Psychology 350: Abnormal Psychology
San Diego State University (Spring2014)
Room ENS-280 Time: TTH 5:30-6:45
Instructor: Katherine Turner Office: LS-155
Email: katherine.turner@gmail.com
Office Hours: (by appointment)
Psychology Department Phone: (619) 594-5358 (can leave
message)
Graduate Teaching Assistants:
Jess Godfrey godfreyj84@gmail.com
Jordan Zuberjordan.zuber8272@gmail.com
Please set an appointment with a GA to review quizzes, grades, and assignments.
Undergraduate assistants:
Cassandra Cala cassie91693@aol.com
Kevin Chao requiesce@yahoo.com
Please set an appointment for study tips and concept review with Undergraduate TA’s.
Welcome to Abnormal Psychology! Together, we will be exploring mental health.
Students will become familiar with the most prominent theoretical ideas
concerning mental health. Students will become familiar with the latest research
on assessment, changes to the DSM, treatment, and cultural differences in mental
health. The major domains of functioning covered include social interactions and
emotional functioning, cognitive adaptations well as physiological , and
biological abnormalities underlying disorders. A key feature of this course is
how processes in these different domains interact to influence an individual’s
overall adaptation. A key goal of this course is to place mental health processes
in context.
PSY 350 Course & Learning Objectives:
If you pick up the New York or LA Times, The Boston Globe, or any major Newspaper,
you are likely to come across headlines such as: “Depressed People Have a More
Accurate Perception of Time”; “Effective treatment helps Danes with Personality
Disorder”; “Junk food in pregnancy linked to childhood mental disorders” or
“'Biological signal' of suicide risk found in blood?” Our goal in this course is to
increase your understanding of the research behind the headlines, so that you can be a
better consumer of the growing body of knowledge surrounding Abnormal Psychology.
This course provides an overview of the psychological disorders of across the
lifespan, including their diagnosis, etiology, and treatment. Emphasis is on
empirical research methods and findings, although case examples and general
theoretical perspectives are covered as background.
By the end of the course you will have examined and discussed or applied what
you have learned to:
1. Discuss trends in the triggers, onset, symptoms, course, and populations
associated with each disorder.
2. Broadly classify abnormal behavior in both categorical (DSM IV) and
dimensional assessment (DSM V) systems
3. Describe the diathesis-stress model of psychopathology and apply this general
conceptual framework to the major psychological disorders
4. Define “evidence-based treatment” in mental health and evaluate whether
specific therapies meet these criteria for scientific support
COURSE TEXTS: Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, 6th Edition, Durand & Barlow
Case Studies in Abnormal Behavior, Meyer, Chapman, and Weaver
1) Man's search for meaning by Victor Frankl
2) The psychopath Inside by James Fallon
Office Hours: Office hours will be set by appointment. My office is located at
the address listed at the top of this syllabus in the Life Sciences Building. If you
want to see me, please email me to set up an appointment. Please feel free to ask
questions via email. I check my email regularly during the day and will try to
respond as quickly as possible to your questions. My email address and phone
number are listed on the top of this syllabus.
Attendance: Regular attendance is strongly recommended. Students should
note that quiz material will come primarily from lecture material, presented
media, and the textbook. If you cannot attend class, it is highly recommended
that you borrow notes from another student in the class. I DO NOT SEND OUT
COPIES OF MISSED MATERIAL.
Class Format: The class format will consist primarily of daily lecture, videos, and
CD-ROM lab demonstrations. Students are encouraged to ask questions during
lecture. Also, please let me know if I am going too fast. If any material from the
lecture or the reading is unclear, please do not hesitate to ask for clarification. It
is also recommended that students read the assigned readings prior to the
associated lecture. Doing so will create a foundation for lecture material and will
allow you to follow the lectures more easily. I also would strongly recommend
bringing your lecture outlines and Powerpoint slide printouts to class (see below
for details on downloading these items).
Blackboard: A Blackboard site has been created for this course at the following
address: https://bb91.sdsu.edu/webapps/login/. Student can log onto the site
using their Red ID and pin. Students can use Blackboard for downloading all
lecture outlines and select PowerPoint slides for each lecture. It is recommended
that students download the items for each lecture and bring them to class. The
outlines and handouts will make it easier for students to follow the lecture and
take notes. Grades also will be available on Blackboard. Please note that grades
from Assignments will be posted as soon as possible but due to the class size it
may be two weeks between assignment completion and the posted grade for a
given assignment.
Course Requirements: You will take 5 quizzes and a Final Exam this Semester.
Your Test grade will be based on four non-cumulative quizzes and one
cumulative Final Exam. Each quiz is worth 50 pts and the Final Exam is worth 75
points. Quizzes will cover material from lectures, movies, class discussion, and
the assigned reading, thus attendance and thoughtful consideration of class
discussions will likely be of benefit when taking quizzes. All students should
take the quizzes at the date and time specified in the syllabus.
THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES. However, your grade will be
determined by totaling the number of points you have earned from your four
highest exams. That is, I will throw out the score from your lowest exam when
calculating your final grade. Thus, if you need to miss an exam because of illness
or other personal emergency, I will throw out the zero you earned on that exam
when calculating your final grade. Please use this option carefully as there will
be no make-up exams.
Written Assignments
In addition to Quizzes, you will have 3 written assignments. All written
assignments are expected to be based on the reading from the textbook and
articles/chapters posted on Blackboard. Any additional information added by
the student to the Assignments must be cited from lectures or the
Durand/Barlow textbook. Occasionally written assignments ask for your
opinion. The assumption of this class is that your opinion is based, not on a
feeling but on the material you have learned during the semester.
In-class participation
Part of your grade is based on working in groups and completing in-class
practice quizzes. This part of your grade is designed to help you assess your
understanding of the material and your ability to work with others to increase
your understanding of the material. Missing these points will severely impact
your grade.
Course Web Site: Updates to the syllabus, announcements, office hours, and
lecture outlines will be posted on our Blackboard website which is accessible
through your web portal.
Students with disabilities:
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in
this class are encouraged to contact the Academic Resource Center as soon as
possible to ensure that such accommodations can be implemented in a timely
fashion
Religious Observances: The University Policy File includes the following
statement on Absence for Religious Observances: By the end of the second week
of classes, students should notify the instructors of affected courses of planned
absences for religious observances. Therefore, if you foresee that the date of a
religious observance coincides with a quiz date, please see me before the end of
the second week of the semester. However, do not wait until the day of the quiz
or the day after the quiz to ask for a make-up quiz.
Withdrawals and Incompletes: The University policy on withdrawals and
incompletes is printed in the SDSU General Catalog.
Grades:
3 Written Assignments = 64 pts
Quizzes (4 highest scores) = 200 pts
In Class-Practice quizzes/assignments=21 pts
2 Book Quiz/Discussions- 40pts
Final = 75 pts
Course is out of 400pts with Final/325 without the Final
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated.
Faculty are required to report any incident involving academic dishonesty to the
University. See the Student Code section of your Student Handbook for
definitions and regulations concerning cheating and plagiarism.
Grade Evaluation: The following distribution will be used to determine your
final grade.
A
AB+ B
BC+ C
CD+ D
D- F
93.3 90.0 86.6 83.3 80.0 76.6 73.3 70.0 66.6 63.3 60 Below
59.9
THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES
Quiz 1
Chapters 1-3
Quiz 2
Chapters 4,6
Quiz 3
Chapter 7,5,9
Quiz 4
Chapter 8,10
Quiz 5
Chapter 11-13
OPTIONAL Final Exam
Cumulative
February 6th
February 27th
March 20th
April 10th
May 1st
Available May 12th
ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE BY 11:00pm ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE SYLLABUS
Lecture handouts are available on Blackboard by 9pm the night before class.
Lectures
1/23
Introduction
DUE DATE Reading Assignments
1/23
Syllabus
1/28
1/28
2/6TH
History/DSM and
ethics/Assessments
History/DSM and
ethics/Assessments
Developmental disorders
(conduct disorder/oppositional
defiant/ADHD)
Quiz 1
2/11
Anxiety
2/13
1/30
Chapter 1,2,14
1/30
Chapter 1-2,14
2/4
Notes
2/6
2/11
Quiz 1-writing Assignment 1
is due
Chapter 4
Anxiety
2/13
Chapter 4
2/18
Anxiety/Mood
2/18
Chapter6
2/20
Mood/suicide
2/20
Chapter 6
2/25
Mood/suicide
2/25
Chapter 6
2/27T
H
3/4
3/6
Quiz 2
2/27
Quiz 2 –Assignment 2 due
Physical Disorders
Somatoform and dissociative
3/4
3/6
Chapter 7
Chapter 5
3/11
Somatoform and dissociative
3/11
Chapter 5
3/13
Sleep Disorder
3/13
3/18
Sleep Disorders
3/18
3/20
Quiz 3
3/20
Quiz 3-Assignment 3 due
3/25
Personality Disorders
3/25
Chapter 8
2/4
3/27
Personality Disorders
3/27
Quiz opens-
4/1
Spring Break
4/1
Spring Break
4/3
Spring Break
4/3
Sprig Break
4/8
Book Discussion-20 points
4/8
4/10
Quiz 4
4/10
In Class Assignments-20
points-James Fallon Book
No Class
4/15
Sleep
4/15
Chapter 12
4/17
Sleep/ Schizophrenia
4/17
Chapter 12
4/22
Schizophrenia
4/22
Chapter 13
4/24
Developmental Disorders
4/24
Chapter 13
4/29
Developmental disorders
4/29
5/1
Quiz 5
5/1
Quiz 5
5/8
Book Discussion-20 points
5/8
In Class Assignment –Victor
Frankl Book
OPTIONAL
5/8
FINAL EXAM WEEK
5/8
CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM
Note: Some topics may be moved to a later date to accommodate course changes. However,
project due dates will not be changed. You will receive an e-mail when a revised syllabus
has been posted. It is your responsibility to download updates.
Writing Assignments:
Assignments are based on articles posted on Blackboard, chapters from the Oltmans
Casebook and chapters in the Durand and Barlow text. All Assignments are due at 11pm
on the date indicated on the syllabus. Copies of the textbook are on reserve at the
Library.
You are expected to write a minimum of 1 paragraph per question. So, each assignment
should include approximately 5+ paragraphs. Some assignments may require more
paragraphs to thoroughly answer the question.
PSY350 – Assignment Guidelines and Grading
Directions: For each assignment, answer the following questions at ends of specified
chapters in Casebook in Child Behavior Disorders. To receive full credit for each
assignment, answer each question COMPLETELY. Your responses should also be
THOUGHTFUL (demonstrate effort while using what you have learned from the
chapter) to receive full credit. It goes without saying that you should proofread
assignments for grammar/spelling mistakes before submitting your work.
As specified on the assignment sheet, you are expected to write ~1 paragraph per
question. Some of your answers to questions may be a little longer and some may be a
little shorter depending on the question (Keep point values in mind). Use this document
as a guide to ensure that you have fulfilled criteria for answering each question
completely.
Sources for papers can be found in 3 locations:
1) Articles posted on Blackboard
2) Textbook
3) Chapter posted on Blackboard
Assignment #1 (20 points). Pregnancy and Eating Disorders.
Using the Oltman’s Chapters on Eating Disorders (on Blackboard), AND the article on
eating disorders in Pregnancy by Ward to answer the following questions:
a) Summarize Joan’s story (casebook) 4pts
b) Imagine that Joan is pregnant. Discuss Joan’s possible reactions to a pregnancy 3 pts
(this is based on what you have learned about her from the casebook and your knowledge
of individual’s with eating disorders from Durand/Barlow and the Ward article.
c) Discuss possible impacts of pregnancy on Joan’s and a fetus’ health (Ward article)4pts
d) Discuss the possible role of culture on a person's perspective of eating and/or weight
gain during pregnancy and whether Joan’s culture will help or hinder her eating disorder
(combination of casebook, article, textbook and opinion) 5 pts
e) If you were Joan’s sister or brother what would be your reaction to her pregnancy 4pts
(opinion)
Assignment #2 (24 points). Romantic love and Personality Disorders.
Use Chapter 11 from Durand/Barlow to examine the impact of 3 different personality
disorders in light of the article on men and women’s views of romantic love as explained
in the Dion and Dion article.
a) Outline the findings of Dion and Dion. (6pts)
b) Discuss possible impacts of personality disorder (choice 1). (4pts)
c) Discuss possible impacts of personality disorder (choice 2). (4pts)
d) Discuss possible impacts of personality disorder (choice 3). (4pts)
e) What are your conclusions based on findings in the book and article? (6pts)
Assignment #3 (20 points). White Collar crime on two levels.
Read pages 174-176 of the Durand/Barlow text and then contrast and compare the 1)
Worker’s compensation article by Turco and the 2) Executive positions in White Collar
crime article, by Gottschalk.
a) Describe at least 2 differences between those who malinger and those who engage
in other White Collar crimes. (5pts)
b) Based on the articles, which group shows evidence of malingering? What is your
evidence? (5pts)
c) Which disorder(s) have symptoms that are the most similar to those seen in White
Collar criminals who use neutralization techniques (e.g. denial of victim etc.)?
(5pts)
d) Which group should society be most concerned with, those who malinger or those
engaging in some other form of deception for gain? For this question you are
trying to determine whose actions may have the most negative impact on the
mental health of their community or society in general. (5pts)
Book Discussions:
Includes a quiz (your score counts) for each Book followed by a discussion where
you turn in a package of questions based on your small group discussion.