PSYC 2021 - Abnormal Psychology

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab None
Course Description: This course is an introduction to the diagnosis, causes, and treatments of psychological disorders. Students will learn the descriptions and prevalence of major disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), as well as their theoretical causes and associated treatments. The role of culture and diversity in mental illness will also be explored. Some of the disorders that will be studied in detail include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, eating disorders, addictive disorders, schizophrenia, developmental disorders, and personality disorders.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science, 7 Human Diversity

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 1020  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 1020  with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content

1. Abnormal psychology in a historical context
2. An integrative approach to abnormal psychology
3. Research methods
4. Clinical assessment and diagnosis
5. Anxiety disorders
6. Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
7. Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
8. Depressive, bipolar, and related disorders
9. Dissociative disorders
10. Somatic symptom and related disorders
11. Feeding and eating disorders
12. Sexual dysfunctions and gender dysphoria
13. Sleep-wake disorders, physical disorders, and health psychology
14. Substance-related and addictive disorders
15. Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders
16. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
17. Neurocognitive disorders
18. Personality disorders
19. Mental health services: ethical and legal issues

1. distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior.
2. identify research methods and types of questions that emerge in the science of abnormal psychology.
3. evaluate major historical and contemporary theoretical and treatment perspectives associated with the field of abnormal psychology.
4. identify the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of the current diagnostic system (DSM).
5. describe the epidemiology, etiology, assessment, symptoms, and scientifically validated treatments of specific psychological disorders.
6. describe how aspects of diversity (including age, race, culture, sex, and class) are related to understanding psychological processes.
7. explain how psychologists use their understanding of the APA Ethics Code and legal system to guide decisions in clinical and legal situations.
8. apply psychological constructs to understand and improve intrapersonal, interpersonal and intercultural dysfunction (e. g. case studies).

05. 02. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.

05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
Competency 2 (7-10)
07. 02. Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.

07. 03. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.

07. 05. Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.

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