Course Description
“This course provides students with information regarding the symptoms, causes, and treatment of what is generally recognized as abnormal behavior. Students will be expected to think critically about the research evidence with regard to various explanations and treatments of mental illness, and to develop a clinical rationale for diagnostic choices they might make as a hypothetical treatment provider. Additionally, students will become familiar with the major assessment index for psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers (DSM-IVTR) and learn how to apply their categories to several client cases discussed in class.”
Source: U-Online
Abnormal psychology analyzes the unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought that may be apparent in an individual’s day-to-day life. This course allowed me to formulate various theoretical models that explain the etiology, assessment, and treatment of psychopathology. Through the critical analysis of research and empirical evidence, I was able to link biological, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and sociocultural factors to specific disorders. Theses skills equipped me to identify and describe diagnostic categories and criteria of the DSM-V. Furthermore, with this knowledge, I could apply theory and empirical evidence to understand and treat mental health issues through hypothetical clinical cases.
Work that Demonstrates my Knowledge
Hypothetical Case Study of Jamal King
Description: An important objective of this class is to be able to utilize critical reasoning skills to apply both theory and empirical evidence to the understanding and treatment of mental health issues. One of the most effective ways to learn this skill is to engage in the analysis of hypothetical case studies. For this assignment, you will select one of three case studies that I provide you with (see BlackBoard.) You will be responsible for reviewing this case and assigning a clinical diagnosis to the “client.” Furthermore, you will be required for providing a rationale for your chosen diagnosis, and to provide a discussion of your “rule-outs”, differential diagnoses, prognosis of the client, and to determine an empirically supported treatment modality that you would refer this client for (E.G. CBT, ERP, etc.)
Source: Blackboard
Mental Health Disorders and Their Representation in Media: an Analysis of Silver Linings Playbook
Description: Though the primary objective of this class is to help you understand psychopathology and how it relates to individuals (e.g. “clients”) another worthy goal is to help you develop an understanding of how mental health is portrayed in society and how this often leads to stigma. Stigma can affect individuals who struggle with mental health disorders as much as the disorders themselves. For this assignment, I will be asking you to analyze a media source (popular book, movie, magazine article, etc.) and to answer a series of questions that will help you and your peers to consume media on mental health with a more critical eye, and with an understanding of how such media might affect (positively or negatively) individuals who experience some level of psychopathology.
Source: Blackboard
