Learning Objectives
5 objectives- Understand the historical development, definitions, and cultural considerations in abnormal psychology.
- Analyze major theoretical perspectives and their application in understanding abnormal behavior.
- Examine diagnostic criteria and classification systems, focusing on DSM-5 and cultural influences.
- Identify symptoms, causes, and treatments of major psychological disorders including anxiety, mood, psychotic, trauma-related, eating, substance-related, and personality disorders.
- Evaluate evidence-based psychosocial and pharmacological interventions used in treatment of psychological disorders.
Content Outline
PreviewUnit 1849: Abnormal Psychology
1. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
- History of Abnormal Psychology
- Early perspectives and treatments
- Evolution of the field
- Definitions and Concepts
- What constitutes 'abnormal' behavior?
- Criteria: deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger
- Approaches to Studying Abnormal Behavior
- Clinical observation, case studies, experimental methods
- Cultural Considerations
- Cross-cultural variability in definitions and manifestations
- Culture-bound syndromes
- Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness
- Social stigma and its impact on individuals
- Strategies to reduce stigma
2. Theoretical Perspectives in Abnormal Psychology
- Biological Perspective
- Genetic, neurochemical, and neuroanatomical factors
- Psychodynamic Perspective
- Freud’s theory, unconscious conflicts
- Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
- Role of thoughts, learning, and behavior
- Sociocultural Perspective
- Influence of social, cultural, and environmental factors
3. Classification and Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
- Structure and organization
- Criteria for diagnosis
- Assessment Process
- Clinical interviews, psychological testing, observation
- Reliability and Validity of Diagnosis
- Inter-rater reliability
- Validity challenges
- Cultural Factors Influencing Diagnosis
- Cultural formulation interview
- Avoiding cultural bias
4. Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Symptoms and diagnostic criteria
- Etiology and risk factors
- Treatment approaches
- Panic Disorder
- Features and symptomatology
- Biological and psychological causes
- Management and interventions
- Phobias
- Specific phobias, social anxiety disorder
- Behavioral models and treatments
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Obsessions and compulsions
- Neurobiological underpinnings
- Therapeutic strategies
5. Mood Disorders
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Symptoms and diagnostic features
- Biological, psychological, and environmental risk factors
- Treatment modalities: psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy
- Bipolar Disorder
- Types and diagnostic criteria
- Neurobiological influences
- Management and long-term care
6. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
- Overview of Schizophrenia
- Positive and negative symptoms
- Cognitive deficits
- Etiology
- Genetic, neurodevelopmental, and environmental factors
- Neurobiological Factors
- Brain structure and neurotransmitter abnormalities
- Treatment Approaches
- Antipsychotic medications
- Psychosocial interventions
- Impact on Individuals and Society
- Social stigma, disability, and support systems
7. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Diagnostic criteria and symptom clusters
- Neurobiological and psychological effects of trauma
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Distinctions from PTSD
- Other Trauma-Related Conditions
- Coping Mechanisms and Resilience
- Therapeutic Strategies
- Cognitive processing therapy, EMDR, pharmacotherapy
8. Eating and Feeding Disorders
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Symptoms and medical complications
- Psychological and sociocultural risk factors
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Behavioral characteristics and health consequences
- Binge-Eating Disorder
- Diagnostic features
- Feeding Disorders
- Body Image Issues
- Treatment Modalities
- Nutritional rehabilitation, psychotherapy, family therapy
- Prevention Efforts
9. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
- Substance Use Disorders
- Definitions and diagnostic criteria
- Biological, psychological, and social factors
- Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol
- Gambling Disorder and Other Behavioral Addictions
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Treatment Approaches
- Detoxification, behavioral therapies, pharmacological treatments
- Relapse Prevention
10. Personality Disorders
- Overview and Classification
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Symptoms and diagnostic criteria
- Etiology and treatment
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Diagnostic Challenges
- Treatment Approaches
- Psychotherapy modalities
11. Psychosocial Interventions and Therapeutic Approaches
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Humanistic and existential approaches
- Behavioral Interventions
- Exposure therapy, reinforcement strategies
- Pharmacological Treatments
- Classes of psychiatric medications
- Other Therapeutic Techniques
- Group therapy, family therapy, mindfulness
- Emphasis on Evidence-Based Practices
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