FARMINGDALE STATE COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT: PSYCHOLOGY
PREPARED BY: PSYCHOLOGY DEPT.
DATE: FALL 2014
COURSE TITLE:
Abnormal Psychology
COURSE CODE:
PSY 315
CREDITS:
3
CONTACT HOURS:
45
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
In this course the student will learn about concepts, theories, and issues in psychopathology (the
study of mental illness and behavioral disorders). Topics will include historical background,
mental health professionals, legal issues, normality/abnormality, etiology/assessment/
diagnosis/therapy, anxiety/stress/depression, personality disorders, sexual deviance,
schizophrenia, neurological dysfunction, substance abuse, and psychophysiological disorders.
The applications of psychology to personal problem solving will also be explored.
Prerequisite(s): PSY 101
(3,0) Credits: 3
PREREQUISITES:
PSY 101, PSY 130, or PSY 131 or permission from Department
Chairperson.
REQUIRED FOR:
CJ
ELECTIVE FOR:
All curricula with a social science elective
TEXTS CURRENTLY
IN USE:
Abnormal Psychology 6th Edition, Nolen-Hoeksema, Susan (2014),
Mc- Graw Hill Higher Education
JUSTIFICATION
PSY 315 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 315 fulfills the intent of the Social and Behavioral Science competency area by applying a
scientific and research perspective to intra and interpersonal variations in the human experience.
Abnormal Psychology concerns itself especially with those variations in human behavior that
deviate from cultural or societal expectations. It traces the evolution of historical changes in
attitudes toward and treatment of those individuals whose interpersonal responses and behavioral
patterns have been problematic for themselves and for society. This course explores the
reciprocal impact of the mentally disordered individual on society and the influence of society on
abnormal behavior. Culture-bound syndromes are discussed as a way of demonstrating the
significant role played by sociocultural factors in labeling behavior as normal or abnormal.
Contemporary psychopharmacological treatment of the mentally ill is shown to be the result of
significant research findings regarding the biological basis of psychopathology. The clinical
picture of abnormal psychology has changed considerably due to the influence of scientific and
technological developments in assessment and diagnosis.
Public policy and legal rulings have had profound effects on issues such as commitment,
deinstitutionalization, the mentally ill in the community, the rights of confined individuals, and
the protection of society. Statistical data are presented to show the increasing prevalence of
mental illness and psychological disorder in the population and the significant problem this has
created for individuals, families and the community.
Students in Abnormal Psychology are encouraged to share their experiences and engage in
personal problem solving. With increased awareness and insight into these issues, they will be
able to generate constructive solutions to the serious societal problems discussed in this course.
Learning the dynamics of the normality-abnormality continuum will contribute to student’s
understanding of the diverse human motivations and behaviors that they encounter on a daily
basis. By studying the reasons for the many variations, both normal and abnormal, in human
behavior, PSY 235 provides the student with the skills to function more adaptively in typical
societal settings-school, home, workplace-as well as in their interpersonal relationships.
BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES
PSY335 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
When studying Abnormal Psychology, the student will be able to:
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Define the following terms: abnormal, psychopathology, psychotherapy, clinician,
therapist, mental illness, psychological disorder, case history.
Describe the work of a mental health professional; compare the educational requirements
and professional credentials of the following: psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric
social workers, psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Relate the historical chronology of attitudes toward the treatment of the mentally ill from
ancient times to the present, including the transition from supernatural (e.g., demonology,
witchcraft) through psychogenic to biological etiology.
Compare and contrast the following theoretical perspectives on psychopathology:
psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, existential, cognitive, systemic.
Explain the biological basis of mental illness in terms of brain structure and
neurochemical transmission. Discuss how technological developments have improved
the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
Describe the research methodology used in the study of abnormal behavior including
clinical case studies, research protocols, and experimental method. Explain how the
scientist-practitioner integrates scientific research with client treatment. Define statistical
terms such as prevalence and incidence data, reliability, validity, longitudinal, crosssectional. Discuss the importance of informed consent, confidentiality and ethical
guidelines in conducting research on mentally ill individuals.
Define assessment and classification and explain the process of psychological diagnosis;
compare assessment procedures including: clinical interview, psychological testing,
mental status exam, personality inventories, behavioral rating scales. Explain the multiaxial diagnostic system of DSM IV.
Explain the significance of social, cultural, and cross-cultural influences on psychological
disorders and the importance of understanding these factors in etiology, assessment and
treatment. Discuss the societal norms definition which focuses on violation of cultural
values as a disorder. Define and give examples of culture-bound syndromes. Explain
how cultures may define or react to mental disorders in a variety of ways, and use
different treatment techniques based on cultural values.
List the behavioral criteria and symptoms for the anxiety disorders: panic and phobic
disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder. Discuss the
gender specific aspects of agoraphobia in relation to the traditional social roles of women.
Discuss the etiology and clinical pattern of the dissociative and somatoform disorders
especially in relation to the historical concept of hysteria. Describe the influence of
cultural and gender-specific factors in hypochondria and body dysmorphic disorder.
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Trace the development of the relatively new areas of behavioral medicine and health
psychology. Using examples, describe how psychological factors affect medical
conditions via the immune system and how stress and lifestyle patterns affect mental and
physical health. Compare behavioral patterns of diverse social groups and minorities to
understand the prevalence and incidence data for psychophysiological disorders. Explain
the importance of coping skills, stress management techniques, and perceived control in
treating stress related disorders.
Give examples of the DSM IV criteria for mood disorders and explain how all cultures
claim some form of these disorders. Define bipolar, depression, mania and “chemical
imbalance.” Discuss suicidal behavior patterns in terms of risk factors and social
influences.
Discuss eating disorders in terms of culture and gender specificity. State the DSM IV
criteria for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. Discuss eating disorders in
relation to body image disturbance and social influences.
Define and give examples of paraphilias and gender identity disorders and show how
these disorders may be influenced by social and cultural factors.
Compare and contrast the difference substance use disorders (including alcoholism) in
terms of symptoms, tolerance and dependence. Explore the influence of sociocultural
factors on drug-seeking behaviors, intervention and treatment.
Explain the concept of a personality disorder in terms of characteristic and dysfunctional
behavior patterns. Compare and contrast the personality disorders in terms of
comorbidity, gender-specificity, and prognosis.
Trace the historical development of schizophrenia and describe the typical cognitive,
behavioral and affective symptoms. Define delusion and hallucination and give example
of each. Describe the evolution from psychogenic to biological etiology, changes in
treatment techniques, and the emergence of psychopharmacology.
Define the concept of mental retardation in terms of intellectual deficit and adaptive
functioning. Discuss etiology including cultural-familial retardation, genetic defects and
environmental causes.
Define and give examples of the cognitive disorders. Discuss the onset of dementia,
especially Alzheimer’s disease, and its impact on the individual, family and society.
Define and give examples of the pervasive development disorders. Tract eh historical
development of the etiology and treatment of autism.
Discuss the prediction of dangerousness and the ways in which the legal system deals
with mentally ill persons. Show how the state must balance individual rights against the
protection of society. Compare civil vs. criminal commitment. Define
deinstitutionalization and trace the history of confinement of the mentally ill. Explain the
meaning of the “insanity plea” and its consequences.
Tract the development of treatment of mental illness. Give examples of different types of
therapy as well as biologically based treatments, and discuss their effectiveness. List the
different types of medications available for anxiety, depress, and psychosis.
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will focus on an exploration of psychopathology, i.e., those behaviors considered by
society to be maladaptive. Current issues in mental health will be discussed in relation to
historical, legal and ethical contexts. Theoretical perspectives on psychological disorders and the
biochemical basis of mental illness will form the foundation for course material on etiology,
assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The description of mental disorders will conform to the
current DSM IV classification system.
UNIT I
The Study of Abnormal Behavior: definition, statistical criteria, incidence, epidemiology,
stereotypes of the mentally ill; historical chronology--superstition to science: attitudes toward
and treatment of the mentally ill
Mental health professionals: psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists
Models of Psychopathology: biogenic, psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, existential,
cognitive, systemic
Assessment and Classification: psychological tests, DSM IV
The Scientific Method in Abnormal Psychology: clinical research, case studies, ethical issues
in research
UNIT II
Anxiety and Stress: Panic and phobic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic
stress disorder
Dissociative disorders: amnesia, multiple-personality
Somatoform disorders: somatization, conversion, hypochondria, body dysmorphic disorder
Psychological factors affecting medical conditions: stress and the immune system, coronary
heart disease, hypertension, ulcers, migraine headaches; relaxation training, biofeedback
UNIT III
Personality disorders: paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, antisocial, borderline, histrionic,
narcissistic, avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive
Impulse control disorders: intermittent explosive, kleptomania, pathological gambling,
pyromania, trichotillomania
Substance-related disorders: alcoholism, substance abuse, the addiction process, self-help
groups
Sexual and gender identity disorders: paraphilias, pedophilia, fetishism, transvestism,
transsexualism, rape, incest; issues related to homosexuality
sexual dysfunction: sexual response cycle, male and female disorders of desire, arousal and
orgasm
UNIT IV
Mood disorders: depression, mania, bipolar disorder, suicide
Schizophrenia: delusions, hallucinations; speech, thought, and behavioral disturbance; paranoid,
disorganized and catatonic types; genetic and high-risk studies; the dopamine hypothesis; antipsychotic medication
UNIT V
Organic disorders: assessment of brain damage, dementia, delirium, Alzheimer's disease,
epilepsy, disorders associated with aging
Developmental problems: autism, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, separation anxiety,
childhood depression; eating disorders
Mental retardation: etiology, diagnosis, IQ levels, Down Syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome,
intervention programs
UNIT VI
Treatment techniques: Electroconvulsive therapy, psychosurgery, psychopharmacology
Therapy: psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, behavior modification, cognitive restructuring,
marital/family therapy, group therapy
Community psychology: mental health centers, prevention programs, paraprofessionals, selfhelp/support groups
Legal and ethical issues in abnormal psychology: insanity defense, commitment,
deinstitutionalization; the therapist/client relationship and confidentiality