Abnormal Psychology
Overview
This unit introduces students to the ways in which mental health has been conceptualised over time and an introduction to the diagnostic manual of mental disorders used by psychologists in Australia and around the world. Common mental disorders are introduced and explained in terms of their phenomenology and nosology, as well as theories about aetiology and approaches to treatment. Throughout the unit, cultural and biopsychosocial factors that relate to the classification, diagnosis, and treatment mental disorders are outlined. In sum, the unit develops student understanding in relation to mental health diversity, mental health disorders, and the major psychological treatments used to address them.
Requisites
PSY70013 Social Psychology
PSY70014 Cognition and Human Performance
Rules
Pre-requisite
PSY70015 Developmental Psychology
AND
PSY70013 Social Psychology
AND
PSY70014 Cognition and Human Performance
09-February-2025
08-June-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Compare and critique the ways in which human behaviours have been identified as abnormal or dysfunctional.
- Describe and characterise the classification and features of mental disorders (including phenomenology and aetiology) and explain how they are applied to individual cases.
- Critically review the biopsychosocial approach to understanding mental disorders and their treatment across a range of contexts.
Teaching methods
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 4 weeks | 4 |
| Specified Activities Various | 8.00 | 12 weeks | 96 |
| Unspecified Activities Various | 4.17 | 12 weeks | 50 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3 |
| Assignment | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3 |
| Examination | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3 |
Content
- Conceptualising and researching distress and mental health
- Description and diagnosis of mental disorders across the lifespan
- Evidence based approaches for treatment of mental disorders
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.