Course profile

Psychopathology (PSYC3102)

Study period
Sem 1 2026
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Psychology School

The course provides an overview of the nature and history of abnormal behaviour and then examines the predominant models underlying our understanding of abnormality. Detailed descriptions and empirical research relating to a range of clinical problems form the core of the course. Topics include schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality, somatoform and dissociative disorders, and disorders of childhood. Presentations of clinical problems are supported by outside speakers or video based illustrations. There is an emphasis upon empirical evidence relating to the epidemiology, aetiology, and treatment of the clinical problems covered during the course. Students will also gain an introduction to the National Practice Standards for Mental Health Workforce.

Staff Introductions


Course Co-ordinator:ﾠ ProfessorﾠGenevieve Dingle


Genevieve is a registered clinical psychologist and Professor at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland. She completed her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of QLD and practiced in adult psychiatric hospitals, veterans' mental health, and alcohol and other drug treatment services from 1995 to 2007, when she returned to academia. She continues to contribute to the clinical psychology profession through training and supervision of provisional psychologists and clinical research. Genevieve's research interests are in non-medical approaches to social inclusion and mental health, including music, arts and nature-based programs (also known as social prescribing). Genevieve was the Director of clinical psychology programs at UQ from 2022-2024 and she has convened courses on psychotherapies, addiction science and practice, and research dissertations.


Tutorsﾠ


In general, the PSYC3102 tutors are undertaking postgraduate training in psychology, and/or working in psychology practice.ﾠThey have some clinical experience and have undertaken training in the assessment and diagnosis of psychopathology.ﾠThe tutors have a strong interest in clinical psychology, in particular psychopathology.


Introduction to Psychopathology & Course Overviewﾠ

Psychopathology: An academic challenge. The field of abnormal behaviour is fascinating and is bound to hold your interest.ﾠ Indeed, many people who study psychopathology decide to continue their studies and training in this area.ﾠ The field of psychopathology is devoted to the study of abnormal behaviour.ﾠ This course will present empirical approaches to mental disorders of all age groups.ﾠ Given that ideas about what is 'abnormal' psychological functioning have changed throughout recorded history, a historical overview of the classification and treatment of mental disorders is provided first. This is followed by a broad introduction to the classification, assessment and diagnosis of abnormal behaviour.ﾠ Contemporary etiological theories of abnormal behaviour are then introduced.ﾠ After establishing these foundations of psychopathology, the remainder of the course covers all major mental disorders, each of which will be discussed with respect to: assessment, diagnosis and classification; epidemiology; course of the disorder; etiological theories presented from an integrative perspective that stresses the importance of multifactorial rather than unifactorial approaches; and treatment.ﾠ Although therapeutic interventions for specific disorders will be surveyed, they will not be a major focus of this course.


Psychopathology: A personal challenge.ﾠ As well as finding the course academically challenging and stimulating, you will probably find some of the material personally challenging.ﾠ For example, the Lived Experience speakers will talk candidly about their own experiences of mental disorders, which may challenge your attitudes about those who suffer mental disorders.ﾠ There is still considerable misunderstanding and ignorance in the community concerning mental disorders.ﾠ It is likely that many of you will have a family member or friend who is experiencing a mental disorder.ﾠ In addition, you have probably experienced psychological problems that are to some extent similar to the types of disorders and symptoms discussed in the course.ﾠ You may also identify with aspects of some of the cases presented in lectures and tutorials.ﾠ Hence, in addition to the academic knowledge and skills you acquire in this course, it is hoped that you will also learn more about yourself!


How to approach the course. While learning about the psychological problems that people experience, there are several important points to keep in mind throughout the course.ﾠ First, the study of abnormality by psychologists is a subset of general psychology, which means we try to approach it with a scientific attitude.ﾠ Because abnormality is often so interesting in its own right, it is easy to lose track of psychology’s goal of explaining how problems come about and devising means of preventing and treating them.


Second, there is sometimes a tendency to romanticize abnormality, to think that people with interesting problems are somehow charismatic and special.ﾠ Although we can celebrate the strengths in everyone, mental illness should be viewed in a similar way as physical illness (rather than something romantic). The guest speakers in this course who speak about their psychological disorders will also share about the suffering and pain that their problems have caused.


Third, many problems exist in degrees, which means that you should not panic simply because part of what you experience in your life is similar to the striking cases of psychological abnormality described in this course.ﾠ Indeed, sadness and worry, confusion and hurt are all part of the human condition.

Course requirements

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

2 courses from PSYC2020 or PSYC2030 or PSYC2040 or PSYC2050

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

PSYC4102

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Note that there are 3 components to this course: the 2-hour lecture, the 1-hour lived experience speaker workshop (before the lecture) and a 1-hour tutorial (various times across the rest of the week). Please check timetable information. The large group sessions (workshop and lecture) will be recorded and made available for delayed viewing. However, tutorial attendance is expected in person.

Aims and outcomes