PSYC 432 – Abnormal Psychology

Description Abnormal psychology refers to the study of behaviors and mental illnesses that are unusual and atypical. It primarily deals with major mental and behavioral disorders, or conditions and illnesses that detract from an individual’s mental, emotional, and behavioral health, which negatively affects or limits their life experience. This course will be divided into two parts. The first part, which will be about 30% of the course, will examine basic concepts and definitions, historical perspectives, theoretical models, and research methods for studying mental disorders. The remaining 70% will examine the leading categories of mental disorders in adults, including the leading description and classification, theories and evidence explaining their origins, assessment, and some treatment options.

Learning outcomes

• • • Obtain a firm foundation in the major diagnostic categories.
    • Learn the different theoretical models explaining the causes of mental disorders.
    • Describe how assessment is done and evidence-based methods of treatment.
    • Gain an understanding of the complexity of human behavior in the hopes of reducing the
      suffering and stigma associated with mental illness.

Course descriptions may be subject to occasional minor modifications at the discretion of the instructor.

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