SRJC Course Outlines

12/8/2024 1:36:40 PMPSYC 5 Course Outline as of Summer 2025

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  PSYC 5Title:  ABNORMAL PSYCH  
Full Title:  Abnormal Psychology
Last Reviewed:12/9/2019

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled04 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  PSYCH 5

Catalog Description:
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This course examines the biological, psychological, and social science of abnormal psychology. Major areas of examination will include theoretical orientations, important psychotherapeutic methods, current issues in abnormal psychology and selected disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and psychosomatic disorders.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course examines the biological, psychological, and social science of abnormal psychology. Major areas of examination will include theoretical orientations, important psychotherapeutic methods, current issues in abnormal psychology and selected disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and psychosomatic disorders.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 1993
Inactive: 
 Area:D
Social and Behavioral Sciences
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 DSocial ScienceFall 1994
 D9Psychology  
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 4Social and Behavioral ScienceFall 1995
 4IPsychology  
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1993Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1993Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.   Assess and diagnose a psychological profile with a major psychological disorder.
2.   Describe the symptoms of major psychological disorders and suggest the most effective
treatment currently used.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.   Discuss criteria used to define abnormal behavior, and various
      methods used to study abnormal behavior, including the naturalistic,
      observation method, the correlation method, the experimental method,
      kinship studies, the epidemiological method, and the case-study
      methods.
2.   Distinguish among the following contemporary perspectives on
      abnormal behavioral:  biological, psychodynamic, learning based,
      humanistic, cognitive, and sociocultural.
3.   Describe approaches used by investigators to demonstrate
      the reliability and validity of classification and methods of
      assessment.
4.   Summarize the findings of research into the effectiveness of
      psychotherapy in general and specific therapeutic approaches in
      particular.
5.   Explain the significance of stress factors in health and illness, and
      discuss some of the psychological factors that moderate stress.
6.   Define and describe generalized anxiety disorder, and be able to
      identify various treatment approaches.
7.   Describe the major features of the dissociative and somatoform
      disorders and recount various theoretical perspectives for both.
8.   Distinguish between normal and abnormally depressed moods, define
      the term "mood disorder" and discuss the incidence of suicide and
      theoretical perspectives on its causes.
9.   Compare and contrast the three research clusters of personality
      disorders:  paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypol personality disorder.
10.  Differentiate between psychological and physiological dependence and
       describe the physical and psychological effects of depressants,
       stimulants, and hallucinogens.
11.  Describe the diagnostic features of anorexia, bulimia, obesity,
       and sleep disorders; and discuss the prevalence and treatment for
       each.
12.  Describe sociocultural factors involved in classifying sexual
       behaviors as normal or abnormal.
13.  Discuss theoretical perspectives and schizophrenia, including the
       psychodynamic learning, biological, and family theories in the
       development of schizophrenia.
14.  Identify ways of determining what is "normal" and what is "abnormal"  in
       childhood and adolescent development.
15.  Discuss developmental types, theoretical perspectives,
       and interventions for learning disorders.
16.  Discuss the basic features of dementia and the relationship between
       dementia and normal aging.
17.  Differentiate among biological, social-cognitive, and socioculture
       perspectives in explaining human aggression.
18.  Outline the legal procedures for psychiatric commitment and the
       safeguards to prevent abuse of psychiatric commitment.

Topics and Scope
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I.      Introduction and Research Methods
II.     Contemporary Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior
III.    Classification and Assessment of Abnormal Behavior
IV.    Methods of Treatment
V.     Stress, Psychological Factors and Health
VI.    Anxiety Disorders
VII.   Dissociate and Somatoform Disorders
VIII.  Mood Disorders and Suicide
IX.    Personality Disorders
X.     Substance Abuse and Dependence
XI.    Eating Disorders, Obesity, and Sleep Disorders
XII.   Gender Identity Disorder, Paraphilia, and Sexual Dysfunctions
XIII.  Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
XIV.  Abnormal Behavior
     A. Childhood
     B. Adolescence
XV.   Cognitive Disorders and Disorders Relating to Aging
XVI.  Violence and Abuse
XVII. Abnormal Psychology and Society

Assignments:
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1. Read approximately 35 pages per week
2. Writing assignment that may include research, experiential, response, or
     project for a minimum of 1,250 words
3. Quizzes, exams, and a final
4. Oral presentation and/or group project may be assigned

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
30 - 60%
Research, experiential, response, or project paper
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
40 - 60%
Quizzes, Exams, and a Final
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 10%
Oral presentation and/or group project


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology. 9th ed. Comer, Ronald. Macmillan Learning. 2019
 
Sue, David, Sue, Derald, Sue, Diane, Sue, Stanley. Essentials of Understanding Abnormal Behavior. Sue, David and Sue, Derald and Sue, Diane and Sue, Stanley. Cengage. 2017
 
Abnormal Psychology. 2nd ed. Ray, William. Sage. 2018

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