Psychology

Course Information:

                                                  ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

                                                            Psychology (PSC) 168

                                                                    Spring, 2008

Professor Nolan Zane

268B Young Hall

Phone: 752-5419; E-mail: nwzane@ucdavis.edu

Office Hrs:  T 2:10-3, R 2:10-3 or by appointment

Teaching Assistant: Lauren Berger

146 Young Hall

Phone: 754-5910; E-mail: lkberger@ucdavis.edu

Office Hrs: MW 2:00-3:00 or by appointment

Course Description

The course examines the definition, assessment, prevalence, manifestation, etiology, and treatment of abnormal behavior.  The symptomatology and prevalence of various types of psychopathology are presented along with the most current theories and research on the possible causes of these disorders. Also discussed is research on the effectiveness of interventions and mental health services designed to treat a particular disorder. Specific issues addressed include the sociocultural context of normal and abnormal behavior, historical perspectives to abnormal behavior, empirical approaches to studying deviant behavior, the diagnostic classification system, differing models and theories of psychopathology, culture-bound syndromes, symptoms, etiology, and course of illness for each major mental health disorder, the development and evaluation of treatments for certain disorders, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of the mental health profession. Special emphasis is given to examining important ethnic, cultural, gender, and age influences on the patterns and symptoms of different types of mental health disorders and how issues of diversity may affect a person's response to mental health treatment and care. 

Course Requirements

1.         Regular class attendance and completion of required reading.

2.         A midterm exam (45% of course grade) and a final exam (55% of course grade) each involving multiple-choice questions.  The final exam will be cumulative. Grading will be done on a curve. Extra credit may be available.

Required Text:      Sue, D., Sue, D., Sue, S. (2006). Understanding abnormal behavior. (8th ed.). New York: Houghton & Mifflin.

Topics:   

Course Overview and Introduction

Definitions of Abnormal Behavior

Research Methods in the Study of Abnormal Behavior 

Models of Abnormal Behavior     

Assessment and Classification of Abnormal Behavior 

Anxiety Disorders 

Dissociative Disorders and Somatoform Disorders 

Psychological Conditions Affecting Medical Conditions  

Personality Disorders and Impulse Control Disorders  

Substance-related Disorders   

Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders 

Mood Disorders  

Suicide           

Schizophrenia: Diagnosis and Symptoms    

Schizophrenia: Etiology and Treatment   

Eating Disorders and Sleep Disorder   

Individual and Group Therapy      

Legal and Ethical Issues