Unit details

PSYC3314 Adult Psychopathology

Credit

6 points

Offering

Availability	Location	Mode
Not available in 2022	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the Psychology; Psychological and Behavioural Sciences major sequences
• Level 3 elective

Content

This unit lays a broad foundation in the area of abnormal psychology by identifying the genetic, biological, neurochemical, cognitive-behavioural and social frameworks that guide and constrain approaches to the definition, understanding and treatment of abnormal psychological functioning. Building on this theoretical foundation and empirical research findings, students are introduced to a wide range of psychopathology such as dementia, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and substance use disorders. Explanatory models derived from alternative frameworks are discussed and evaluated within a contemporary, multidimensional, integrative model of psychopathology. The implications of these theoretical models for pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are emphasised.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe the approaches commonly employed to better understand, assess, and treat psychopathology; (2) describe the clinical symptoms and diagnostic criteria for each class of psychological disorder introduced within the unit; (3) explain and compare alternative theoretical models of psychological disorders, and the specific treatment implications of each such model; (4) identify ethical issues in psychopathology research and practice, and demonstrate awareness of applications of psychopathology research to social and public policy issues; (5) design and implement novel research approaches that enable evaluation of important hypotheses concerning the mechanisms that underpin vulnerability to psychopathology; and (6) identify and explain pertinent multi-cultural considerations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, in the development and evaluation of psychological assessments of emotional functioning.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignments; (2) laboratory assessments; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Ben Grafton and Dr. Cele Richardson

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of three Unit(s) PSYC1101 Psychology: Mind and Brain and Unit(s) PSYC1102 Psychology: Behaviour in Context and Unit(s) PSYC2203 Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Psychology

Co-requisites:

Nil

Incompatibility:

Unit(s) PSYC2214 Adult Psychopathology

Contact hours

lectures: 2 hours per week (for 13 weeks); labs: 2 hours per week (for 6 weeks)

Note

Enrolled students can access unit material via the LMS (Learning Management System).

Students are exposed to topics in psychology units that may cause some discomfort or distress in certain individuals (e.g. depression, suicide, trauma, eating disorders). They also require to demonstrate skills across a variety of different formats and contexts (e.g. written assessments, participation in practical work, contribution to group discussions, oral presentations, examinations), and so it is important that students carefully consider whether they are able to cope with the demands of studying psychology and whether there is anything that would impact upon their ability to complete the requirements of the unit. Refer to individual unit outlines for more detailed unit information.