Course Outline for Psychology 6Page 1

ChabotCollege

Course Outline for Psychology 6Page 1

Fall 2010

Chabot CollegeFall 2010

Course Outline for Psychology 6

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

Catalog Description:

6 — Abnormal Psychology3 units

An overview of the field of abnormal psychology. Introduces students to the major classifications of mental health disorders from the perspective of symptoms and behavior, causes, diagnosis and treatment. Examines historical, socio-cultural and contemporary understanding of mental illness. Includes disorders of mood, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse, personality and other disorders in adults and children.

Strongly recommended: Eligibility for English 1 A. 3 hours.

[Typical contact hours: 52.5]

Prerequisite Skills:

None

Expected Outcomes for Students:

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1.identify the history of approaches to definitions, causes and treatments of human problems currently labeled as "mental illness;"

2.demonstrate knowledge of past and present theories of mental illness;

3.demonstrate knowledge of various medical and psychosocial treatment models and research designed to test the efficacy of these models;

1. summarize the most commonly used methods of assessment of abnormal behavior;
2. compare and contrast the major symptoms, diagnostic criteria, causes, and treatments of different psychological disorders;
3. distinguish how the DSM-IV diagnostic system classifies psychological disorders and know the difference between categorical and dimensional classification systems.

Course Content:

1.Historical and Contemporary Views of Abnormal Behavior:

a.Defining abnormality

b.Changing historical attitudes toward mental health

c.DSM-IV definition of mental disorder

d.Cultural sensitivity in abnormality

e.Epidemiology of mental illness

f.Research approaches in abnormal psychology

2.Causal Factors and Viewpoints:

a.Diathesis-stress model

b.Biological causal factors

c.Psychosocial perspectives

3.Clinical Assessment

a.Classification

b.Assessment interviews and tests

c.Mental health professionals

4.Stress and Adjustment Disorders

a.Stress coping responses

b.Biological effects of severe stress

c.Post-traumatic stress disorder

d.Prevention and treatment of stress disorders

5.Panic, Anxiety Disorders

a.Specific and Social Phobias

b.Panic disorder

c.Generalized Anxiety disorder

d.Obsessive-Compulsive disorder

e.Causal factors

f.Treatment

6.Mood Disorders and Suicide

a.Unipolar Mood disorders

b.Causal factors in mood disorder

c.Beck’s cognitive theory

d.Bipolar disorders

e.Biological and psychotherapy treatments

7.Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders

a.Somatization disorder

b.Pain disorder

c.Body dysmorphic disorder

d.Dissociative disorders

e.Dissociative Identity disorder

8.Eating Disorders and Obesity

a.Anorexia Nervosa

b.Bulimia Nervosa

c.Risk and causal factors in eating disorders

d.Treating eating disorders

9.Personality Disorders

a.Categories of Personality disorders

b.Antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy

c.Treating personality disorders

10.Addiction Disorders

a.Prevalence, comorbidity and demographics of addiction disorders

b.Biological causal factors in alcohol dependence and other substances

c.Psychosocial causal factors in alcohol dependence and other substances

d.Treatment of alcohol and drug abuse disorder

11.Sexual Variants, Abuse, and Dysfunctions

a.Sexual and Gender variants

b.Gender Identity disorder

c.Sexual abuse

d.Sexual dysfunction

12.Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

a.Epidemiology of Schizophrenia

b.Clinical picture in Schizophrenia

c.Subtypes of Schizophrenia

d.Causes of Schizophrenia

e.Treatment and clinical outcomes

13.Cognitive Disorders

a.Brain damage and impairment

b.Alzheimer’s disease

c.Dementia from HIV-1 infection

d.Treatments and outcomes

14.Health Problems and Behavior

a.Psychological factors in health and disease

b.Life-style factors in health and illness

c.Personality characteristics

d.Treatments and outcomes

15.Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

a.Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder

b.Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct disorder

c.Anxiety disorders of childhood and adolescence

d.Childhood depression

e.Autism and Learning disabilities

f.Causes, symptoms and treatments

16.Therapy

a.Pharmacological approach

b.Psychological approach

17.Contemporary and Legal Issues in Abnormal Psychology

a.Challenges for the future

Methods of Presentation:

1.Lectures on major themes and concepts

2.Readings from texts, supplementary materials, primary source materials

3.Discussion and problem solving of significant or controversial issues

4.Written assignments

5.Utilization of video and/or CD-ROM excerpts

6.Student-led presentations

7.Demonstrations and simulations

1. Application of concepts to personal experiences

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1.Typical Assignments

1. Reading and Discussion:

1)Read Chapter 2, “Understanding the Causes of Abnormal Behavior,” Butcher, pp. 36-60. Be prepared to identify, compare and contrast key causal factors and theoretical perspectives, including Biological, Psychosocial and Sociocultural.

2)Read Chapter 1, "Research Approaches in Abnormal Psychology," Butcher, pp. 22-29. Be prepared to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different research designs in the study of behavior.

1. Writing:

1)Research and write a paper pertaining to one of the primary topic areas discussed in this course. Use the library resources to find supporting peer-reviewed research articles. Cite references in APA format.

2)After viewing a selected video, such as Three Faces of Eve,be prepared to write a short paper on the portrayal of an individual with dissociative identity disorder. In your paper reference relevant facts about the disorder, including diagnostic criteria, possible causes, treatment and outcome.

c.Collaborative Learning

1)Working as a small group, you will evaluate case studies presented at the beginning of class. Evaluate the issues presented by the client and the approaches undertaken by the therapist and propose alternative approaches that could have been taken in assessment and treatment.

2)Class will be divided into groups, with each group representing one of the four major perspectives, including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and biological perspective. You will diagnose and recommend treatments from your assigned perspective, for a number of presented illnesses, such as fear of spiders, fear of speaking in public, inability to stop washing one’s hands, and a constant state of anxiety.

2.Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Participation in multiple class discussions or small group projects
2. Several essay or opinion papers
3. Chapter quizzes and/or midterm examinations
4. One final examination
5. Presentation or project

Textbook(s) (Typical):

Abnormal Psychology Core Concepts, Butcher, J.N., Mineka, S., and Hooley, J., Pearson, AllynBacon, New York, 2008,1st edition.

Abnormal Psychology, Comer, Ronald J.Worth Publisher, New York, 2010, 7th edition.

Abnormal Psychology, Sarason, Irwin G., Sarason, Barbara R., Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey,2008, 11th edition.

Special Student Materials:

Computer access

PSY 6, revised 9/09: cs