Cognitive Science 0233 - Abnormal Psychology

It seems like today almost everyone you meet has a psychological disorder, is taking medications, or seeing a psychologist. Why is this? Is it something in our culture? our environment? our genetics? This course will examine psychopathologies such as Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Eating Disorders, Schizophrenia and others from multiple perspectives. We will examine the role of culture, experience, and brain development in the development of these disorders using psychological and neuroscientific perspectives. Students do not need to have any specific background but should be willing to read scientific articles and open to understanding not only the role of culture and society in in these disorders but the biological underpinnings as well. Students will be expected to read primary research, write several short papers, as well as complete a course long project that will be presented to the class.

Mind, Brain, and Information Writing and Research This is a course in the Culture, Brain and Development Program.