In this module I will provide students with an integrative overview of the field of abnormal psychology. I will first familiarize them with the multiple causes of psychopathology as viewed from the perspective of different disciplines, such as genetics, neuroscience, behavioural and social sciences. Then, I will describe clinical characteristics, statistics, aetiology, diagnostic criteria and treatment of key psychological disorders (e.g., anxiety, panic attack, depression, schizophrenia, anorexia, bulimia, ADHD, autism). The essential features of each disorder will be illustrated presenting a clinical case. Diagnostic changes that have occurred in the DSM-5 revision will be taken into account.
This module aims to:
1. provide significant understanding of the potential interplay between biological, psychological, social and environmental factors in explaining abnormal behaviour;
2. provide knowledge to critically distinguish normal from abnormal behaviour;
3. provide knowledge to classify psychological symptoms and disorders;
4. stimulate students to reflect on the normalcy of their own daily experience and improve their self-knowledge.
Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:
1. describe abnormal behaviour and psychological disorders with an integrative view;
2. compare and contrast different psychological disorders at different levels (e.g., genetic, neuroscientific, behavioural and social);
3. evaluate the appropriateness of therapeutic intervention and prevention strategies for psychological disorders.
This module aims to:
1. provide significant understanding of the potential interplay between biological, psychological, social and environmental factors in explaining abnormal behaviour;
2. provide knowledge to critically distinguish normal from abnormal behaviour;
3. provide knowledge to classify psychological symptoms and disorders;
4. stimulate students to reflect on the normalcy of their own daily experience and improve their self-knowledge.
Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:
1. describe abnormal behaviour and psychological disorders with an integrative view;
2. compare and contrast different psychological disorders at different levels (e.g., genetic, neuroscientific, behavioural and social);
3. evaluate the appropriateness of therapeutic intervention and prevention strategies for psychological disorders.