HPS/Pl 134: Abnormal Psychology
Professor: Dominic Murphy
Email: murphy@hss.caltech.edu
Spring 2006
Course Description:
This course provides an survey of issues in contemporary theories of abnormal psychology. The course will have two main concerns. First, we will look at the conceptual issues involved in defining and classifying mental illness. Second, we will look at several psychological disorders with special attention to theories of their causes. Special attention will be paid to theories that stress the interaction of psychological and social processes in the production of abnormal psychology, including the historical development of those theories. We will also ask questions about the significance of mental disorders for understanding rationality and human action in non-pathological cases. The conditions that may be discussed include addictions, psychopathy, autism, delusions, multiple personality disorder and anxiety disorders.
Files:
Readings