PSYCHOPATHOLOGY DEGREE: BACHELOR IN PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE COURSE YEAR: 3 rd 1º SEMESTER 2º SEMESTER CATEGORY: BASIC COMPULSORY OPTIONAL NO. OF CREDITS (ECTS): 6 LANGUAGE: ENGLISH TUTORIALS: FORMAT: PREREQUISITES: OBLIGATORY 75% CLASS ATTENDANCE 1. SUBJECT DESCRIPTION This course is designed to introduce you to psychopathology, the scientific study of abnormal behavior. The course provides a broad survey of mental disorders, with an emphasis on the major forms of mental disorder found in adults. We will discuss diagnostic issues and methods used to study psychopathology. We will also examine a variety of mental disorders from several different theoretical and treatment perspectives. Focus will be on diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, and treatment issues following the DSM IV. Although you will learn about the treatments that are effective for particular disorders, the main focus will be on the disorders themselves, rather than on the process of psychotherapy. The course emphasizes a scientific and critical thinking approach to the understanding of abnormal behavior. You will be encouraged not only to learn what clinical scientists have discovered so far about the nature of mental disorders, but also to understand some of the controversial issues and unresolved questions that psychologists face as they seek to better understand, prevent, and alleviate psychological suffering. Edited by IE Publishing Department. 1
2. OBJECTIVES AND SKILLS 2.1 COURSE GOAL The main goal of the course is to create greater awareness and knowledge of psychopathology in hopes that we can reduce the suffering and stigma associated with mental disorders. By the end of the semester, students should: Know the basic theories of the current paradigms of Psychopathology: Biological, Humanistic, Psychoanalytical, Cognitive, Evolutional, and Behavioral. Recognize the historical and contemporary explanations for abnormal behavior, with an emphasis on how psychological, biological, and social factors interact to produce and maintain mental disorders. Understand the challenges involved in assessing and accurately diagnosing mental disorders, and the tools that professionals have developed to facilitate these tasks. Apply their learning to solving descriptions of the main forms of abnormal behavior found in adults, including the prevalence, symptoms, clinical course, risk factors, and best-available treatments for these disorders. Discuss the emerging trends in the study, assessment, and treatment of psychopathology, with an emphasis on questions and technologies that are generating particular excitement in the field. 2.2 COURSE DESCRIPTION In this class, we will examine the vast complexity of the current paradigms used to classify and diagnose Psychopathology. We will answer questions such as, What is considered Abnormal? When does one need to seek medical attention? When does normal behavior become an abnormal disorder? Throughout the course we will discuss all of the mental disorders classified by the DSM-IV and we will examine how the manual is designed to understand and predict behavior. I will make every effort to share my knowledge and passion for this subject matter with you, to answer the questions that you raise, and to be available for out-of-class discussion. In return, you will be responsible for doing the assigned readings before each class, coming to class prepared to learn and think about the material, and ask me about any aspect of the reading or the class that is unclear to you. 3. COURSE CONTENT i. INTRODUCTION, HISTORICAL OVERVIEW, PARADIGMS, DIAGNOSIS AND THE DSM RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Introduction and History ii. ETIOLOGY OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY The 4 characteristics of abnormality (the 4 D s) iii. MORAL TREATMENT MOVEMENT Lobotomy 2
iv. PARADIGMS OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Cognitive Behavioral Psychoanalytical Biological Humanistic Evolutional v. DIAGNOSIS AND CLASSIFICATION OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Arguments for and against the DSM-V The reasons we keep using the DSM-IV vi. ANXIETY DISORDERS: UNDERSTANDING FEAR, PANIC DISORDERS, THE PHOBIAS Panic Disorder Agoraphobia Specific Phobias Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Gender differences in Anxiety Disorders Difference between fear (emotion) and anxiety(mood) vii. EATING DISORDERS Anorexia o Clinical signs o Medical complications Bulimia o Clinical signs o Medical complications Social/cultural/family factors associated with Eating disorders viii. SEXUAL AND GENDER IDENTITY DISORDERS Sexual dysfunctions Paraphilias Gender Identity Disorders ix. CREATIVITY AND MOOD DISORDERS Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Bipolar Disorder and Suicide Bipolar 1 Bipolar 2 3
x. PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS Schizophrenia and it s 5 Subtypes xi. DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA AND MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS FOR ALL 10 PERSONALITY DISORDERS xii. CONCLUSIONS 4. COURSE TIMELINE SESSION LECTURE CONTENT MATERIAL 1&2 3 & 4 5&6 7&8 9&10 11&12 13&14 Wednesday, Jan 14: Unit 1: Introduction, Historical Overview, Paradigms, Diagnosis and the DSM Research Methods in Psychopathology Wednesday, Jan 21: Unit 2: Anxiety Disorders: Understanding Fear, Panic Disorders, the Phobias Wednesday, Feb 4: Unit 3: Anxiety Disorders: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Wednesday, Feb 11: Unit 4: Eating Disorders Wednesday, Feb 18: Unit 5: Sexual Disorders Wednesday, Feb 25: MID TERM EXAM Wednesday, March 4: Unit 6: Creativity and Mood Disorders Readings: Chapter 1 & 2 (book) Question of the Week: What is Abnormal Behavior? Briefly describe five characteristics of abnormality. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of each in defining abnormality. Explain how these characteristics, collectively, form a framework for understanding abnormality. Readings: Chapter 6 (book) Question of the Week: Describe the characteristics of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Summarize the psychoanalytic, four cognitive-behavioral, and two biological views on its cause. Readings: Chapter 6 (book) Question of the Week: How is PTSD defined differently from most disorders? Describe three main characteristics of PTSD and describe three theories of its cause. Readings: Chapter 9 (book) Question of the Week: Summarize the cognitive-behavioral view of anorexia nervosa and of bulimia nervosa. Readings: Chapter 14 (book) Question of the Week: Identify and distinguish among the three kinds of sexual problems discussed in this chapter. *Possible movie to watch after the exam regarding PTSD or OCD Readings: Chapter 10 (book) Question of the Week: Three biological therapies are discussed for mood disorders. For each, describe its effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages. 4
s 15 & 16 17&18 s 19 & 20 21&22 s 23&24 25&26 s 27&28 s 29&30 Wednesday, March 11: Unit 7: Depression Monday, March 16: Unit 8: Bipolar Disorder and Suicide Wednesday, March 18: Unit 9: Schizophrenia Wednesday, March 25: Unit 10: Personality Disorders Wednesday, April 8: ALL TERM PAPERS ARE DUE: NO EXCEPTIONS! Wednesday, April 13: FINAL EXAM Friday, April 17: Wednesday, April 29: Last day of school Readings: Chapter 10 (book) Question of the Week: Give at least five different characteristics of depression and of mania. Distinguish among the two major mood disorders and the two chronic mood disorders in the DSM-IV. Readings: Chapter 10 (book) Question of the Week: Describe four theories of suicide. According to psychological tests, what are three characteristics of people likely to, or not likely to, commit suicide? List two reasons why it is difficult to predict suicide in individual cases? Why is suicide more common among males? Readings: Chapter 11 (book) Question of the Week: Describe the treatment approaches for Schizophrenia describing the rationale, methods, and results for case management. Readings: Chapter 13 (book) Question of the Week: Why is therapy with borderline personalities so difficult? OR: How effective is psychotherapy with psychopaths? Why? Presentations begin Presentations Proceed Final Exam Review Final Exam 5. EVALUATION At the end of the semester, you will be assigned a grade based on demonstration of your knowledge based on class activities, term paper, final presentation, midterm exam and the final exam. Please see your class schedule for all due dates. 5.1. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Requirements Percentage Attendance/ Participation/ Response Paper(s) 25% Midterm Exam 25% Term Paper 25% Final Exam 25% Attendance/Participation: Please read the assigned chapters/articles before each lecture. While some lectures will be based on the readings, others will use the readings as a launching point for related topics. Each week, during the second section of class, we will discuss the week s topic in a seminar-type environment. Please come prepared with ideas and with questions relevant to the week s reading. 5
Response Papers: Each week I will present a question related to the week s lecture topics. You will be required to write response papers for 6 of the 12 questions. Each paper will be 2 pages double-spaced and it should reflect your personal response to the week s question informed by assigned readings. Papers will be graded +, or -. Late/Missing Assignments: Late assignments will NOT be accepted under any circumstances and final presentations cannot be made-up. Thus, students must plan their assignments and absences carefully. The midterm and the final are the only assessments that can be rescheduled but ONLY in cases of emergency or illness. ALL such arrangements are the full responsibility of the student and must be made PRIOR to the due date. Exams: Two in-class exams (a midterm and a final) will be given including multiple-choice and short answer questions designed to reflect analytical and critical thinking skills. Exams are based on class lectures; videos presented by the instructor, discussions, textbook content, and assigned readings. There is no provision for early exams for any reason. Makeup exams are only given with official documentation stating the reason for missing the exam and only at the discretion of the instructor and only if the instructor is notified in advance that you will miss an exam. Term Paper: You will be required to write a minimum 10 page double spaced paper using APA format and style. You may choose any topic that is related to abnormal psychology. The paper should seek to answer a focused research question. The answer to that question will be your thesis statement. You should support your thesis with evidence from the existing psychological literature on psychopathology. 5.2. TERM PAPER GUIDELINES 1) The paper will be 10 pages (double-spaced, 1 margins, 12 pt. standard font). Please number all pages and remember that that Title page and the Reference Section are NOT included in the page count. 2) Topic: You may write upon any topic that involves abnormal psychology. You may want to pick a topic that you would like to know more about but that is not covered in the course readings, or you may write in depth about a topic that we have touched upon in the course. Pick a topic that you are excited about! 3) The paper should include a thorough and well written literature review. 4) Your literature review should focus primarily on peer review journal articles related to your topic. You may also use scholarly books as references. Keep pop psych newspapers/magazine references out. 5) How many references? A good rule of thumb is to have one reference for each page of text that you write. 6) After reading the articles and books or book chapters pertinent to your topic, devise a thesis. Your thesis should be specific rather than broad. Examples: The Treatment of Alcoholism (Too broad, bad) Is Antabuse an Effective Treatment for Alcoholism? (Very specific, good) Personality and Eating Disorders (Too broad, bad) The Relationship of Perfectionism and Anorexia Nervosa (Very specific) 7) Your thesis should appear early in the paper and should not be a guessing game on the answer that you are trying to solve. 8) The bulk of your paper should present evidence relative to your thesis. 9) One effective technique is to present two opposing points of view on your thesis topic, and demonstrate that the preponderance of evidence supports a particular point of view. 6
10) Here are some tips from Justin Brown (formerly of Harvard Psychology Department) that you may find helpful: Gather specific data that support your argument Cite very specific details from your references It is almost better to paraphrase than to quote Avoid vague impressions and focus on detailed evidence Always be clear on how your evidence relates to your argument Be critical of your own argument, but don t be vague or indecisive, for example, make a strong case for an alternative perspective and then make an even stronger case for your own perspective. 11) Your paper should have an introduction (including a thesis), a body presenting detailed and specific evidence to back the thesis, a conclusions section, and a reference section. 12) Use APA format for in-text citations, reference section, and subheadings. 13) DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Be very careful to cite conclusions, theories and ideas (as well as data) that you ve gotten from other authors. 6. COURSE POLICIES Attendance Students are expected to arrive promptly for each class and to remain for the entire session. It is expected that you attend every class session. Only with an excused absence are students allowed to make-up the missed assignment. In general, students who miss class will be responsible for obtaining notes and assignments from other students. Students who miss a class, in which a quiz is given, will not be able to make up the quiz under any circumstances. In order to receive an excused absence, students must bring a note of justification to class. Students who miss more than 9 class sessions will automatically fail the course and will be required to take a make-up exam. They will only be eligible to take 2 make-up exams total. Use of electronic devices in class All cell phones must be turned off and out of sight during class. In any case, the use of Wi-Fi for activities not related to this class will hinder your grade on participation (Facebook, Skype, email, reading the news) Academic integrity Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Anyone found cheating or plagiarism will at a minimum receive a 0 on the affected assignment and an automatic lowering of your final course grade and will be referred to the University Judicial System for further action. Further penalties could include a note on your transcript, failing the class, or expulsion from the university. Communication There are several means of communication at your disposal: Office Hours: I am available to meet with you by appointment. Please write an email where you should outline the objectives of the meeting, and the points/questions/doubts, which you would like to discuss during the meeting. It is very important to write the email with all your doubts in order to have a more effective and efficient meeting. Email: If you have a small doubt and need to resolve quickly and not necessary in person, you are welcome to write an email with your doubts and clear questions. I will try to respond to you within 48 hours. Realize I will not likely be on line when you send your email and I will need some time to access and thoughtfully respond to your questions. Student privacy statement At times, students may disclose personal information through class discussions. It is expected that the class will respect the privacy of their classmates. The information disclosed in the class will not be repeated or discussed with other students outside of the course. 7
Per university policy Each student can take 4 exams per subject in 2 consecutive courses. It is mandatory to attend 70% of the classes. Students who do not comply with this percentage of attendance lose the 1st and second exams and go directly to the 3rd one. Grading for the students on make-up exams will be subject to the following rules: i. Those students who failed the subject in the first round of exams, pass to the 2nd session, except those who do not comply with the percentage of attendance to class and go directly to the 3rd session. ii. The maximum grade that a student may obtain in the 2nd exam session is 8. iii. Those students in the 3rd call will be required to attend 50% of the classes. If due to schedule overlap, a different option will be discuss with the professor in order to pass the subject. Disabled students: To request academic accommodations due to a disability, contact Candela Terriza (Candela.Terriza@ie.edu). If you have a letter from DSS indicating that you have a disability that requires accommodation, please present the letter to your instructors promptly. 8