ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4300 Spring 2005
Roger A. Russell, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Old Main, Rm. 218
793-3857
rrussell@mcm.edu
Office Hours: My usual office hours are listed below. There may be times that these
hours will need to be modified. Therefore, it is best to set an appointment or check with
me in advance to see when I’ll be available. In addition to the office hours listed below, I
will be in my office at other times. As the semester “unfolds”, I may modify my office
hours. If this occurs, you will be notified in class.
MWF 8:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
TTh
8:15-10:30 a.m.
Other times by appointment
Catalog Description: This course is designed for all persons with an interest in disorders
of the mind….(and is) concerned with an analysis of maladaptive behavior including
anxiety disorders, psychoses, character disorders, psychosomatic illnesses, and organic
brain dysfunction. Classification, etiology, prevention, and treatment of abnormal
behaviors are also examined.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe biological, psychosocial, and sociocultural models or views of
understanding abnormal behavior.
2. Recognize the major characteristics of the various categories of abnormal behavior.
3. Make distinctions between the various categories and subcategories of abnormal
behavior.
4. Be familiar with the major theories and research findings regarding abnormal
behavior.
5. Name some ways of preventing psychological disorders from occurring or worsening
and ways of treating disorders from several different theoretical perspectives.
6. Be familiar with and be able to critically evaluate numerous psychologically-oriented
web sites.
Procedures: Coursework will consist primarily of lectures, discussions, assigned
readings, audio-visual material review, website exploration, written assignments, and
periodic evaluation. A few guest speakers may also be present during the semester.
Attendance at lectures, participation in class discussions, and completion of assigned
activities are required of all students. Your attendance is valued and is critical to the
quality of your individual learning experience and to that of the other class members.
Your presence is desired and expected at each class meeting. Only absences for official,
university-sponsored activities, documented doctor appointments (a note from your
doctor’s office indicating the time and date of your appointment or from the McMurry
nurse), funerals, or other documented urgent situations will be excused, but otherwise
you are expected to be at each class meeting. Unexcused absences will result in a loss of
points from your final course average as follows:
Absences
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 or more
Loss of points from final course average
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Automatic F in the course, regardless of test grades!
Textbook: Required: Carson, Butcher, & Mineka Fundamentals of Abnormal
Psychology & Modern Life, 1st ed.
Written Assignments: You are required to “visit” at least one website for each chapter
that we cover in the text and type a 1-1 ½ page description and evaluation of the website.
Websites for each chapter can be found at:
http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_carson_abpsych_1
Near the top left of this website page is a pull-down menu that will say “Jump To”. Click
on this and choose the chapter of your choice. On the left side of each web chapter page
will be several choices: for web reviews, choose “Weblinks”; for online chapter quizzes,
choose “Multiple Choice”.
Choose a website that looks interesting to you from the numerous options, read it
carefully with a critical eye, then type a 1-1 ½ page description and your evaluation/
critique of the site and its content. More information about this assignment will be
provided in class. These website brief reports are generally due each Friday of the
semester, unless instructed otherwise by me in class. Late reports will result in a loss of
10 points. Thus, if you are not going to be in class, arrange to turn in your assignments
early or on time. Papers placed under my office door or in the folder on my door by 5 pm
of the due date will be considered “on time”.
Examinations & Grades:
Four exams will be given every 3 ½ -4 weeks. The chapters comprising the test material
for each exam will be announced in class at least one week prior to each exam.
I will provide you with a study guide or study guidelines at least 4 days before each
exam. The optional study guide to accompany this text has sample test questions, as well
as other learning activities. In addition, the web address listed above has an online study
guide for each chapter.
Make-up exams will not be given routinely and scores attained on the make-ups may be
reduced by 10%. Therefore, it is in your best interest to take exams at the regularly
scheduled times. Students who miss an exam due to involvement in an official
university-related activity are expected to make arrangements for make-up exams prior to
their absence (even if the exam is given on a delayed basis). For students in this type of
situation, scores on make-ups will not be reduced by 10% provided exams are taken in a
timely manner (no later than the 2nd class day back after an excused absence).
Extra credit may be earned by completing extra website reviews. You will earn 2 extra
points for each well-written extra website review that you complete. These extra credit
reviews need to be of good quality in order to receive credit. They must be typed; typos
will jeopardize your grade. Maximum number of reviews for extra credit: 10 (a possible
20 extra credit points!).
Grades will be computed as follows:
Exam I
= 20%
Exam II
= 20%
Exam III
= 20%
Exam IV
= 20%
Written work
= 20%
Grading Scale:
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
=A
= A= B+
=B
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
= B= C+
= C
= C-
67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-62 = D< 60
= F