| 85-261: Abnormal Psychology |
The study of psychopathology is not an exact science, nor are there many
clear-cut parameters with which to differentiate "normal" from "abnormal"
behavior. This course will focus on learning about and understanding the
range of behaviors that fall within the province of "abnormal" psychology.
Its approach will be to guide the student in beginning to think about
behaviors that seem puzzling or maladaptive from a wide range of empirical
and theoretical perspectives. This course will be descriptive, empirical,
theoretical and conceptual. Students will develop an appreciation of the
range of behaviors that can be characterized as "abnormal", the modalities
for treating these disorders, and the empirical findings relevant to
disorder and treatment. Equally important, students will come to appreciate
that the so called "abnormal" behavior studied in this course is not in
fact non-normative or unusual but rather is very much a part of everyday
life. Finally, students will develop an increasing recognition of the
remarkable impact which context can have on our behavior.
Course goals. This course places an emphasis on the integration of
theory, research and practice; a primary goal is to help students to see
how both theory and empirical research drives case conceptualization and
intervention. An ancillary goal is to help students to recognize and to
appreciate the "psychopathology in every day life".
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Write Dr. Lynn Friedman