Major Concepts and Behavioral Objectives

CONCEPT I: Defining Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are defined by several criteria, but none can clearly distinguish normal from abnormal functioning in every case.

1. Compare various definitions of abnormal behavior.

CONCEPT II: Perspectives on Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are described by various theories, each with a characteristic perspective on causes, consequences, and treatment.

2. Describe the general cause of abnormal behavior according to each of the following perspectives: biological, psychoanalytic, learning theory, cognitive, interpersonal (family systems), and sociocultural.

CONCEPT III: Classifying Psychological Disorders

In all theories of abnormal behavior, psychological disorders are classified according to the symptoms involved.

3. Describe the method of symptom classification used by most psychiatrists and psychologists.

4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a classification system for psychological disorders.

CONCEPT IV: Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are characterized by emotional distress or fear. Different anxiety disorders involve various ways of attempting to reduce this unwanted anxiety.

5. Describe the anxiety disorders of panic disorders, phobias, generalized anxiety, obsessions, compulsions, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

6. Discuss the various theoretical views that attempt to explain the causes of these disorders.

CONCEPT V: Somatoform Disorders

Somatoform disorders involve symptoms which appear to be due to biological malfunctions but which, in fact, are due to psychological causes.

7. Describe the somatoform disorders of hypochondriasis and conversion disorder.

8. Discuss the various theoretical explanations that have been given for the somatoform disorders.

CONCEPT VI: Dissociative Disorders

In dissociative disorders, a part of the self is split off, so that memory or identity is disturbed.

9. Describe the dissociative disorders of psychogenic amnesia, psychogenic fugue, and multiple personality disorder.

10. Suggest possible causes of these dissociative disorders.

CONCEPT VII: Mood Disorders

The mood disorders-such as mania (extreme elation) and depression (severe and lasting sadness and inactivity)-are characterized by disturbances in levels of emotion. Sometimes the disturbances in mood occur in cycles. In other cases they are more chronic.

11. Describe the mood disorders of depression, mania, manic-depression, dysthymia, cyclothymia, and seasonal mood disorders.

12. Discuss how different theories account for the causes and treatment of the mood disorders.

CONCEPT VIII: Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, identified by disturbances in thought, perception, mood, and motor behavior, is the most severe psychological disorder.

13. Describe the symptoms of schizophrenia.

14. Discuss how different theories account for schizophrenia.

CONCEPT IX: Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are deep-seated maladaptive patterns of relating to others which are often so ingrained in the personality that the person affected is unaware of them.

15. Describe the personality disorders, focusing on the antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder.

16. Suggest possible causes of a personality disorder.

CONCEPT X: Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders

The addictive disorders center around the uncontrollable use of psychoactive drugs including alcohol.

17. Describe the characteristics of an addictive disorder, using alcohol abuse as an example.

18. Discuss current perspectives on the causes of alcoholism.