Download CCN3116 Abnormal Psychology

July 2015
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Community College
Subject Description Form
Subject Code
CCN3116
Subject Title
Abnormal Psychology
Level
3
Credit Value
3
Medium of
Instruction
English
Pre-requisite /
Co-requisite/
Exclusion
Pre-requisite
CCN1017 Introduction to Psychology
Objectives
This subject provides an overview of the major psychological
perspectives in explaining abnormal human behaviours. It also aims at
equipping students with the essential knowledge of mental health and
psychological disorders such that students can become more sensitive to
people who have mental aberrations and therefore can understand their
associated problems and needs.
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
(a) recognise the complexity of defining psychological abnormality.
(b) identify the primary symptoms of various psychological disorders
with current classification systems.
(c) explain psychopathologies with the use of concepts and theories
from different psychological perspectives.
(d) discuss the benefits and limitations of different treatments for
individuals with mental or behavioural problems.
Subject Synopsis/
Indicative Syllabus
Defining Abnormality
Definition and misconceptions of normality, abnormality and
psychological well-being; Basic ideas and clinical implications of
current classification systems; Culture and mental health.
Theoretical Considerations
Perspectives of abnormal behaviour; medical, psychodynamic,
humanistic, behavioural-cognitive, existential, familial, and integrated
models.
Psychological Disorders
The nature, characteristics, etiology, and treatment of various types of
disorders according to the DSM classification: anxiety disorders, mood
disorders, somatoform and dissociative disorders, schizophrenia,
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July 2015
personality disorders, eating disorders, sexual disorders, developmental
disorders and intellectual development disorder.
Community Mental Health
Stress and suicide; Concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary
interventions; Future trends and ethical issues of classifying abnormal
behaviours.
Teaching/Learning
Methodology
Theories and concepts will be explained in lectures with the aid of real
case studies depicted in videos and vignettes. Guided discussions and
student presentations will be used in tutorials to help students actively
apply concepts and theories learned.
Assessment
Methods in
Alignment with
Intended Learning
Outcomes
A variety of assessment tools will be used to develop and assess
students’ achievement of the subject intended learning outcomes.
Specific assessment
methods/tasks
%
weighting
Intended subject learning
outcomes to be assessed
a
b
c
d
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

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Continuous Assessment*
50

Test
15

Individual
Assignment
15

Group Assignment
15


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
Participation
5

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Final Examination
50
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Total
100
*Continuous assessment items and/or weighting may be adjusted by the subject
team subject to the approval of the College Programme Committee.
To pass this subject, students are required to obtain Grade D or above in
both the Continuous Assessment and Final Examination.
Student Study
Effort Expected
Class contact
Hours

Lecture
26

Tutorial
13
Other student study effort

Self-study
65

Continuous Assessment
26
Total student study effort
130
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Reading List and
References
Recommended Textbook
Barlow, D. H., & Durand, V. M. (2015). Abnormal Psychology: An
integrative approach. (7th ed.), Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders. (5th ed.), (DSM-V). Washington, DC:
American Psychiatric Association.
Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2011). Abnormal
Psychology: Core Concepts. (2nd ed.), Pearson.
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2007). Abnormal Psychology. (4th ed.), McGraw
Hill.
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