This course provides an overview of psychological disorders, their diagnostic classification, symptoms, causes, and treatments. Students will explore research methods in psychopathology and various therapeutic approaches. Emphasis is placed on understanding abnormal behavior from biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives and their impacts on individuals, families, and societies.
Prerequisite or Corequisite
PSYC& 100: General Psychology
Quarters Offered
Fall
Course Outcomes
- Describe the assessment, etiology, symptoms, and treatments of the major psychological disorders, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
- Students will be able to interpret major disorders such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma related disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and psychotic disorders at an introductory level.
- Compare, contrast, and integrate biological, psychological, and sociocultural explanations of behavior and describe the psychological theories and models for the field of psychopathology.
- Analyze the role society plays in the ways psychological disorders and abnormal behavior is perceived and treated.
- Articulate how social and cultural factors impact the expression of psychological disorders.
Institutional Outcomes
IO1 Communication: Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Course Content Outline
- Introduction, history, and theories pertaining to abnormal behavior and psychological disorders.
- Classification of disorders
- Clinical assessment and diagnosis
- Treatment approaches
- Research methods
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive and bipolar disorders
- Trauma and stressor related disorders
- Eating disorders
- Substance related disorders
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Personality disorders
- Ethics and legal issues
- Current trends and issues in psychopathology