Abnormal Psychology

This course introduces and differentiates between the major theoretical perspectives of abnormal behavior, while incorporating the scientific method of inquiry as it applies to research in the field of abnormal development. Scientific research is discussed with an emphasis on both the diagnosis of mental illness and its treatment. Additional topics are to be the biological, psychological, and sociocultural origins of abnormal behavior; research methods and experimental data; the defining of, assessment, and categorization of mental illness; treatment modalities for mental illness; prevention of mental illness; and ethical standards when dealing with mental illness.