Major Concepts and Behavioral Objectives

CONCEPT I: Psychotherapies

Psychotherapy involves a series of interactions between a person professionally trained in alleviating psychological problems and another who is suffering them. Different forms of psychotherapy use different techniques to help a person regain a normal way of life.

1. Define psychotherapy and discuss the background of the various professionals who use it.

2. Describe the goals, techniques, and effectiveness of psychoanalysis.

3. Discuss the philosophy of humanistic therapies and describe the methods of client-centered therapy and Gestalt therapy.

4. Explain the basic principles of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapies and evaluate their success.

5. Describe the techniques used in family-systems therapies and explain how these therapies work.

6. Evaluate the contributions made by group therapies.

CONCEPT II: Biological Treatments

Biological treatments attempt to reduce disorders by altering physiological functions. Such treatments include psychosurgery, electroconvulsive shock, and drug therapies.

7. Discuss the current status of psychosurgery and electroconvulsive therapy.

8. Describe the action and effectiveness of antianxiety drugs.

9. Distinguish among the various types of mood-regulating drugs and comment on their value in treatment.

10. Discuss the use of antipsychotic drugs and evaluate their effectiveness.

CONCEPT III: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Treatments

11. Evaluate the effectiveness of the various forms of psychotherapy and biological therapy.

12. Discuss the risk factors and the treatment of suicide.