UGA Bulletin Logo

Psychopathology


Course Description

An introduction to the mechanisms and treatment of psychopathology. Emphasis is placed on the use of the scientific method for understanding abnormal behavior.


Athena Title

Psychopathology


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in PSYC 3230E, PSYC 3230H


Prerequisite

PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1030H or PSYC 1101E


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall, spring and summer


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students should have learned: 1. About the DSM diagnostic system 2. About the major diagnostic categories and their primary characteristics 3. About the major treatment approaches used for the management of abnormal behavior 4. The fundamentals of the major research approaches used in the investigation of abnormal behavior 5. About some of the issues in the history and understanding of abnormal behavior


Topical Outline

Below is a general outline for the content and order of topics presented in the course. Most of the topics below will be presented. However, due to new developments in the field and the use of different texts and supplemental materials over the years, some topics below may be deleted and others added. The exact order topics will vary. 1. Historical perspective and definitions 2. Paradigms and orientations 3. Research methods 4. Classification 5. Anxiety disorders 6. Somatoform disorders 7. Psychophysiological disorders 8. Dissociative disorders 9. Affective disorders 10. Eating disorders 11. Substance abuse 12. Personality disorders 13. Schizophrenia 14. Developmental disorders 15. Disorders of childhood


Syllabus