Program Overview

PSY304 Psychopathology

This subject introduces the study of the behaviour of people with problems in living, or to use more traditional terminology, the study of abnormal behaviour and personality. Subject content includes: approaches to psychological disorders; research in psychopathology; aetiology and treatment of psychological disorders; personal and interpersonal problems; and attitudes of society to psychological disorders in the present and in the past.

Subject Outlines

Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

Availability

The subject is available in:

• Session 1 (30) On Campus at:
  • Bathurst Campus
  • Port Macquarie Campus
  • Wagga Wagga Campus
• Session 2 (60) Online and at:
  • Bathurst Campus

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Psychology

Assumed Knowledge

PSY201 and (PSY202 or PSY203 or PSY204 or PSY208)

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to summarise the issues in psychopathology covered in the curriculum of this subject
• be able to demonstrate understanding of and critically analyse the theories and research findings in psychopathology specifically related to: assessment, diagnosis and classification of psychological disorders; aetiology of psychological disorders; treatment of psychological disorders
• be able to demonstrate appreciation that psychological disorders exist in and are influenced by the social and cultural context
• be able to demonstrate an open-minded attitude and tolerance towards people with psychological problems and dispel some of the common misconceptions about them

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• introduction to psychopathology
• current paradigms in psychopathology and therapy
• the classification of psychological disorders (assessment and diagnosis of abnormal behaviour)
• research in psychopathology
• anxiety disorders
• somatoform and dissociative disorders
• psychophysiological disorders
• eating disorders
• mood disorders
• schizophrenia
• substance-related disorders
• personality disorders
• sexual and gender identity disorders
• disorders of childhood
• aging and psychological problems
• treatment of psychological disorders
• legal, professional and ethical issues