Division of Psychology

Transcription

1 Abnormal Psychology Module Guide 2011 Prof. Craig Jackson Title of Course BA (Hons) Sociology BA (Hons) Criminology and all Joint Programmes Division of Psychology School of Social Sciences Birmingham City University Perry Barr Birmingham B42 2SU Module Title Abnormal Psychology Total Study Hours 120 (22.5 Staff Directed Hours 97.5 Student Directed Hours) Level 5 Credit Rating 12 Tutor Contact Details Professor Craig Jackson Dawson 322 (City North Campus) Craig.Jackson@bcu.ac.uk Aims To provide perspectives from some of the main areas within abnormal psychology. To have an understanding of how psychological disorders affect behaviour and cognition. To explore the diagnosis and treatment methods used by clinical psychologists. Introduction This module introduces abnormal psychology through an appreciation and understanding of the primary psychological disorders (phobias, panic disorders, stress, psychoses, neuroses, obsessive-compulsive disorder, paranoia, depression, and paraphilias), their diagnosis (using DSM IV or ICD 10) and subsequent treatment. This module also explores how psychological disorders affect everyday behaviour and the extreme behavioural manifestations of some disorders (e.g. erotomania and stalking).

2 WebPage There is a webpage for the module. The webpage contains the timetable, lecture notes and other useful information. Students should check this webpage routinely to find new information about the module. Go to then follow the link to Abnormal Psychology. Learning Outcomes On completion of this module students will: 1. Have an appreciation of the assessment, aetiology and treatment of psychological disorders. 2. Be able to compare and contrast different psychological disorders from the following categories; anxiety disorders, personality disorders, psycho physiological disorders, sexual disorders and Schizophrenia. 3. Understand the affect of psychological disorders on everyday cognitive and behavioural functioning. Learning Strategy The module will be delivered by a weekly lecture and fortnightly seminars. The weekly lecture will be used to deliver a subject overview and the seminars will enable small group interactive learning/teaching. A variety of methods will be used in seminars: discussion, group work, video etc. Assessment of Understanding The module will be assessed by means of two elements: 1. A piece of tutor generated coursework (1500 word essay). This will enable students to explore in depth a topic of special interest to them (50%). Deadline 4 th May 2011 You should not go beyond the suggested reading except in the case of alternative books must be full referenced. You may begin initial reading before deciding which question to answer but shouldn t start reading the extended reading until you have decided which question to complete. There will be drop-in sessions before Easter to provide help and guidance on completing the essay. There is a choice of four essay questions:

3 1. Using empirical evidence compare and contrast different forms of obsessive behaviour, ranging from minor obsessions, to obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) through to stalking behaviours and erotomania. 2. Discuss two factors that may contribute towards anorexia and bulimia and outline two approaches towards the treatment of these eating disorders. 3. Using the DSM-IV-TR (2000) definition of personality disorder, explain how borderline personality disorder differs from antisocial personality and psychopathology. 4. Discuss approaches that describe the aetiology and causes of suicidal behaviour within different groups of individuals in society. Please refer to academic texts (published books from the reading list, journal articles and conference papers). Please refrain from using Wikipedia - Wikipedia is neither accurate nor does it have academic standing. You must reference your work correctly, please refer to the student handbook for the University s policy on plagiarism. Please use appropriate referencing of sources, and write the essay in a formal academic style. 2. A 90 minute seen exam. Students will answer two vignette-based questions, one from each half of the paper. This exercise will examine application and breadth of psychological knowledge from the module (50%) during assessment week exact date TBC. Submission of Coursework Assignment You are reminded of the University Regulations on cheating, details of which may be found in your Course Handbook. The final piece of work which is submitted must be your own work. Close similarity between assignments is likely to lead to an investigation for cheating. It is not advisable to show your completed work to your fellow students or to share and exchange computer files containing your work. You must also ensure that you acknowledge all sources of information you have used. Work which is discovered to be the result of collusion or plagiarism will be dealt with under the University s Cheating Procedures, and the normal penalty is the loss of 60 credits. If you have any doubt about the extent to which you are allowed to collaborate with fellow students, or the conventions for acknowledging the source(s) you have used, you should first of all consult module documentation, and if still unclear, the module tutor.

4 Evaluation of the Module Your opinions about the module will be collected from you both informally and formally at the conclusion of the module. We hope you enjoy this module and that it provides you with some insight into human behaviour and a constantly evolving area of applied psychology, and that you do well. Related Modules Cognitive Psychology Criminology, Applied Criminology Criminal Psychology Method of feedback to students Written feedback will be given, centring on the published module assessment criteria. Oral feedback will be available through tutorial. Best wishes Professor Craig Jackson Head of Psychology Division Craig.Jackson@bcu.ac.uk

5 Learning Resources ESSENTIAL Butcher, J.M., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J.M (2007). Abnormal Psychology (13 th Ed.) Pearson: Boston. RECOMMENDED Bentall, R.P. (2004) Madness Explained: Psychosis & Human Nature, New York: Penguin Books Ltd. Carlson, N.R. (2005) Foundation of Physiological Psychology, Boston: Pearson A &B Carr, A. (2001) Abnormal Psychology, Hove & New York: Psychology Press Cave, S. (2002). Classification and Diagnosis of Psychological Abnormality, Hove & New York: Psychology Press Davidson, G.C. & Neale, J.M. (1996) Abnormal Psychology, New York: John Wiley & Sons Halgin, R.P. & Whitbourne, K. (1998). A Casebook in Abnormal Psychology: From the Files of Experts, London: Oxford University Press Kring, A.M., Davison, G.C., Neale, J.M. & Johnson, S.L. (2006). Abnormal Psychology, New York: John Wiley & Sons Miller, E. & Morley, S. (1986). Investigating Abnormal Behaviour, Hobe & New York: Psychology Press