Psychopathology and treatment are fascinating topics in psychology. When do individual differences become pathological? How can we help people develop adaptive functioning in our complex society? Here are some of the courses we offer that consider psychopathology and treatment in the department; not all courses are offered each year so check the University Calendar. 
 

PSYCO 339 - Abnormal Psychology

This course is a detailed introduction to abnormal psychology and psychopathology. The topics include distinction between normality and abnormality, diagnosis, etiology and treatment. The classification scheme (DSM IV) developed by the American Psychiatric Association is the basis on which various psychopathological categories are selected for discussion. Current topics such as community mental health, legal and ethical issues are also discussed. Prerequisite: PSYCO 233. 

PSYCO 377 - Human Neuropsychology

Changes in mood, motivation, perception, attention, memory and language as revealed by studies of structural alterations in the human brain. Prerequisites: PSYCO 275. 

PSYCO 385 - Applications of Learning

An examination of the ways in which principles of conditioning and learning have been applied to areas of human concern. Biomedical and behavioural implications of learning principles will be examined in terms of the empirical foundations of the principles, and the successes or problems encountered in applying the principles to the understanding or treatment of human behaviour. Prerequisites: PSYCO 381. 

PSYCO 403 - Recent Advances in Experimental Psychology: Models and Theories

Topic: The Nature/Nurture Controversy

Seminar format; limited to about 20 students. No text; current readings will be placed on reserve. The first few classes will involve guest speakers and discussions of readings. Students will do library research on topics of special interest to them, write an essay and a term paper, and present their findings to the class. Topics will include: The hunt for the elusive schizophrenia gene; Can IQ be changed through education, or was the Bell Curve right?; The role of science in eugenic sterilization in Alberta; Targeted mutations (knockouts) of specific genes in mice; Challenges to the reductionist perspective in behavior genetics. Prerequisites: STAT 151 (or former PSYCO 211), a 300-level psychology course. 

PSYCO 403 - Recent Advances in Experimental Psychology: Models and Theories

Topic: The Psychology of Criminal Conduct

The PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT is intended to familiarize students with an extensive literature on individual (psychological and biological) factors in anti-social and criminal behaviour. The course will explore questions such as: "Cognition and Crime", "Psychopathy", "Biological Correlates of Anti-social Behaviour", "Crime and Mental Disorders", "Sexual Deviation and Sexual Crime". Additionally, through an examination of the application of this research to clinical assessment and treatment of offenders, this course is an introduction to the field of Forensic Psychology. Prerequisites: PSYCO 104, 105, 233, and 339, and STAT 151 (or former PSYCO 211). 

PSYCO 431- Theory and Practice of Psychometrics

This course aims to provide an overview of theories, principles, and applications of psychological testing and assessment. The focus is on standardized psychological tests in the areas of intelligence, aptitude, personality, interests, attitudes and values. In addition, recent advances in psychological assessment including behavioural assessment, clinical neuropsychology and testing in health-care settings will be discussed. The major theoretical issues discussed are reliability, validity, norms and the interpretation of test scores. Controversial issues relating to misuse of tests, social and ethical implications, and diagnostic use of assessment techniques are critically examined. The laboratory component of the course aims to provide: (1) experience in administration and scoring of major standardized group tests, (2) knowledge of statistical methods for determining reliability and validity of test data, and (3) experience in test construction. This course does not provide laboratory experience in individual intelligence tests and projective techniques, although a thorough discussion of these tests is presented in the lectures. Prerequisites: STAT 151 (or former PSYCO 211) and PSYCO 339 or consent of the department. 

PSYCO 435- Introduction to Clinical Psychology

This course reviews the major aspects of the profession of clinical psychology, emphasizing the application of scientific psychology to explanation, description and intervention with serious psychiatric disorders in adulthood. Assignments and other examples allow students the opportunity to apply principles rom Psychology 339 to cases involving anxiety, affective, personality, and schizophrenic disorders. Prerequisite: PSYCO 339. 

A critical examination of some fundamental psychological and social-psychological concepts, such as alienation, dissociation, self-deception, and self-estrangement. The focus of the course is to understand these concepts within such perennial dichotomies as mind-body, subjective-objective, thought-action, and individual-collective. The objective of the course is to understand the personal and communal narratives we tell about the course of our lives. Prerequisites: PSYCO 233 and 339. 

PSYCO 496 / PSYCO 498 - Individual Research

A course designed to allow the senior undergraduate student the opportunity to pursue a research topic in greater depth than the classroom structure permits. This pursuit may take the form of directed reading, library research, and/or laboratory experience. A formal paper, research proposal, research report, annotated bibliography, lab notes, and/or essay is required. Prerequisites: A 300-level psychology course and consent of the Department.