PSY 219 - Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

4 Credit(s)

Prerequisite(s): BT 113 or WR 115 or designated placement, and PSY 201

Corequisite(s): PSY 202

Course Description: Introduces the psychology of abnormal behavior and its possible causes, along with an examination of the history and modern practice of mental health treatment, including legal issues such as insanity and civil commitment. Students will explore the nature of abnormality and examine social and cultural factors as well as specific disturbances in behavior, mood, thinking, and perception which have defined abnormality, past and present. Special problems of research with the clinical population and major theoretical models for assessment, diagnosis and treatment will also be studied. Specific topic areas include disorders of childhood and adolescence, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, disorders of trauma and stress, disorders featuring somatic symptoms, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders.

Course Level: Lower Division Collegiate

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO#1: Define abnormal behavior according to a variety of major theories.
CLO#2: Describe common methods of assessment and diagnosis, including the classification scheme of the DSM 5.
CLO#3: Identify behaviors and conditions that meet the diagnostic criteria for a variety of psychiatric disorders; recognize various manifestations of these symptoms. (ILO: Information Literacy)
CLO#4: Identify strengths and limitations of a variety of treatment methods for psychiatric conditions, including historical treatments as well as those currently in practice.
CLO#5: Identify current directions in research on pathology, assessment, or treatment of psychiatric disorders.