Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

Instructor: Dr. Eva Gilboa-Schechtman

Room 39, phone: 531-8744.
e-mail: gilboa@mail.biu.ac.il

Office hours: Tuesday 3-4

Textbook: Alloy, L.B. Jacobson, N.S., Acocella, J. (1998). Abnormal Psychology: Current perspectives. Eighth Edition. Mc-Graw Hill.

Structure of the course: The main goal of this course is to familiarise the students with the basic findings and methods in the study of
abnormal psychology. The lectures will emphasise scientific approach to the study of psychopathology. The textbook of the course will
supplement the lectures by presenting additional approaches to the study of psychological disorders. The evaluation of the class will be
based on the midterm (end of Fall Semester, 50%) and the final (end of the Spring Semester, 50%). The exam will include questions based
on the material covered both in the class (60%) and in the book (40%). Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussion.
However, attendance is not a requirement in this class.

Suggested Readings:

Carson, R.C., Butcher, J. N. & Mineka, M. (1996) Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life: Ninth Edition. Longman.

American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM- IV).

Keeley, S.M. (1995) Asking the right questions in abnormal psychology. Prentice Hall.

Lickey, M.E. & Gordon. B. (1991) Medicine and mental illness: The use of drugs in psychiatry. W. H. Freeman and Company.

Sheenan, S. (19982) Is there no place on earth for me? Vintage Books.

Spitzer, R.L., Gibbon, M., Skodol, A. E., Willaims, J.B. & First, M.B. (1994). Case book: A learning companion to the diagnostic and
statistical manual of mental disorders. Fourth edition.

Sandbloom, P. (1995) Creativity and Disease: How illness affects literature, art and music.

Gottesman, I.I (1991). Schizophrenia genesis: The origins of Madness. W. H. Freeman and Company.

Alona Kimchi (199?) Anastasi,. my dear.

Date Course Material Chapters in the

textbook

31/10 1. What is “abnormal?” Chapters 1 & 3

7/11 2. Assessment and diagnosis Chapters 4 & 5

14/11 3. Methods of assessment: Objective and Projective tests Chapter 2

21/11 2. Multiple perspectives: Case study Chapter 2

28/11 5. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Chapter 6

5/12 6. Specific Phobias and Social Phobia Chapter 6

12/12 7. Panic Disorder (PD) Chapter 6

19/12 7. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) & GAD Chapter 6

26/12 9. Major Depression – Clinical Picture Chapter 9

02/01 10. Major Depression – Causes and Explanations I Chapter 9

09/01 11. Major Depression – Causes and Explanations II Chapter 9

16/01 12. Bipolar Disorder Chapter 9

 Date Course Material Chapters in the
textbook

27/02 13. Suicide Chapter 9

06/03 14. Schizophrenia – Definitions & Subtypes Chapter 13

13/03 15. Schizophrenia – Explanation and Causes Chapter 13

20/03 16. Schizophrenia – Biological findings and therapies Chapter 13

27/03 17. Drug Abuse Chapter 11

17/04 18. Alcohol Abuse Chapter 15 (part)

24/04 19. Dissociative Disorders Chapter 7

01/05 20. Somatophorm Disorders Chapter 7

08/05 21. Axis II – Personality Disorders – General & Cluster A Chapter 10

15/05 22. Axis II – Personality Disorders – Cluster B Chapter 10

22/05 23. Axis II – Personality Disorders – Cluster C Chapter 10

5/06 24. Eating Disorders Chapter 15

12/06 25. Eating Disorders Chapter 15