Dr. John Suler
Abnormal Psychology
(Psy 220)Science and Technology Center, Rm 320
Rider University - (609-895-5430)
Textbook: Exploring Abnormal Psychology, by Davison and Neale
This course explores the symptoms and causes of various types of psychological disorders - particularly the neurotic, psychotic, and mood disorders. A psychodynamic understanding of these abnormal conditions is emphasized. How we define, assess, and study abnormality are important underlying issues. A variety of class exercises - including small group activities, role playing, video tapes, and audio tapes - are used to understand mental disorders.
COURSE OUTLINE AND RELATED TEXTBOOK READINGS:I. Studying and classifying psychopathology
A. What is "normal" and "abnormal"? (Chapters 1, 2, 3)
** Exam #1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Lectures in Section I
B. Exercise: Shades of abnormality
C. Research Methods (Chapter 5)
D. Assessment and psychological testing (Chapter 4, 5)
E. Exercise: Diagnosing "Mr. Smith"
F. Exercise: A diagnostic intake interview with "David"
G. Overview of diagnostic categories
II. Less severe forms of psychopathology
A. The neuroses (Chapters 6, 7)
** Exam #2: Chapters 6, 7, 8, 11, 13 ; Lectures in Section II
B. Defense mechanisms: Role plays
C. Exercise: Diagnosing personality disorders (Chapter 11)
D. Sociopathy: The Hillside Strangler (video)
E. Stress and psychophysiological disorders (Chapter 8)
F. Reactions to severe stress (PTSD)
G. Sexual disorders and dysfunctions (Chapter 13)
H. Exercise: Biases about homosexuality
III. Severe pathological conditions: Case studies (audio tapes)
A. The symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis (Chapter 9)
B. Exercise: Detecting symptoms of psychosis in undifferentiated schizophrenia
C. Paranoid conditions
D. "Madness" (video)
E. Mood disorders (Chapter 10)
F. "Depression" (video)
G. Disorders due to obvious biological causes (Chapters 12, 14)IV. Overview of Mental Health Treatments (Chapter 16)
Exercise: Which treatment is best?
** Exam #3: Chapters 9, 10, 12, 14, 16; Lectures in III and IV
Evaluation:Your grade will be based on three in-class exams (70 points each). All exams are multiple-choice and true/false questions. Your final letter grade for the course is determined by the percentage score you obtain after completing all the tests.
During the semester you can calculate your percentage (and thereby estimate your letter grade at that point in the semester) based on the exams that you completed up to that point in the semester:
Percentage score = (total points you have / total points possible) x 100
The total points you have (the numerator above) will include bonus points from exercises that we do in class.
Letter Grade / Percentage Score
A = 93 - 100
A- = 88 - 92
B+ = 83 - 87
B = 78 - 82
B- = 73 - 77
C+ = 68 - 72
C = 63 - 67
C- = 58 - 62
D = 52 - 57
FAIL below 52
* The instructor reserves the right to make changes in this course.
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