THE WORLD OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
TELECOURSE
Instructor: Malinda Jo Muzi
Department of Psychology
Office: W3-6
Phone: 215-751-8570
Information about the course will be sent to you throughout the semester through e-mail. It is imperative that you have access to an e-mail account. Upon receiving this syllabus, please send me your e-mail address. If you move or change your phone numberduring the semester, be sure to let me know. Here is the way to reach me: or
IMPORTANT: Send me an e-mail of your e-mail address so that I will have it for my records. Also include the phone numbers by which you can be reached. Here is how your e-mail should read:
Course ____________
Name ________
Email __________
Phone Numbers ______________
I have your addresses but if there is any changes or if you signed up for the course late, include your address.
Welcome to the world of abnormal psychology. In choosing to take this telecourse you have presented yourself with a challenge, one that will require great discipline and hard work. As your instructor, I am here to help you every step of the way. We will get together on a number of occasions and I will correspond with you throughout the semester. Be sure to log on to my web page to see exam review questions, interesting links, and other information for this course.
Mrs. Muzi’s Web Page: http://faculty.ccp.cc.pa.us/faculty/mmuzi/
Text: UNDERSTANDING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR
Authors: Sue, Sue and Sue
Should have study guide included at no extra cost.
VIDEO LESSONS
The video package for this course consists of a total of 13 lessons; each video lesson is 1 hour long. The programs are shown on WHYY, Channel 12. You should watch one program per week to keep up with the course. The video you watch may not correspond directly to the text but it will eventually. Channel 53, if you have cable TV, usually repeats the series. You’ll have to check your local listings for the times.
When you set your VCR, be sure you set it for the correct day, after midnight.
THE BROADCAST SCHEDULE CAN BE FOUND ON THE COLLEGE DISTANCE LEARNING SITE.
The Grading System: Your grade will be based upon the midterm exam, the final exam, and a journal assignment.
Exams: There will be a midterm and a final exam. Each will be preceded by a review session. Each exam will consist of 60-75 multiple-choice questions, based on the videos and the text. The Midterm will cover the content of the program and reading assignments for programs 1 through 6. The final will cover the content of the programs and reading assignments from programs 7 through 13.
Journal Assignment : A journal of all the programs will be handed in on the night of your final exam. It will consist of a brief summary of each program watched and a discussion of one main thing you learned from that program. Note one experiment that was of particular interest to you in each program. Discuss why you made your choices. How was each program relevant to you?
*** Your journals must be neatly typed. Pages are to be stapled. Be sure to include a cover page with your name on it. Do not turn in a hand-written journal. Journals will not be accepted late.
Grades: The exams will be worth 80% of the course grade. The journal will count for 10%. Coming to the review sessions will be worth 10%.
BE SURE TO CHECK THE REVIEW AND EXAM DATES ON THE DISTANCE LEARNING SITE. Mark these on your calendar immediately. Don’t forget. Telecourses are not easy. In fact it takes a lot of discipline and dedication to get through all the films and the text.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ATTEND THE REVIEW SESSIONS, AS THIS WILL HELP YOU PASS THE COURSE. IT IS MY EXPERIENCE THAT STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ATTEND THE REVIEW CLASSES HAVE A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TIME PASSING THE COURSE.
If you want your midterm or final grades sent to you after taking the exams, send me an email message asking for the grade and I will send it to you through cyberspace.
BRING A NO. 2 PENCIL TO THE MIDTERM AND FINAL!!!
Course Outline
Here is a list of the programs and their corresponding textbook pages.
Program I Looking at Abnormal Psychology
The First Interview
The Practionioners
Psychological Testing
Theoretical Models
Goals and Objectives:
§ Define abnormal behavior.
§ Discuss why it is important to understand brain pathology when looking at abnormal behavior.
§ Know the difference between clinical assessment and diagnosis.
§ Identify the professionals who might be involved in assessment and treatment.
§ Know the major theoretical perspectives of abnormal behavior.
§ Explain the kinds of data that is gathered by psychological tests.
Assignment: Chapters 1 and 2
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Program II The Nature of Stress
Heightened Stress
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Coping with Stress
Goals and Objectives
§ Describe chronic and acute causes of stress
§ Identify biological and psychological stress reactions
§ Discuss what is known of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Assisgnment: Pages 190 to 204
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Program III Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Hyochondriasis
Causes of Anxiety Disorders
Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Goals and Objectives
§ Describe the symptoms of the various anxiety disorders.
§ Discuss the causes of the specific anxiety disorders
§ Understand treatment programs for these disorders.
Assignment: Chapter 5
Program IV Psychological Factors and Physical Illness
Coronary Heart Disease
Migraine Headache
Cancer
Goals and Objectives
§ Discuss how lifestyle leads to physical illness
§ Understand the effects of the various treatment programs.
§ Understand the pharmacology procedures that are used in treating these disorders.
Assignment: Pages 204-218
Program V Personality Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Goals and Objectives
§ Describe the features of the various personality disorders
§ Discuss what is known of the biological, psychological and sociocultural factors underlying personality disorders.
§ Evaluate the success of psychotherapy in treating personality disorders
Assignment: Chapter 8
Program VI Substance Abuse Disorders
Alcohol Abuse
Cocaine Abuse
Nicotine Abuse
Goals and Objectives:
§ Discuss the genetic, psychological and social factors underlying substance abuse disorders. .
§ Describe the symptoms experienced by substance abusers.
§ Describe the treatment programs related to each of the major substance abuse disorders
Assignment: Chapter 9
Program VII Sexual Disorders
Sexual Deviations (Paraphilias)
Sexual Dysfunction
Causes of Sexual Disorders
Treatment for Sexual Disorders
Goals and Objectives:
§ Describe the major sexual disorders.
§ Summarize the results of research concerning the biological and psychosocial causes of gender identity disorders.
§ Explain why homosexuality has been removed from the list of recognized sexual disorders.
§ Discuss the treatments available for sexual disorders
Assignment: Chapter 10
Program VIII Mood Disorders
Depressive Disorders
Bipolar Disorders
Causes of Mood Disorders
Treatment of Mood Disorders
Goals and Objectives:
§ Describe the various forms of mood disorders.
§ Discuss the biological and psychological factors underlying mood disorders
§ Discuss the causes of suicide
§ Describe the treatments available for mood disorders
Assignment: Chapter 11
Program IX The Schizophrenias
Patterns of Schizophrenia
Paranoid
Undifferentiated
Catatonic
Disorganized
Residual
Treatment of Schizophrenia
Goals and Objectives:
§ Describe the symptoms that characterize each type of schizophrenia
§ Give reasons for the difficulty in defining schizophrenia behavior
§ Summarize the results of research on the neurophysiological of schizophrenia
§ Summarize the treatment programs for schizophrenia
Assignment: Ch. 14
Program X Neuropsychological Disorders
Injury
Alzheimer’s Disease
Korsakoff’s Syndrome
Goals and Objectives
§ List the basic causes of brain damage.
§ Describe the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Korsakoff’s syndrome.
§ Discuss the treatments for neuropsychological disorders.
Assignment: Chapter 15
Program XI Behavior Disorders of Childhood
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Autism
§ Describe the various developmental disorders of childhood
§ What are the biological, psychological and social factors leading to these disorders
§ Discuss learning disabilities and their causes
§ Summarize what you know of the treatment of behavior disorders of childhood.
Assignment: Chapter 16
Program XII Psychotherapies
Psychodynamic Therapy
Cognitive-Behaviorial Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Couples Therapy
Group Therapy
Goals and Objectives
§ Describe the basic treatments and their techniques
§ Discuss the various biological interventions
§ Define and discuss drug treatments in psychotherapy
§ What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different treatment programs
Asssignment: Chapter 17
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Program XIII An Ounce of Prevention
Early Childhood: The Avance Project
Adolescence: The Social Development Project
Adulthood: The Michigan Jobs Project
Old Age: Austin Groups for the Elderly
Goals and Objectives
§ Discuss the various intervention programs.
§ Explain the history and problems associated with deinstitutionalization
§ Understand the role of the government in the mental health field.
Assignment: Chapter 18
MIDTERM REVIEW QUESTIONS
Here are review questions for Programs I through VI. Research the answers to these questions and you are likely to do well in the midterm.
§ What is the goal of the field of abnormal behavior?
§ What are the various background and roles of the people who study abnormal behavior?
§ What is the criteria for considering someone abnormal?
§ How does culture fit into the definition of abnormal behavior?
§ What is Thomas Szasz’s belief about abnormal behavior?
§ Discuss the Midtown Manhattan Study of the 1950’s and the National Institute of Mental Health epidemiological study in the 1980’s.
§ Understand the various models of abnormality: biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanist, family systems, and multi-cultural.
§ What does Freud mean by id, ego and superego?
§ Know Freud’s defense mechanisms.
§ What are the symptoms of anxiety?
§ What is a panic attack?
§ How does genetics contribute to anxiety?
§ What medications are used to treat anxiety?
§ What are the categories of a phobia?
§ Define posttraumatic stress disorder.
§ What is the difference between a psychosomatic disorder and a psychophysiological disorder?
§ What special problems do the Hmong’s have?
§ What is the general adaptation theory of Hans Selye?
§ How do life events and change play into symptoms of abnormal behavior?
§ What is the effect of emotional states on one’s health and particular illnesses such as AIDS or cancer?
§ How does personality influence health? What types of people are most likely to get sick?
§ What is a personality disorder?
§ What is the difference between a paranoid, schizoid, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic and dependent personality?
§ What is an obsessive-compulsive disorder?
§ What are the characteristics of people who are antisocial personalities? What is their backgrounds?
§ What is the prognosis for people who are antisocial?
§ Define substance-related disorders? In what age group are they most common?
§ What does the research show about teens and smoking marijuana?
§ What are withdrawal symptoms like?
§ What are the effects of smoking marijuana or taking heroin.
§ Is alcoholism inherited?
§ What are the cultural differences in regard to alcohol consumption?
§ How successful are drug treatment programs?
§ What causes drug use?
§ Why do people smoke?
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FINAL EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
Here are review questions for Programs VII through XIII. Research the answers to these questions and you are likely to do well in the midterm.
§ What are the most common sexual disorders? What are their symptoms?
§ What are the phases of the sexual response cycle?
§ What are the symptoms of depression?
§ What are the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder?
§ What neurotransmitters are implicated in mood disorders? How do they influence mood?
§ What are the treatment options for depression?
§ What is the link between the menstrual cycles and depression?
§ What is the difference between the various antidepressants?
§ What causes post-childbirth depressions?
§ What is anhedonia?
§ What is the difference between a delusion and a hallucination?
§ Who is most likely to become depressed? Who is lest likely?
§ What are the symptoms of schizophrenia? Who is likely to get it?
§ Why is schizophrenia different than other psychotic disorders?
§ What are the various types of schizophrenia? How do they differ?
§ What are the therapy options for schizophrenics? Are they successful?
§ What is meant by cognitive disorders? Which are most common?
§ What is dementia? What are the symptoms of dementia?
§ What stressors face children in the US?
§ What do we mean by behavioral disorders?
§ What is a conduct disorder? What is ADHD? What is oppositional defiant disorder? What is separational anxiety disorder? What are the causes of these disorders?
§ What is Down’s syndrome? What is it’s cause?
§ What is the difference between antidepressant and antianxiety medications?
§ How reliable are ‘natural” remedies in mental health?
§ Which drugs are effective in treatment?
§ Why is psychosurgery still done today?
§ What are the principles of psychodynamic therapy?
§ Why is “mental illness” rarely used today as a term?
§ What is the legal position on mental illness? How do we judge for courtroom purposes?
§ How do people come to be committed to a mental facility?
§ Are mentally ill people more likely to commit serious crimes than ordinary people?
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