CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC13017 Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
All details in this unit profile for PSYC13017 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 06-05-20

The end of term examination has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment.  Please see your Moodle site for details of the assessment.

General Information

Overview

In this unit you will be introduced to the foundations of abnormal psychology. As part of this, you will explore the major aspects of abnormal psychology, including diagnosis, etiology, assessment, treatment, research, and theories of a variety of psychological disorders. This will enable you to begin to integrate theory, research and practice considerations within areas of abnormal psychology.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

CA10 and CQ01 Must have completed PSYC11008, PSYC11009, PSYC12014, and PSYC12013 or PSYC12010. CF59 Must have completed PSYC12048 and (PSYC12010 or PSYC12012 or PSYC12013 or PSYC12014 or PSYC12047). CC13 Must have completed PSYC11008, PSYC11009, PSYC12010 and PSYC12048. CC43 Minimum of 96 credit points, which must include PSYC12048 and PSYC12047.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2020

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 35%
3. Examination
Weighting: 35%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Have your say

Feedback

The resources and examples provided for the assessments were highly appreciated and useful.

Recommendation

Continue to provide variety of resources and examples to supplement the lecture material.

Feedback from Have your say

Feedback

Some students complained about the quality of the lecture recording due to noise interference from empty on campus lecture rooms.

Recommendation

Contact Tech Support to remove lecture rooms that are not being used by students from the ISL connection. This should help improve the sound quality of lecture recordings.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain foundational knowledge of psychological disorders, including relevant diagnostic criteria, symptoms, presentation, aetiology, assessment, treatment approaches as well as epidemiology of different psychological disorders
  2. Critically evaluate the different theories of the aetiology of different psychological disorders and the basic approaches to the assessment and treatment of the major psychological disorders
  3. Critically evaluate the previous research, psychological report writing, as well as current debates and controversies that exist about specific psychological disorders and the general field of abnormal psychology.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 35%
3 - Examination - 35%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 35%
3 - Examination - 35%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: LEADING RESEARCHER PERSPECTIVES

Edition: 4th (2017 (or latest edition))
Authors: Edited by Elizabeth Reiger
McGraw-Hill Education
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781743766620
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition

7th (Revised Edition) (2019)
Authors: American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
Washington DC Washington DC , United States
ISBN: 9781433832161
Binding: Other

Additional Textbook Information

Copies are available for purchase at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Word processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Laurance Robillard Unit Coordinator
l.robillard@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter 1: Conceptual Issues in Abnormal Psychology and Introduction to Course

Chapter

Chapter 1: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive and Trauma-related Disorders        

Chapter

Chapters 2, 3 and 4: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Mood Disorders (Unipolar disorders)

Chapter

Chapter 5: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Bipolar Disorder   

Chapter

Chapter 6: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Psychotic Disorders

Chapter

Chapter 7: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Eating Disorders

Chapter

Chapter 9: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz 1 opens 8 am Friday 24th April 2020 and closes on Monday 27th April 2020 11:59 pm AEST.

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Addictive Disorders

Chapter

Chapter 10: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic



Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

Sexual and Relationship Issues

Chapter

Chapter 11: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

Personality Disorders    

Chapter

Chapter 13: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

Disorders of Childhood

Chapter

Chapter 14: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case Report Due: Week 10 Monday (18 May 2020) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

Ageing and Psychological Disorders

Chapter

Chapter 15: Abnormal Psychology - Leading Researcher Perspectives 4e., (Rieger, 2017).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Review of Unit

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz 2 opens 8 am Friday 5th June 2020 and closes on Monday 8th June 2020 11:59 pm AEST.

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of term exam - please refer to your exam timetable in MyCentre for the date, time and location of your exam.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quizzes

Task Description

**Please note that there are 2 due dates for this assessment task** Online Quiz 1 is due at the beginning of Week 7, Online Quiz 2 is due at the beginning of Week 13.

Each Online Quiz is worth 15% of your overall grade.

You will have 75 minutes to complete each quiz online.

There are 60 multiple choice questions (10 from each chapter), with 5 response options for each question.

Online Quiz 1 will assess unit content learning from Weeks 1 to 6. Online Quiz 2 will assess unit content learning from Weeks 7 to 11 (see unit schedule for relevant chapters in the textbook).

Online Quiz 1 will be open from 0800 am AEST Friday 24 April 2020 (Week 6) and close at 1159 pm AEST Monday 27th April 2020 (Week 7).

Onlie Quiz 2 will be open from 0800 am AEST Friday 5th June 2020 (Week 12) and close at 1159 pm AEST Monday 8th June 2020 (Week 13).


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Return Date to Students

Quiz grade will be available to students immediately after submitting. Feedback on individual questions will be available after the quiz closes.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Numerical grade out of 60.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Quiz will be available via Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain foundational knowledge of psychological disorders, including relevant diagnostic criteria, symptoms, presentation, aetiology, assessment, treatment approaches as well as epidemiology of different psychological disorders
  • Critically evaluate the previous research, psychological report writing, as well as current debates and controversies that exist about specific psychological disorders and the general field of abnormal psychology.


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Case Report

Task Description

Objectives: The case report is where you are expected to demonstrate your functional and critical knowledge of major facets of abnormal psychology. This requires you to demonstrate a capacity to engage in research that develops your understanding of the aetiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of various major psychological disorders presented in the abnormal psychology literature.

Details: You will be given a list of films to review for your case report (see assessment information sheet on Moodle). It is not an exhaustive list of feature films in the area of psychology, yet it represents a number of films that deal with major themes in abnormal psychology. You are required to watch ONE film from this list, observing and assessing thoughts, feelings, and behaviour in the respective character. The story may be fiction or non-fiction. To potentially receive a high grade, the focus of your paper will be on the individual, not on the plot or theme of the movie. Your report must address questions relating to aspects of the individual and the environment. These questions and a template for the structure of the case report will be provided on Moodle.

Word count. A good case report should be brief and focused, hence the word count should be between 1800-2200 words (excluding Title page, and Reference list). No abstract is necessary. Please also note that an APA formatted title page is required and the use of APA 7th ed. for referencing, formatting etc.

A detailed marking sheet with specific criteria and marks for each section of the case report will be provided to students on return of their assignment. The marking sheet is available on Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (18 May 2020) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Monday (8 June 2020)


Weighting
35%

Assessment Criteria

You will be provided with an extensive marking guide with specific criteria and marks for each section of the case report (e.g., introduction, body, conclusion, APA format, written expression) that will be used to mark your case report. It is recommended to write your report closely following the provided marking guide on Moodle.

Some key criteria include:

1. A demonstrated ability to apply abnormal psychology concepts.

2. The use of succinct, formal and non-judgmental language.

3. Critical use of empirical research (at least 10 references, not including the textbook or references used for definitions of concepts or terms).

4. Consistent and accurate use of APA 7th edition referencing style.

As mentioned above, a detailed marking sheet with specific criteria and marks for each section of the case report is available on Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please label your uploaded file as "Surname First name PSYC13017 case report" . For example: Keleher Sharleen PSYC13017 case report

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critically evaluate the different theories of the aetiology of different psychological disorders and the basic approaches to the assessment and treatment of the major psychological disorders
  • Critically evaluate the previous research, psychological report writing, as well as current debates and controversies that exist about specific psychological disorders and the general field of abnormal psychology.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Ethical practice

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
35%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
20%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?