Unit details

PSYC3314 Adult Psychopathology

Credit

6 points

Offering

Availability	Location	Mode
Not available in 2020	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 option in the Psychological Science; Psychology in Society; Psychology major sequences
• The area of knowledge for this unit is Life and Health Sciences
• Category B broadening unit for students
• 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) have a good working knowledge of general approaches to the assessment, explanation and treatment of psychopathology; (2) appreciate the clinical symptomatology and general diagnostic criteria for each class of psychological disorder introduced within the lecture program; (3) have good knowledge of its epidemiology, fully understand specific causal models for this disorder and describe the specific treatment implications of each such model for this condition; (4) fully understand the multidimensional, integrative perspective (wherever applicable) that represents current 'state-of-the-science' knowledge of this disorder and describe the treatment implications of such integrative approaches; (5) appreciate ethical issues in mental health and demonstrate awareness of applications of abnormal psychology to social and public policy issues; and (6) analyse data and investigate relationships between clinically relevant variables and behaviour.

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.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Ben Grafton

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

PSYC1101 Psychology: Mind and Brain
and
PSYC1102 Psychology: Behaviour in Context
and
PSYC2203 Introduction to Quantitative Methods in Psychology

Incompatibility:

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.

Texts

Current textbook information is available in the School of Psychological Science textbooks list.