Diploma in Abnormal Psychology

Course Synopsis
This Diploma Level Course in Abnormal Psychology is designed for people with an interest in mental health and would like to increase their knowledge or gain knowledge in this important field. 

The Course delivers a wide syllabus of topics to provide the student with an introduction to the width and breadth of the subject area.  This Course will provide useful background for those students considering a career in this area. 

Module 1 - Defining Mental Illness
Module one will examine definitions and diagnoses of abnormal behaviour.  Several categorisation criteria will be examined and critically evaluated.   Common-sense assumptions will be challenged.
The reasons for classification and the fact that this is an imperfect science will also be discussed.  Students will be introduced to he view  that any model of abnormal behaviour needs to examine not only known risk factors for mental health but also the biases that clinicians themselves bring to the diagnostic process. 
Some of the disorders that are associated with abnormal behaviour are rare and the challenges presented by this will be examined. 

Module 2 – What is Abnormal Psychology?
This section will introduce the student to historical, philosophical and political debates about what is normal and abnormal behaviour. An historical over-view of the historical origins of ‘madness’ will be presented in order to introduce students to ideas of how definitions change over time. A number of theoretical approaches and psychological definitions will be examined. Students will also be introduced to the implications and consequences of labelling theory. The differing roles, responsibilities and capabilities of people who deal with mental illness and abnormal behaviour will be reviewed.   

Module 3 - The  Psychoanalytic  Approach
This module will introduce students to the Psychoanalytic paradigm that began with Sigmund Freud  who believed that unconscious conflicts deriving from childhood were responsible for maldaptive behaviour in adulthood.  The student will examine the life and times of Sigmund Freud and  look at the importance of his work in exploring the unconscious and childhood factors as determinants of abnormal behaviour.  It is anticipated that students will use the information gained in this Unit to  make sense of the conflicts that arise when trying to understand both their own self and that of others. 

Module 4 - Carl Jung and Post Freudians
In this Module students will be examine the work and life of Carl Gustav Jung. Jung broke away from the traditional model of Psychoanalysis and called his theory Analytical Psychology and the reasons for this will be explored.The psychology of Jung focuses upon wholeness and integration of the psyche and he was less interested in method and theories and focused upon wholeness and integration of the psyche.  In contrast to Freud. Jung focused upon the future and societal influences upon the personality.  This module will introduce students to the symbols and archetypes thought by Jung to be at the root of mental disturbances. 
 
Module 5 – Biological, Behaviourist and Humanistic Approaches
In this Chapter three theoretical approaches to treating mental illness are  presented.  Students will cover the strengths and weaknesses of each approach in order to assess their validity in terms of treating mental illness in the present day. 

Module 6 - Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder characterised by major disturbances in thought, emotion and behaviour.  In this Module students will look at Schizophrenia and the contentious debates that surround the disorder.  The origins of schizophrenia, prevalence rates and the differing forms of treatment will be examined.   The limitations of drug therapy will be discussed, together with a review of the psychosocial factors involved in the causation of schizophrenia.  Students will be encouraged to assess the implications of a diagnosis of schizophrenia and introduced to the controversial debates that are presented in this and other modules. 

Module 7 – Depression
Depression is a disorder not to be taken lightly and there is an increasing prevalence of depression in society.  In this Module the reasons for this are examined.  Students will also examine the prevalence of depression, the aetiology of depression, rates of depression in different age groups, treatments for depression and the implications of depression in terms of quality of life.  Students will also look at the positive aspects of depression and the potential for change that is inherent within the diagnosis.  

Module 8 – Women and Madness 
Many theorists believe that the demands being placed upon women today may be just too great for them to be able to fulfil and indeed the current mental health statistics appear to support this but in this Module students are asked to asses how far women have come since the repressive ideologies of Victorian England.
There are increasing rates of mental illness within all sectors of society but women are an especially vulnerable group. The reasons for this are examined through a historical overview of the way women have been treated in society since medieval times.

Module 9 – The Anti-Psychiatry Approach 
In the 1960’s a new era of Psychiatry emerged and in this Module students are introduced to the Anti-Psychiatry movement.  The Anti-Psychiatrists widened issues connected with mental illness to social contexts like the family and indeed an analysis of Psychiatry itself.   The work of R.D Laing who took on the established order of the medical approach to mental illness is examined.  Laing believed that psychiatry imposed judgements of mental illness upon people that the majority of people in society saw as ‘different’. Laing recognised there was a loss of self within patients who were presenting with abnormal behaviour and he attempted to make sense of this from the perspective of the life of the person and their family.   

Module 10 - Methods and Ethics
In this Module students are introduced to the importance of research and the role of research into Abnormal Behaviour is reviewed.  The rules of scientific enquiry govern the definition and search for knowledge in the field of abnormal behaviour.  This means that it is necessary for students to have an awareness of the research process in order that they are better able to understand the importance of critical evaluation of both the research process and also the theories presented in the Course.
Ethical issues involved in carrying out any form of research in the field of Abnormal Psychology and the ethical responsibilities faced by therapists, doctors and counsellor are also reviewed.  The rights of those considered ‘vulnerable’ by society are also considered and also the rights of people who are detained under the Mental Health Act.  The Chapter concludes with an examination of the role of an ‘expert witness’ and also the rights of those considered   ‘criminally insane’.

Entry Requirements
Basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.

Study Hours
37 hours per unit (370 hours approx in total).

Qualification
Diploma in Abnormal Psychology

What's Included
Postage and packing, unlimited full tutor support.

Further Information
Please note that this is an online course and your materials are delivered within the College web site in PDF format.

In the student 'Common Room' you are also able to receive the latest course updates, extra materials and information. You will also be able to take part in the student chat room and forums as part of our online student community.

After enrolling online you will receive your username and password to access your materials within 5 working days. You will also receive your personal Oxford student number via email.

Courses in paper/file format are still available at an additional fee of £45.00. This service is only available to those students studying within the United Kingdom. All students outside the United Kingdom will receive the online format.

Course Fee
£295.00