Abnormal Psychology Course (Level 3 Diploma)

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain a diploma in Abnormal Psychology. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning Abnormal Psychology is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for an exam or career through home study. What's more, because the distance learning Level 3 Abnormal Psychology course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

This Level 3 Diploma Course in Abnormal Psychology is specifically designed for those interested in this field and wish to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of the subject area. The course will take students from the introduction and background of mental health to more detail and in depth topic areas.

KEY TOPICS

Module 1 - Defining Mental Illness
Module 2 - What is Abnormal Psychology?
Module 3 - The Psychoanalytic Approach
Module 4 - Carl Jung and Post Freudians
Module 5 - Biological, Behaviourist and Humanistic Approaches
Module 6 – Schizophrenia
Module 7 – Depression
Module 8 - Women and Madness
Module 9 - The Anti-Psychiatry Approach
Module 10 - Methods and Ethics

HOME STUDY SUPPORT

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete your course of study. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact our Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

What's more, you'll have access to the online student portal, where you can interact with other students, browse our resource library and manage your account.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Final online multiple choice examination - 100% of the final mark.

When you have completed the programme, your tutor needs to verify that you have worked through all parts of any Workbooks, Activities and Exercises successfully.

Upon verification of the activities, exercises and assignments, you will be awarded your diploma by OLQA as confirmation that your written work has met all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the programme.

COURSE DURATION

We recommended you spend approximately 400 hours of your time studying for the course name. The pace of study is completely up to you. To give an example, if you dedicate 8 hours a week to the course it would take you a year to complete but if you could spare 16 hours a week you could complete it in six months.

Get started today, and you can earn your Level 3 OLQA Diploma in Abnormal Psychology in as little as six months, or take up to a year, if you prefer – the choice is yours.

HOME STUDY COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Abnormal Psychology and would like to take part in a highly rewarding home study course. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 12 months from initial registration with full tutor support.

The OLQA Level 3 Abnormal Psychology course is divided into ten comprehensive modules:

Module 1 - Defining Mental Illness
The first module will approach the subject by looking at definitions and diagnoses of abnormal behavior. The course will challenge the standard common-sense assumptions and encourage the student to critically evaluate a number of different criteria.

A number of further skills will be developed to enhance the students' ability to interpret models of abnormal behavior and consider any biases that may be present as well as risk factors.

Some aspects of abnormal behavior are rare and the challenge presented by this will be looked at.

Module 2 - What is Abnormal Psychology?
Module two looks at what can be referred to as normal and abnormal behavior from a historical, philosophical and political perspective. The historical approach will demonstrate how opinions have changed over time.

A number of theoretical and psychological definitions will be examined. The subject of labeling theory will be looked at to consider the implications and consequences of this. A review will take place of the differing roles, responsibilities and capabilities of people who deal with mental illness and abnormal behavior.

Module 3 - The Psychoanalytic Approach
In this module students will be introduced to the Psychoanalytic paradigm that began with Sigmund Freud. He had a strong belief that unconscious conflicts deriving from childhood were responsible for maladaptive behavior in an individual's adulthood. The module examines the life of Freud and goes onto look at how important his work is in regards to abnormal behavior.

It is anticipated that students will use the information gained from this module to gain a better understanding of conflicts that arise as a result of understanding the actions of themselves and of others.

Module 4 - Carl Jung and Post Freudians
This module will focus on the work of Carl Gustav Jung. Jung introduced a theory of Analytical Psychology which will be looked at in greater detail within the unit. The psychology behind his theory was based around wholeness and integration of the psyche and he was less interested in method and theories. His beliefs contrasted those of Freud by focusing upon the future and societal influences upon the personality.

Students will look at the symbols and archetypes thought by Jung to be at the root of mental disturbances.

Module 5 - Biological, Behaviourist and Humanistic Approaches
This unit will examine the three theoretical approaches that can be used to treat mental illnesses. Each approach will be examined in terms of strengths and weaknesses to assess their validity in the present day.

Module 6 – Schizophrenia
Major disturbances in thought, emotion and behavior are used to characterize the causes of Schizophrenia. Students will spend time looking at the origin of the disorder, prevalence rates and the methods of treating it. Details of the drug therapy will be discussed, focusing on the boundaries of such treatment along with a review of the psychosocial factors involved.

Module 7 – Depression
This module examines the reasons why so many people still suffer from depression and how rates of this disorder differ between age groups. Students will also examine the prevalence of depression, the treatments available, implications on quality of life and the aetiology of depression.

The positive aspects of the disorder will also be looked at and the potential for change.

Module 8 - Women and Madness
In the module students will learn how many theorists have the controversial belief that women cannot cope with the demands being placed upon them. The theories have statistical information related to mental health that does support the theorists. Students will be asked to assess just how far women have come since the repressive ideologies of Victorian England. Based on research women appear to be an especially vulnerable group and the module looks at how the treatment of them has changed over the years.

Module 9 - The Anti-Psychiatry Approach
This module introduces students to the Anti Psychiatry movement and the work of R. D. Laing who took on the established order of the medical approach to mental illness.

In the 1960's the Anti-Psychiatrists broadened issues connected with mental illness to factors such as the family and the analysis of the Psychiatry itself. Laing believed that it imposed judgments of mental illness upon people within society who stood out as being 'different'.

Module 10 - Methods and Ethics
Students are introduced to the importance of research. The role of research into Abnormal Behaviour is reviewed and the rules of scientific enquiry that govern the definition and search for knowledge in the field of abnormal behaviour. 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'.

No prior knowledge or experience is required.