PSYC 230 Mental Health and Psychological Disorders I is the study of Abnormal Behaviour. Initially we will study the key concepts of major personality theories as they apply to abnormal psychology. This is followed by an introduction to the DSMIV (or DSMV) Classification System and research strategies used in abnormal psychology. The course begins its examination of specific disorders by considering disorders related to anxiety, trauma and stress. The final unit looks at Depressive and Bipolar disorders and Suicide.
Prerequisites: Two semesters of Introductory Psychology with a minimum of 60%, or advance permission of the Department Head.
Corequisite: None
Crosslisted: None
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 45 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- describe the different ways of defining abnormality, especially as it pertains to deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger;.
- describe the symptoms and treatments for anxiety disorders, trauma and stress disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders.
- explain the causes of suicide and how it is researched.
- describe what treatments are used after suicide attempts.
- discuss past and present ways of evaluating and diagnosing abnormality.
- describe the different types of professionals involved in the field of mental health.
- compare and contrast biological, psychoanalytic, behavioural, and cognitive models, as well as "Integration Models" such as the "Developmental Psychopathology Perspective".
- describe the therapies associated with each model.
- evaluate each model with regard to its strengths and weaknesses.
- describe the current DSM system of classifying mental disorders, the reason for using a classification system, and the reliability of psychiatric diagnosis.
- describe clinical assessment techniques.
- evaluate each assessment technique in terms of its reliability and validity.
- discuss the characteristics of suicide prevention programs.
- demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills, especially as it pertains to understanding and treating abnormality, the prevention of mental illness and relationship between the judicial system and mental health.
Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.