PSY3032 · Psychological disorders

Overview

This unit covers the important aspects of psychological disorders: theory, assessment, specific psychopathologies, treatment methods, and diagnostic paradigms. Contemporary issues related to the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of these disorders will also be critically discussed. Both the scientific and professional aspects of working with people with psychological disorders are presented, to give you the broadest possible view of these disorders, and the behaviours associated with them. By studying different theoretical perspectives and contexts in which you may encounter people with psychological disorders, you will gain a deeper understanding of the possible applications of this knowledge in the real world and how this may translate to your chosen career.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Apply foundational principles of personality, cognition, biological processes, and human development to explain psychological disorders and psychopathology.
2. Analyse how theoretical perspectives and values influence the conceptualisation of psychological disorders.
3. Appraise the major systems of classifying psychological disorders and their historical context.
4. Define the major types of psychological disorders and the major therapeutic approaches to psychopathology.
5. Formulate reports informed by current research on psychological disorders.
6. Demonstrate interpersonal collaboration and teamwork skills, and verbal communication skills.

Workload

Two hours of lectures per week. Two hours of tutorials ten times per semester plus a 1-hour orientation tutorial in Week 1 of semester Preparation: Eight hours background reading/preparation for lectures, tutorials and assessment tasks per week. Attendance at tutorials is recommended in order to successfully complete in-class activities and related assessment tasks.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.