Ch 24: Abnormal Psychology Basics: Homeschool Curriculum
About This Chapter
Who's it for?
This unit of our High School Psychology Homeschool course will benefit any student who is trying to learn about common psychological disorders. There is no faster or easier way to learn about abnormal psychology basics. Among those who would benefit are:
- Students who require an efficient, self-paced course of study to learn about the causes of abnormal behavior or abnormal human development.
- Homeschool parents looking to spend less time preparing lessons and more time teaching.
- Homeschool parents who need a psychology curriculum that appeals to multiple learning types (visual or auditory).
- Gifted students and students with learning differences.
How it works:
- Students watch a short, fun video lesson that covers a specific unit topic.
- Students and parents can refer to the video transcripts to reinforce learning.
- Short quizzes and the Abnormal Psychology Basics unit exam confirm understanding or identify any topics that require review.
Abnormal Psychology Basics Unit Objectives:
- Learn to define mental health.
- Explore the dimensions of psychopathology.
- Explore the history of abnormality in psychology.
- Study biological and medical abnormalities.
1. What is Abnormal Psychology? - Definition and Common Disorders Studied
What is abnormality? How do psychologists study abnormality? In this lesson, we will define abnormal psychology, look at two theories to explain what causes abnormality and examine three examples of disorders studied in abnormal psychology.
2. The Psychology of Abnormal Behavior: Understanding the Criteria & Causes of Abnormal Behavior
What is abnormal behavior? In this lesson, we will look at how psychologists define abnormality, the criteria they use to identify it, and some common causes of abnormal behavior.
3. Abnormal Human Development: Definition & Examples
Abnormal development occurs when a person develops an unusual pattern of behavior, emotion or thought. In this lesson, you will learn what abnormal development is, how it is determined and examine different examples.
4. Biological and Medical History of Abnormality in Psychology
Somatogenic theory views mental illness as a medical condition and dates back to ancient Greece. In this lesson, we will look at the history of somatogenic theory, including key historical figures like Hippocrates, Franz Anton Mesmer, Benjamin Rush, and Emil Kraepelin.
5. Mental Health & Psychopathology: Definition & Dimensions
In this lesson, we will explore some of the basic ways that we differentiate between mental health and psychopathology. Included in this is looking at social, behavioral, thought, and emotional processes.
6. Psychoanalytic Schools Approach to Psychopathology Theory
Here, we will explore the basic tenants of psychoanalysis and psychodynamic theories as they relate to psychopathology. Two techniques for treatment are also explored briefly.
7. The Psychodynamic Model and Abnormal Functioning
There are many ways to view the causes and treatments of psychological disorders. In this lesson, we'll look closer at the psychodynamic model of psychology and its benefits and drawbacks.
8. Assessing the Psychodynamic Model: Strengths and Weaknesses
When people think about psychology, many immediately think of Sigmund Freud. But, how good were his ideas? In this lesson, we'll look at the psychodynamic model of psychology and its strengths and weaknesses.
9. Humanistic Approach to Psychopathology Theory
Here, we look at what gave rise to humanism and some of the field's basic ideas. We will also look into how humanism views psychopathology, as well as how it treats it.
10. Assessing the Humanistic-Existential Model: Strengths and Limitations
Much of psychology focuses on the negative parts of human experience, but the humanistic-existential model of psychology looks at the positive potential of humans. In this lesson, we'll look at the strengths and weaknesses of the model.
11. The Behavioral Model and Abnormal Functioning
What causes mental illness? Why do some people have psychological problems, while others don't? In this lesson, we'll look at one theory of abnormal psychology, the behavioral model.
12. Assessing the Behavioral/Learning Model in Psychotherapy
Behavioral therapy is a popular way to treat certain psychological disorders. But how well does it work? And is it the best choice? In this lesson, we'll explore the strengths and weaknesses of the behavioral model of abnormality.
13. Sources of Biological Abnormalities: Genetics & Evolution
There are many factors that can affect a person's mental health. How do elements like genetics and evolution play a role in psychology? In this lesson, we'll look closer at how genetics and evolution can affect mental illness.
14. Assessing the Biological Model: Strengths and Weaknesses
What causes mental illness? Some psychologists believe that psychological disorders are caused by physical problems. In this lesson, we'll assess the strengths and limitations of the biological model of abnormality.
15. The Sociocultural Model and Abnormal Functioning
There are many theories on what causes psychological issues. In this lesson, we'll explore the sociocultural model of abnormality, including what it is, what some key components of the theory are, and how sociocultural theorists treat abnormality.
16. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Sociocultural Model
How much of an impact do society and culture have on mental illness? Proponents of the sociocultural model believe that they play a major part. But there are both strengths and weaknesses of this model, which we'll examine in this lesson.
17. Physiological Causes & Explanations for Mental Illness
There are many factors that can affect a person's mental health, including physiological issues. In this lesson, we'll look at three major physical causes of psychological problems: infection, malnutrition, and metal poisoning.
18. The Cognitive Model in Psychology and Abnormal Functioning
Everyone has thoughts and beliefs. But how do those thoughts affect your mental health? In this lesson, we'll seek an answer to that question in the cognitive model of abnormal psychology and look closer at the A-B-C theory of processing.
19. Assessing the Cognitive Model in Psychology: Strengths and Weaknesses
The cognitive model of abnormality blames a person's thoughts for their psychological problems. But what makes it better than other psychological models? In this lesson, we'll look at the strengths and limitations of the cognitive model.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the High School Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum course
- History of Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Research Methods in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Data Collection: Homeschool Curriculum
- Sampling and Measurement: Homeschool Curriculum
- Statistics in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Biological Bases of Behavior: Homeschool Curriculum
- Sensing & Perceiving: Homeschool Curriculum
- Motivation in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Emotion in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Stress in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Developmental Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Learning & Development Theories: Homeschool Curriculum
- Biological Development: Homeschool Curriculum
- Sensory & Perceptual Development: Homeschool Curriculum
- Cognitive Development: Homeschool Curriculum
- Physical Development: Homeschool Curriculum
- Social Development: Homeschool Curriculum
- Personality Theory: Homeschool Curriculum
- Learning in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Memory & Cognition in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- Intelligence in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
- States of Consciousness: Homeschool Curriculum
- Social Psychology Theory: Homeschool Curriculum
- Psychological Disorders: Homeschool Curriculum
- Psychological Treatment: Homeschool Curriculum
- Ethics in Psychology: Homeschool Curriculum
