Abnormal Psychology

Levels of Analysis Abnormal

Weekly Lesson Objectives Familiarize yourselves with the IB syllabus outline and learning plan for this unit Examine the concepts of normality and abnormality. Discuss validity and reliability of diagnosis. Discuss cultural and ethical considerations in diagnosis (for example, cultural variation, stigmatization).

The IB Syllabus:

Questions to check your understanding: What is the focus of abnormal psychology? Why is it important to understand the issues surrounding diagnosis? What three groups of disorders does this unit focus on? – give an example of each one. What three broad groups can therapeutic approaches be organized into?

The IB syllabus topics:

Major Depressive Disorder Bulimia Nervosa Major Depressive Disorder Bulimia Nervosa Major Depressive Disorder & Bulimia Nervosa

Unit Understandings: - Understanding and explaining the concepts of normal and abnormal behavior and issues relating to achieving definitive explanations. - An understanding of issues related to diagnosis. - An understanding of the range of psychological disorders. - An understanding of the etiology, symptoms and prevalence of selected disorders and how effective treatments may be administered. - An understanding of gender and cultural variations of selected disorders. - An understanding of offering ethical efficacy in treating disorders.

Essential Questions - Is it possible to provide universal definitions of normality and abnormality? - How do issues relating to reliability and validity of classification systems for disorders render diagnoses of disorders vulnerable to error? -To what extent must gender and cultural considerations be made in order to understand the etiology of disorders? - What means of treatment results in effective relief for sufferers of disorders?

Learning Plan Approximate times Concepts and diagnosis (1.5 weeks) • Examine/ define the concepts of normality and abnormality. • Discuss validity and reliability of classification systems and diagnosis. • Discuss cultural and ethical considerations in diagnosis (for example, cultural variation, stigmatization). Psychological disorders (2 weeks) • Describe symptoms and prevalence of Major depressive episode and Bulimia Nervosa • Analyze etiologies (in terms of biological, cognitive and/or sociocultural factors) of Major Depressive Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa • Discuss cultural and gender variations in prevalence of these disorders. Implementing treatment (2 Weeks) • Examine biomedical, individual and group approaches to treatment. • Discuss the use of eclectic approaches to treatment. • Evaluate the use of biomedical, individual and group approaches to the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa • Discuss the relationship between etiology and therapeutic approach in relation to Major Depressive Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa General framework (applicable to all topics in the option) (1.5 weeks) • To what extent do biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence abnormal behaviour? • Evaluate psychological research (that is, theories and/or studies) relevant to the study of abnormal behaviour.

Concepts and diagnosis • Examine the concepts of normality and abnormality. • Discuss validity and reliability of classification systems and diagnosis. • Discuss cultural and ethical considerations in diagnosis (for example, cultural variation, stigmatization).

Psychological disorders • Describe symptoms and prevalence of Major depressive episode and Bulimia Nervosa • Analyze etiologies (in terms of biological, cognitive and/or sociocultural factors) of Major Depressive Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa • Discuss cultural and gender variations in prevalence of these disorders.

Implementing treatment • Examine biomedical, individual and group approaches to treatment. • Discuss the use of eclectic approaches to treatment. • Evaluate the use of biomedical, individual and group approaches to the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa • Discuss the relationship between etiology and therapeutic approach in relation to Major Depressive Disorder & Bulimia Nervosa

General framework (applicable to all topics in the option) • To what extent do biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence abnormal behaviour? • Evaluate psychological research (that is, theories and/or studies) relevant to the study of abnormal behaviour.