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HE Unit Template
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Abnormal Behaviour and Disorders
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BEHAV2002 - Abnormal Behaviour and Disorders
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20250200
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Course
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Unit
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2.1
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Psychology
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Institute of Health and Wellbeing
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Psychology
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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090701
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Psychology
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090701 - Psychology
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/behav2002">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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7
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Bachelor Degree
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Intermediate
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1
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<p>Around 25% of the population will suffer from mental illness at a time within their lives, and many others are likely to know someone who is afflicted. Many shun help because of the attendant stigma, and suffering is then often prolonged. This unit seeks to decrease stigma through knowledge. A wide range of disorders are examined, along with their causes and treatment options according to various paradigms. The complexities of defining the concept of abnormal will be discussed, along with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and alternative methods of describing, classifying and diagnosing mental illness.</p>
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<p>Topics may include:</p>
<p>1. personality disorders</p>
<p>2. mood disorders</p>
<p>3. anxiety and stress disorders</p>
<p>4. schizophrenia</p>
<p>5. substance related disorders</p>
<p>6. developmental disorders</p>
<p>7. the complexities of defining the concept of abnormal</p>
<p>8. somatoform and dissociative disorders</p>
<p>9. sexual and gender identity disorders</p>
<p>10. eating disorders</p>
<p>11. suicide</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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Semester
0200
Year
Year
2027
Current Year
2026
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BEHAV2002 - Abnormal Behaviour and Disorders
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BEHAV2002 - Abnormal Behaviour and Disorders
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Unit
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Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>Around 25% of the population will suffer from mental illness at a time within their lives, and many others are likely to know someone who is afflicted. Many shun help because of the attendant stigma, and suffering is then often prolonged. This unit seeks to decrease stigma through knowledge. A wide range of disorders are examined, along with their causes and treatment options according to various paradigms. The complexities of defining the concept of abnormal will be discussed, along with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and alternative methods of describing, classifying and diagnosing mental illness.</p>
Unit content
<p>Topics may include:</p> <p>1. personality disorders</p> <p>2. mood disorders</p> <p>3. anxiety and stress disorders</p> <p>4. schizophrenia</p> <p>5. substance related disorders</p> <p>6. developmental disorders</p> <p>7. the complexities of defining the concept of abnormal</p> <p>8. somatoform and dissociative disorders</p> <p>9. sexual and gender identity disorders</p> <p>10. eating disorders</p> <p>11. suicide</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Psychology
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090701 - Psychology
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/behav2002">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>the student has achieved at least 60 Credit Points prior to enrolment</p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
<p>must not have completed 1 of "ATSGC2820" / "<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=PSYCB3102" target="_blank">PSYCB3102</a>"</p>
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Describe the complexities of mental disorders and better identify the experience of those personally or otherwise directly affected;</p>
K2
<p>Be aware of, and assess, the nuances to the concept of "normality" and the power of labelling</p>
K3
<p>Describe the current theoretical debates that influence the practice of Clinical Psychology</p>
K4
<p>Develop a deeper knowledge of individual disorders, what might cause them, and how they can be treated</p>
S1
<p>Demonstrate an ability to utilise the DSM-V to classify and develop strategies for treatment of mental disorders</p>
A1
<p>Conduct evaluations of mentally ill people effectively and communicate their own, and others, research ideas cogently in written reports and presentations</p>
A2
<p>Apply psychological theories to diverse contexts (e.g., labelling, pathological behaviour)</p>
A3
<p>Research independently, evaluate and identify evidence appropriate for supporting ones position</p>
A4
<p>Demonstrate an ability to describe the categories of disorder and have knowledge of the construction of the DSM and other methods of classifying mental illness, how they are used, and their advantages and shortcomings</p>
A5
<p>Critically evaluate and adapt their own attitudes towards those afflicted, and thus combat prejudice and stigma</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Demonstrate and apply knowledge from the lecture, tutorials and textbook in responses to exam questions</p>
<p>Quiz(zes)</p>
<p>20-30%</p>
K1, K3, K4, A2, A4, A5
2
<p>Written assignment: Students consider the case notes of a client reporting a set of behaviours and utilise the DSM and other relevant literature to diagnose and provide suggestions for suitable treatment.</p>
<p>Case Study</p>
<p>30-40%</p>
K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5
3
<p>Demonstrate and apply knowledge from the lecture, tutorials and textbook in responses to exam questions</p>
<p>Test</p>
<p>35-45%</p>
K1, K3, K4, A2, A4, A5
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Psychology
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090701 - Psychology
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/behav2002">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: BEHAV2002 - U2.1