PSYC # 3443                                                                                                      SPRING 2003

 

 

PSYCH 3443 – ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

 

 

Spring, 2003                                                                                      Instructor:  Larry L. Mullins, Ph.D.

                                                                                                                                            Professor

Monday & Wednesday, 8:30-9:20 (Lecture)                                                   Office:  414 North Murray

Classroom Building   303                                                                                                    Phone:  744-6951

                                                                                                                   Email:  lmullin@okstate.edu

                                                                                             Office Hours:  MT 9:30 – 10:30, or by appt.

                                                                                   

                                                                                                       Teaching Assistant:  Chris Neumann

                                                                                                                       Office:  314 North Murray

                                                                                              Office Hours:  TBA

                                                                                           Phone:  405-601-2700 (no calls after 10:00P)

                                                                                                                Email: cneumann77@aol.com

 

Course Description

 

This course will review the major approaches to conceptualizing abnormal behavior including biological, dynamic, social, and learning-based theories.  Lectures will involve discussion and illustration of the major forms of mental disorders such as childhood disorders, anxiety, depression, psychoses, and character disorders.

 

Thus, this course provides a broad survey of abnormal behavior, including clinical descriptions, epidemiology, etiology, and contemporary approaches to treatment and prevention.  We will approach this material from a scientific perspective, focusing on research-based evidence relevant to the various disorders and their treatment.

 

Prerequisite

 

Psych 1113,  Introductory Psychology.

 

Textbooks

 

Both required and optional books are available for this course.  All students should purchase the required books because readings will be required from each on a weekly basis as a supplement to lecture and discussion sections.  Information from both may be on the exams, even if not discussed in lecture or sections.  The optional books are available as resources that may enrich your learning in the course or serve as resources in the future.  All books are available at the University Bookstore, and may be available at off-campus or on-line booksellers.

 

Required Books

           

            Durand, V.M. & Barlow, D .H. (2000).  Abnormal psychology:  An introduction.

            Stamford, CT: Wadsworth.

 

            Brown, T.A. & Barlow, D. H. (2001).  Casebook in abnormal psychology (2nd ed.).

            Stamford, CT:  Wadsworth.

 

 

Page 1 of 8

 

 

PSYC 3443                                                                                                               SPRING 2003

 

 

 

 

Optional Books

 

            Santogrossi, D. A. (2000).  Study guide for “Abnormal psychology: An introduction.”

            Stamford, CT: Wadsworth.

 

            American Psychiatric Association (2000).  Desk reference to the diagnostic criteria

            from DSM-IV-TR.  Washington, DC:  APA.

 

 

 

 

Electronic Resources

 

There is a web page for the text which includes a number of useful learning resources, including practice exam questions.  You can find that page through the Wadsworth psychology page at:

 

http://www.wadsworth.com/psychology_d/

 

 

CD-ROM

 

An interactive CD-ROM, “Abnormal Psychology Live, “ is included with the required textbook.  This CD-ROM includes video segments of patients with a variety of psychological disorders that may enhance your understanding of the material.

 

 

 

Discussion Sections

 

This class uses discussion sections to add to your learning in the class.  The discussion sections will be used for a variety of purposes including answering questions about lecture content, discussion of case examples from the required casebook, viewing and discussing relevant videos, discussing relevant controversies or current events, and reviewing for exams.  A short quiz will be distributed at the scheduled starting time of each section and collected 10 minutes after the schedules starting time of your section, without exception.  The schedule for discussion sections is as follows:

 

            Section                        Location                      Time

            001                   CLB206                        8:30 – 9:20 a.m.

            002                   PS109                           12:30 – 1:20 p.m.

            003                   CLB121                        1:30 – 2:20 p.m.

            004                   M307                            2:30 – 3:20 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 2 of 8

 

 

 

PSYC 3443                                                                                                     SPRING 2003

 

 

 

Grading

 

 

Exams

 

Exams will be held on the scheduled dates.  Exams will be distributed immediately at the scheduled class time (8:30 a.m.) and collected at the end of class (9:20 a.m.).  Each exam will consist of approximately 40-45 multiple-choice questions (worth 2 points each) and one short-answer question (worth 10 points).  Partial credit will be offered for the short-answer question.  Prior to the exam, five short-answer questions will be distributed and the question on the exam will be selected from these questions.  Each exam is worth a total of 100 possible points.

 

The final exam is scheduled for Monday May 5, from 8:00 – 9:50.  No early final exams will be given under any circumstances.

 

Important:  You must bring a scantron sheet and at least two sharpened #2 pencils to each exam.

 

Quizzes

A short quiz with five multiple-choice questions will be distributed at the start of each discussion section.  Each quiz is worth 5 points and a total of 15 quizzes will be given.  We will throw out your three worst quiz scores, to arrive at 12 quiz scores to figure into your final grade.

 

 

Make-up Exams

 

Make-up exams will be granted only under legitimate unavoidable circumstances such as verifiable illness or injury, personal emergency, or official OSU absence.  Whenever possible, notify the instructor in advance of such circumstances and make arrangements for the make-up exam.  In any case, you must notify me within 72 hours of missing an exam to inform me of your circumstances.  If you feel that circumstances may exist that would limit your performance on an exam, do not wait until you have taken the exam to tell me.  Once you take an exam, that score will count no matter what. 

 

Quizzes

 

No make-up quizzes will be given.  Missed quizzes will be assigned a score of zero.  The nature of the use of quiz scores in calculating your grade allows you to have three quizzes with a score of zero without penalty to your grade.  Do not waste these early in the semester, because it is designed to prevent penalty for missing quizzes due to unforeseen emergencies or absences.

 

Extra Credit

 

There will be a few opportunities for extra credit.  These will be explained in the first meeting of your discussion section and a handout will be provided.  No other opportunities will be negotiated or made available, so please don’t ask.

 

 

 

Page 3 of 8

 

 

 

PSYC 3443                                                                                                     SPRING 2003

 

 

 

Calculation of Grade

 

Grading in the course will be based on percentage of total points earned during the semester.  Total points will be accumulated based upon 4 exams and 12 quiz  scores as follow:

 

                                    Exams (4 x 100 points ea.)                     400 points

                                    Quizzes (12 x 5 points ea.)                       60 points

                                    Total Possible                                     460 points

 

 

Final grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

 

                                    A = 90 – 100

                                    B = 80 – 89

                                    C = 70 – 79

                                    D = 60 – 69

                                    F = 59 and below

 

Honors Credit

 

It is possible to take this course for honors credit.  If you are interested in doing so, please meet with the instructor during the first few weeks of class to negotiate requirements for an additional honors project related to the course.  I am open to creative options to fulfill the requirements, and these might include writing a research paper or other creative project (website, cd-rom, video, etc.) relevant to the content of the course.  According to Honors College guideline, an honors contract must be approved by the instructor and the Arts & Sciences honors director and filed with the Honors College by the end of the third week of class.   

 

 

Attendance Policy

 

Attendance is required and expected at all lectures and discussion sections.  However, no explicit requirement for attendance is made because I believe that poor attendance will be reflected in exam and quiz scores.  Material may be presented in lectures and sections that is not found in the textbooks and this material may be on exams.  Attendance will be taken via sign-in sheet at all lectures and discussion sections.

 

Accommodations

 

Some students may have physical or learning disabilities that require special accommodations to allow for optimal learning and performance in the course.  I am happy to work with students to arrange reasonable accommodations, so please talk with me early in the semester.  Students in need of such accommodations are required  to work with the office of Student Disability Services (326 Student Union, 744-7116) to verify the presence of a disability and make arrangements for accommodation.  See the Syllabus Attachment for more information.

 

 

 

Page 4 of 8

 

 

 

PSYC 3443                                                                                                     SPRING 2003

 

 

 

 

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct and Student Behavior

 

I expect students to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity at all times.  Academic dishonesty and misconduct will not be tolerated.  A minimum penalty for instances of dishonesty will include a grade of zero for that quiz or test, but much more severe penalties may be used.  Instances of academic dishonesty and misconduct will be handled within the quidelines of OSU policies.  A written report will be made to (1) the student(s) involved, (2) the student’s advisor, (3) my department head, (4) the student’s academic dean, and (5) the Office of Student Conduct.  Information about appealing penalties is available from the Office of Student Conduct (315 Student Union, 744-5470).

 

Inappropriate, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  Students in this class will be treated with respect and courtesy, and the same is expected in return.  Chit-chat, late arrivals, sleeping, or the use of threatening language or profanity are examples of unacceptable behavior.  Pagers and cell phones must be turned off.  Severe or repeated disruptive behavior will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action.

 

 

Non-discrimination Policy

 

I support the University’s policies on equal educational opportunity for all.  Each student in the course can expect to be treated with respect by the instructor and fellow students at all times, and discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated.  If you feel discriminated against in any way, please notify the instructor immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 5 of 8

 

 

 

 

PSYC 3443                                                                                                            SPRING 2003

               

 

Calendar

 

Day      Date                Topic                                                   Required Reading

 

Mon     1/13                  Introduction to Course                           None

 

Wed     1/15                  Historical Context of Abnormal              Chapter 1

                                    Psychology, Definitions of                                                                                                                      Abnormal Psychology

 

Fri        1/17                  Introduction to sections                          None

 

Mon     1/20                  Holiday                                                

                                   

 

Wed     1/22                  Integrative Model of Abnormal               Chapter 2

                                    Psychology

 

Fri        1/24                  Intergrative Model of Abnormal             Chapter 2                                                                                  Psychology                              

 

Mon     1/27                  Integrative Model (cont’d)                    

 

Wed     1/29                  Methods for Studying Abnormal             Chapter 3

                                    Psychology

 

Fri        1/31                  Assessment and Abnormal                     Chapter 3         

                                    Psychology

 

Mon     2/3                    Psychological Assessment

 

Wed     2/5                    Anxiety Disorders: Description               Chapter 4

 

Fri        2/7                    Anxiety Disorders: Etiology                    Chapter 4

 

Mon     2/10                  Obsessive-compulsive disorder               Case #5: OCD

                                    (OCD)

 

Wed     2/12                  Anxiety Disorders: Treatment                Chapter 4

 

Fri        2/14                  Panic Disorder/Review for Test             Case #2: Panic Disorder with

                                                                                                Agoraphobia

 

Mon    2/17                 EXAM #1                  

 

 

 

 

 

Page 6 of 8

 

 

 

PSYC 3443                                                                                                            SPRING 2003

 

 

Wed     2/19                  Mood Disorders: Description                  Chapter 6

 

Fri        2/21                  Mood Disorders                                                Case #8: Major Depression

 

Mon     2/24                  Mood Disorders: Etiology                       Chapter 6

 

Wed     2/26                  Mood Disorders: Treatment                   Chapter 6

 

Fri        2/28                  Mood Disorders                                                Case #9: Bipolar Disorder

 

Mon     3/3                    Mood Disorders

 

Wed     3/5                    Substance Use: Description                    Chapter 10

 

Fri        3/7                    Substance Use                                      Case #13: Alcohol Dependence

 

Mon     3/10                  Substance Use: Etiology &                     Chapter 10

                                    Treatment

 

Wed    3/12                 EXAM #2

 

Fri        3/14                  Substance Use                                      TBA

 

            3/15 – 3/23      SPRING BREAK

 

Mon     3/24                  Eating Disorders                                    Chapter 8

 

Wed     3/26                  Sleep Disorders                                     Chapter 8

 

Fri        3/28                  Eating Disorders                                    Case #10: Bulimia Nervosa

 

Mon     3/31                  Psychotic Disorders & Description         Chapter 13

 

Wed     4/2                    Psychotic Disorders: Etiology and           Chapter 13

                                    Treatment

 

Fri        4/4                    Psychotic Disorders                               Case #15: Schizophrenia

 

Mon     4/7                    Psychotic Disorders: Etiology and           Chapter 13

                                    Treatment (cont’d)

 

Wed     4/9                    Dissociative Disorders                           Chapter 5

 

Fri        4/11                  Dissociative Disorders                           Case #7:  Dissociative Identity

                                                                                                Disorder

 

 

 

 

Page 7 of 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

PSYC 3443                                                                                                            SPRING 2003

 

 

Mon    4/14                 EXAM #3

 

Wed     4/16                  Somatoform Disorders                           Chapter 5

 

Fri        4/18                  Disorders of Childhood                          Case #16: Autism

 

Mon     4/21                  Disorders of Childhood                         

 

Wed     4/23                  Cognitive Disorders                               Chapter 13

 

Fri        4/25                  Cognitive Disorders                               TBA

 

Mon     4/28                  Sexual Disorders                                   Chapter 9

 

Wed     4/30                  Personality Disorders                             Chapter 11

 

Fri        5/2                        Wrap Up                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page 8 of 8