B.
Sc, BA HONS PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE GUIDE
Course Name: Understanding Psychological Disorders
Course Code: SLA-BPSY-231
Credits: 4
Semester: 3
Session 44
Core/Elective Core
L-T-P-PSDA-SW 3-1-1-1-0
*Lecture *Tutorial *Practical *Professional Skill Development Activity *Self Work
Course description in brief: Understanding Psychological Disorders is the study of abnormal
behaviour to define, predict, explain, and change abnormal patterns of functioning. It studies the
nature of psychopathology and its causes, and this knowledge is applied in clinical settings for
treating patients with psychological disorders.
2. Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcome
By the end of this course, you/students should be able to:
LO 1. Know the theoretical dimensions of abnormality and academically be prepared to
work within health service.
LO 2. Develop the necessary knowledge base to function as a clinical psychologist
competently, ethically, and effectively in a variety of settings and with diverse
populations.
LO 3. To understand and apply theories and perspectives of abnormality.
LO 4. Gain understanding of clinical assessment methods for psychological disorders and
apply to the profession of clinical psychology for diagnosis.
LO 5. Develop skills and readiness to function as a clinical psychologist in a variety of
settings.
2.2 Course learning outcomes, program learning outcomes and assessments:
Course learning outcomes Program learning Assessments
outcomes
Know the theoretical To develop conceptual Component 1: Class
dimensions of abnormality and understanding of Participation (20%)
academically be prepared to Psychology and its This component of assessment
work within health service. application. will assess students based on
active class participation during
case discussions, newspaper
article discussions.
Develop the necessary Apply psychological Component 2:
knowledge base to function as a constructs and create Mid Term (20%) Quiz and
clinical psychologist interventions for positive Assignment
competently, ethically, and mental health.
effectively in a variety of
settings and with diverse
populations.
To understand and apply Ability to make clear and Component 3:
theories and perspectives of ethical judgments. End Term (60%) Written
abnormality. Project, Presentations
End-Term exam would be
conducted to test the ability of
students towards the events
discussed and their implication
on the world through the
submission of a project and
presentation of the same.
Gain understanding of clinical Foster the ability to
assessment methods for collaborate and work
psychological disorders and effectively in a team.
apply to the profession of
clinical psychology for
diagnosis.
Develop skills and readiness to Develop an
function as a clinical interdisciplinary
psychologist in a variety of approach to address
settings. socio- economic and
organizational issues.
Develop understanding
of self and its growth in
an intra/interpersonal
setting.
Enhance verbal and
written communication
skills.
Inculcate the ability to
seek innovative solutions
to real-world problems.
Develop critical and
analytical thinking skills
2.3 Relationship of this course with other courses conducted in the
Same term: This course is related to the other subjects being taught in this term.
Other terms: This course is related to the other subjects which have been taught in the earlier
terms.
3. Learning Resources
3.1 Required resources:
Carson, R.C.,Butcher,J.N., Mineka ,S.&Hooley,.J.M.(2011)Abnormal Psychology and Modern
Life.New Delhi:Pearson
Davison, G. C., & Neale, J. M. (1990). Abnormal psychology (5th ed.)
Kearney,C.A,& Trull,T.J.,(2012) ;Abnormal Psychology and Life :A Dimensional Approach,3rd
Edition. New Delhi:Cengage Learning.
3.2 Recommended resources:
Bennett.P.(2006) Abnormal and Clinical Psychology:An Introductory textbook,New York:Open
University Press,
David Barlow H.&Durand.V.Mark, 7th ed,e-book(2013)Abnormal Psychology:Cengage
Learning Indian Edition.
Reading is an essential part of the course, and students are expected to access and critically
analyze the relevant literature. Apart from becoming familiar with the contents of the main text,
students are also strongly urged to refer to academic journals in the area of Psychopathology.
3.3 Online resources:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-psychology/chapter/introduction-to-psychological-
disorders/
https://youtu.be/yVwfJzZdkQ0
https://youtu.be/kysiHyjJ6PE
4. Learning and Teaching Activities:
● Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course: The class will be based on
impartation of theoretical knowledge with detailed discussion of relevant case studies and
videos.
● Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies:
A. Watch all the videos and make your own notes
B. Listen to all the podcasts and make your own notes
C. Collaborate and learn from others (peers and faculty)
D. Go through reading material/links
E. Ask questions on discussion forum and clear your doubts
F. Attend the live sessions and interact with the faculty
G. Check for announcements regularly
MODULE OVERVIEW
Unit 1: Understanding Abnormality:
1. Definition and Perspectives of Abnormality
Definition of Mental Disorders
Concept and Criteria of abnormality and Normality
2. Historical and Contemporary Views of Abnormal Behaviour
Historical View: Ancients period, Middle Ages, fifteenth to 18th century, nineteenth to
twentieth century
Contemporary View: Biological perspective, Psychological perspective - Mesmerism,
Psychoanalytic view, Behavioural perspective, Humanistic Perspective.
3. Classification, Clinical assessment, and Diagnosis of Abnormality
Definition of Classification, Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
Benefits and Challenges of classification system, Purpose and process of clinical
assessment, Introduction to classification systems DSM and ICD
Key Elements of Diagnosis in DSM-5.
Unit 2: Anxiety disorders
1. Clinical Picture and etiology
Defining Clinical Picture and aetiology
Developing an understanding and insight into the clinical picture, causes, treatment and
overview of the following disorders.
2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
4. Phobias
5. Somatic symptom Disorder (Somatoform disorder)
6. Illness Anxiety Disorder (Hypochondriasis)
7. Social Anxiety disorder
Unit 3: Mood Disorders
1. Overview Clinical Picture and Etiology
2. Unipolar, Bipolar Disorders-Clinical Picture, Causes, Treatment
3. Eating disorders-Overview
4. Anorexia, Bulimia, Obesity Clinical Picture, Causes and Treatment
5. Sexual Disorders and Abuse-Overview
6. Gender Identity Disorders
Unit 4: Schizophrenia, Dissociation and Delusional disorders
1. (Paranoia) Definition, Origins, Clinical Picture, Etiology
2. Subtypes of Schizophrenia —Delusional disorders (Paranoia)
3. Positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia
4. Dissociative Disorders, Dissociative Amnesia and Fugue, Dissociative Identity Disorder,
Conversion disorder -Clinical Picture, Causes and Treatment
Unit 5: Personality Disorders & Developmental Disorders -Overview (anyone)
1. Borderline/Antisocial Personality Disorder and Psychopathy
2. Developmental disorder-Overview (any two) Learning/Mental
Retardation/ADHD/Autism-Clinical Picture, Causes and Treatment
3. Comorbid conditions with personality disorders
4. Purpose and process of Differential diagnosis
4.1 MODULE READINGS:
● Carson,R.C., . Butcher,J.N., Mineka ,S.&Hooley,.J.M.(2011)Abnormal Psychology and
Modern Life.New Delhi:Pearson
● Davison, G. C., & Neale, J. M. (1990). Abnormal psychology (5th ed.)
● Kearney,C.A,& Trull,T.J.,(2012) ;Abnormal Psychology and Life :A Dimensional
Approach,3 Edition. New Delhi:Cengage Learning
rd
● Desired Readings:
● Bennett.P.(2006) Abnormal and Clinical Psychology:An Introductory textbook,New
York:Open University Press,
● David Barlow H.&Durand.V.Mark, 7 ed,e-book(2013)Abnormal Psychology:Cengage
th
Learning Indian Edition
Learning outcomes:
Numerous therapeutic approaches exist, ranging from psychoanalysis to Zen meditation.
However, the era of managed care has prompted new and increasingly stringent demands that the
efficacy of treatments be empirically demonstrated in these sessions.
Sessions 47-48: Movie screening and doubt clearing
5. Assessments:
Assessments for Courses are based on the following four principles:
● Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
● Assessment must enable robust and fair judgments about student performance.
● Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the
opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
● Assessment must maintain academic standards.
5.1 Assessment summary
Assessment Due date Weighting Related learning outcome
Item (marks/Percentage)
Quiz As per the 10 To understand and apply theories and
timetable perspectives of abnormality.
Class Regularly in 10 Develop the necessary knowledge base
participation class to function as a clinical psychologist
tutorials competently, ethically, and effectively
in a variety of settings and with
diverse populations.
Mid Sem As per the 20 Develop skills and readiness to
timetable function as a clinical psychologist in a
variety of settings.
End Term 60 1. Know the theoretical dimensions of
abnormality and academically be
prepared to work within health service.
2. Gain understanding of clinical
assessment methods for psychological
disorders and apply to the profession
of clinical psychology for diagnosis.
5.2 Assessment related details
● If a student is absent on the scheduled date of (internal) assessments, she/he shall be
given one more option to reappear in the same, provided the faculty is convinced that the
reason for absence is genuine. Inability to attend the reappear assessment will result in
the student being awarded zero.
● Group assessments shall not be repeated. In case a student is absent on the day of
presentation of the same, the student will be awarded zero for this component of
assessment. The faculty in such cases shall conduct a separate viva for the concerned
student and grade her/him accordingly.
● End term assessments are compulsory. Absence in end term assessments will be marked
as ‘absent’ and the result will be marked as ‘incomplete’. This is irrespective of the
student’s score in internal assessments.
