Abnormal Psychology

[beckysharp]

Here's my notes about this exam and how to prepare.

I read the Harper Collins College Outline Series Abnormal Psychology. It wasn't the best source, but it gave me a good foundation and it was cheap. The guided learning package for this course with exam fees is over $400.00. My text was $5.00.

SparkCharts Abnormal Psychology

The best information I picked up at The Excelsior Peer network.( I steal better than I create.)

Know the five paradigms:everthing hinges on these. Psychoanalytic, Biological, Behavioral-Cognitive, Humanistic and Environmental.
Also, the treatments associated with each. A Cognitive treatment might be changing your thinking about a phobia, a Behavioral treatment might consist of "flooding" and a Psychoanalytical treatment would tie the phobia to an unconcious conflict.

Need to know legal rulings and how they've been applied : McNaghten and Durham.

Know who Kaplan, Dix, Rush, Kraeplin, Ellis, Rogers, Mesmer, Charcot, Bleuer are and what they are known for.

Know the difference between schizoid, schizotypal, and the three forms of schizophrenia. Schizoid and Schizotypal have nothing to do with Schizophrenia.

Know the Personality Disorders and each category they belong to.

Be familiar with sexual dysfunction and paraphillas.

Freud- id, ego and superego, unconcious conflicts.

Review autism, learning disabilities, mental retardation

Different forms of IQ, personality and neurological tests.

Know somaform, psychogenic, dissociative.

Know the diathesis stress model and reliability, validity in experiments and testing.

Know the DSM categories-the five Axis- Clinical, Personality, General Medical, Environmental, Overall Functioning.
Also, why some feel these categories are complete and exact and others feeling they are inadequate and stigmifying.

I used these practice exams and looked up everything I didn't recognize. Excelsior recommends the 9th edition of the Wiley book, but the Student companion sites have 15 to 30 questions per chapter for editions 8, 9 and 10. That's all the practice questions you'll need.

http://www.wiley.com/college/bcs/0471318116/wave_s.html
http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action...bcsId=1638
http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action...bcsId=3057
From wiley.com Higher Education Site, then go to Student Companion site

These three books have a treasure trove of chapter summaries, powerpoint files, practice quizzes, web links. (in some places, I had to sign in with my name and school, but no problems getting in.

http://www.wwnorton.com/abnormal/quiz.htm

Best of luck.