Abnormal Psychology Learning Objectives

General learning outcomes

  1. To what extent do biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence abnormal behaviour?
  2. Evaluate psychological research relevant to the study of abnormal behaviour.

Concepts and diagnosis

  1. Examine the concepts of normality and abnormality.
  2. Discuss validity and reliability of diagnosis.
  3. Discuss cultural and ethical considerations in diagnosis.

Psychological disorders

  1. Describe symptoms and prevalence of one anxiety/affective/eating disorder.
  2. Analyse etiologies (in terms of biological, cognitive and/or sociocultural factors) of one anxiety/affective/eating disorder.

Implementing treatment

  1. Examine biomedical, individual and group approaches to treatment.
  2. Evaluate the use of biomedical, individual and group approaches to the treatment of one disorder.
  3. Discuss the use of eclectic approaches to treatment.
  4. Discuss the relationship between etiology and therapeutic approach in relation to one disorder.

HR Learning Objectives

General framework

  1. To what extent do biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence human relationships?
  2. Evaluate psychological research (that is, theories and/or studies) relevant to the study of human relationships.

 

Social responsibility

  1. Distinguish between altruism and prosocial behaviour.
  2. Contrast two theories explaining altruism in humans.
  3. Using one or more research studies, explain cross-cultural differences in prosocial behaviour.
  4. Examine factors influencing bystanderism.

 

Interpersonal relationships

  1. Examine biological, psychological and social origins of attraction.
  2. Discuss the role of communication in maintaining relationships.
  3. Explain the role that culture plays in the formation and maintenance of relationships.
  4. Analyse why relationships may change or end.

 

Violence

  1. Evaluate sociocultural explanations of the origins of violence.
  2. Discuss the relative effectiveness of two strategies for reducing violence.
  3. Discuss the effects of short-term and long-term exposure to violence.

SCLOA Learning Objectives

General learning outcomes

  1. Outline principles that define the sociocultural level of analysis.
  2. Explain how principles that define the sociocultural level of analysis may be demonstrated in research.
  3. Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the sociocultural level of analysis.
  4. Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the sociocultural level of analysis.

Sociocultural cognition

  1. Describe the role of situational and dispositional factors in explaining behaviour.
  2. Discuss two errors in attributions.
  3. Evaluate social identity theory, making reference to relevant studies.
  4. Explain the formation of stereotypes and their effect on behaviour.

Social norms

  1. Explain social learning theory, making reference to two relevant studies.
  2. Discuss the use of compliance techniques.
  3. Evaluate research on conformity to group norms.
  4. Discuss factors influencing conformity.

Cultural norms

  1. Define the terms “culture” and “cultural norms”.
  2. Examine the role of two cultural dimensions on behaviour.
  3. Using one or more examples, explain “emic” and “etic” concepts.

CLOA Learning Objectives

General learning outcomes

  1. Outline principles that define the cognitive level of analysis.
  2. Explain how principles that define the cognitive level of analysis may be demonstrated in research.
  3. Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the cognitive level of analysis.
  4. Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the cognitive level of analysis.

 

Cognitive processes

  1. Evaluate schema theory with reference to research studies.
  2. Evaluate two models or theories of one cognitive process with reference to research studies.
  3. Explain how biological factors may affect one cognitive process.
  4. Discuss how social or cultural factors affect one cognitive process.
  5. With reference to relevant research studies, to what extent is one cognitive process reliable.
  6. Discuss the use of technology in investigating cognitive processes.

Cognition and emotion

  1. To what extent do cognitive and biological factors interact in emotion.
  2. Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process.

 

BLOA Learning Objectives

General Learning Outcomes:

  1. Outline principles that define the biological level of analysis.
  2. Explain how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be demonstrated in research (that is, theories and/or studies).
  3. Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysis (for example, experiments, observations, correlational studies).
  4. Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the biological level of analysis.

 

Physiology and Behaviour:

  1. Explain one study related to localisation of function in the brain.
  2. Using one or more examples, explain effects of neurotransmission on human behaviour.
  3. Using one or more examples, explain functions of two hormones in human behaviour.
  4. Discuss two effects of the environment on physiological processes.
  5. Examine one interaction between cognition and physiology in terms of behaviour. Evaluate two relevant studies.
  6. Discuss the use of brain imaging technologies (for example, CAT, PET, fMRI) in investigating the relationship between biological factors and behaviour.

 

Genetics and Behaviour:

  1. With reference to relevant research studies, to what extent does genetic inheritance influence behaviour?
  2. Examine one evolutionary explanation of behaviour.
  3. Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour.