging and Cognition
Outcomes: Upon Completion of this unit, students will be able to successfully…
- Identify and describe disorders in later life, including depression and anxiety and how they are culturally related
- Understand the incidence of substance abuse disorders and suicide in later life
- Identify and compare delirium and dementia; know the characteristics of each
- Identify issues in today’s society that affect the mental health of the elderly
Textbook:
Contact Bookstore for current textbook.
Materials/Equipment Required:
None
Attendance Policy:
Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Grading Policy:
The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.
Maximum class size:
Based on classroom occupancy
Course Time Frame:
The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission, and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching, and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.
Refer to the following policies:
402.00 Academic Code of Conduct
263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades
403.00 Student Code of Conduct
Disability Services Program:
Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability. If a student has a disability which may impact work in this class, which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.
DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.
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