Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of classifying abnormal behaviour.

Alignment with learning outcomes: This assignment focuses on the following Learning Objectives: 1,3,4,6 & 7.

Unit LOs:

Relate their knowledge of personality, biological processes and human development to abnormal behaviour;
Contrast historical and current major theoretical perspectives of abnormal behaviour;
Attain insight into the way the theoretical perspective adopted by a clinician can influence the manner of explaining how a psychological disorder develops and how it is treated;
Demonstrate familiarity with methods of assessing psychological disorders and the main systems of classifying disorders;
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of classifying abnormal behaviour;
Describe the major types of psychological disorders and the major therapeutic approaches to abnormal behaviour; and
Attain an advanced level of skill in critical evaluation of previous research and
psychological report writing.

Details of task: This assignment will be a Clinical Case Study Report where students will be required to write a fabricated case study based upon one specific disorder to be chosen from:

childhood disorders
personality disorders
anxiety disorders
mood disorders.
Students will write a Clinical Report based on the details of the fabricated case study.

In class, students will be provided an opportunity to discuss diagnostic approaches (ICD10, DSM-V & experiential judgement), the mental state examination (MSE) and the structure of the clinical case study report with their tutor and peers.