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Introduction to Psychological Disorders (PSYC 2250)
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Credits:
3
Description:
This course expands on General Psychology by providing detailed descriptions and analyses of mental disorders and their treatments. You will review personality theories that underly the many explanations of psychological disorders and examine the symptoms, etiology, and treatment of those disorders. You will learn about psychological assessment and diagnostic procedures in scientific, social, and cultural contexts. You will explore social, ethical, cultural and legal issues related to the mental health field, especially in regard to the treatment of mental illnesses.
Topical Outline:
1. Introduction to psychological disorders
2. Major theories of disorders: psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, and biological
3. Symptoms and origins of psychopathology
4. Diagnosis and assessment of psychological disorders (neurodevelopmental, mood, anxiety, trauma, somatic, eating, dissociative, psychotic, substance-related, sexual, and personality).
5. Treatment of psychological disorders
6. Legal issues related to psychological disorders
Learning Outcomes:
1. Evaluate major historical and contemporary theoretical and treatment perspectives associated with the field of abnormal psychology and apply psychological constructs to understand and improve intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intercultural dysfunction (e. g. case studies)
2. Identify principal research methods and types of questions that emerge in the science of abnormal psychology
3. Distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior and describe the epidemiology, etiology, assessment, symptoms, and scientifically validated treatments of specific psychological disorders
4. Identify the characteristics, strengths and limitations of the current diagnostic system (DSM)
5. Describe how diversity in age, race, culture, gender and class is related to understanding psychological processes
6. Explain how psychologists use their understanding of the APA (American Psychological Association) Ethics Code and legal system to guide decisions in clinical and legal situations
Prerequisites:
PSYC 1110
MnTC:
Goal 5