Course Description
This course is an introduction to abnormal psychology. The student is introduced to the concept of psychological abnormality, the DSM classification system for diagnosing disorders and paradigms for interpreting data regarding psychological disorders. Students can expect to increase their awareness of the therapeutic approaches to psychological disorders and the different assumptions behind specific therapies.
Topic Outline
1. David Rosenhan’s “On Being Sane In Insane Places”
2. Defining Psychological Disorders
3. Etiological Models and Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
4. Assessment and Classification of Psychological Disorders (i.e., DSM-5-TR)
5. Research Methods for Studying Psychological Disorders
6. Anxiety Disorders
7. Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
8. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
9. Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
10. Dissociative Disorders
11. Depressive Disorders
12. Bipolar and Related Disorders
13. Suicide
14. Eating Disorders
15. Substance-Related and Other Addictive Disorders
16. Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
17. Neurocognitive Disorders
18. Sexual Dysfunctions
19. Gender Dysphoria
20. Paraphilic Disorders
21. Personality Disorders, including the traditional and newer, alternate diagnostic method
22. Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence (e.g., ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder)
23. Law and Ethics in Abnormal Psychology