units

PSY3032

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

18 September 2017 25 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational UnitSchool of Psychological Sciences
OfferedCaulfield Second semester 2014 (Off-campus)
Clayton Second semester 2014 (Day)
Malaysia Second semester 2014 (Day)
South Africa Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Ben Buchanan

Synopsis

This unit covers all important aspects of abnormal behaviour: historical influences, theory, assessment, specific psychopathologies, treatment methods, and legal issues. Both the scientific and professional aspects of abnormal psychology are presented. Efforts will be made to give students the broadest possible view of abnormal behaviour by studying different theoretical perspectives.

Outcomes

On the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. relate their knowledge of personality, biological processes and human development to abnormal behaviour;
  2. contrast historical and current major theoretical perspectives of abnormal behaviour;
  3. attain insight into the way the theoretical perspective adopted by a clinician can influence the manner of explaining how a psychological disorder develops and how it is treated;
  4. demonstrate familiarity with methods of assessing psychological disorders and the main systems of classifying disorders;
  5. discuss the advantages and disadvantages of classifying abnormal behaviour;
  6. describe the major types of psychological disorders and the major therapeutic approaches to abnormal behaviour; and
  7. attain an advanced level of skill in critical evaluation of previous research and psychological report writing.

Assessment

Research report (2,000 words) (25%)
Examination (55%)
Online case report quizzes (15%)
Reflective commentary on clinical application series topic (500 words) (5%)

Hurdle: Students must pass the examination to achieve a pass for this unit.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Ben Buchanan

Workload requirements

The School strongly recommends attendance at lectures however, they are optional. Attendance at Laboratory classes, and Research and Application Lectures, is required in order to complete the assessment associated with attendance.

Off-campus attendance requirements

Attendance at Weekend School classes is required in order to complete the assessment associated with attendance. Please refer to the specific unit requirements for more detail. It is common practice, where possible, to timetable at least two Weekend School options in each core unit. Sessions may be held at Clayton or Caulfield campuses.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Psychology

Prerequisites

PSY2031.

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/psych/course/ugrad/major-minor.html