Abnormal Psychology

Course Description

CLP2140 – Abnormal Psychology is a 3-credit, lower-division lecture course providing a systematic introduction to the scientific study of psychological disorders. The course addresses contemporary models of psychopathology; the diagnostic framework established by the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition Text Revision); major categories of psychological disorders including anxiety, mood, trauma- and stressor-related, obsessive-compulsive, schizophrenia spectrum, neurodevelopmental, dissociative, somatic, eating, sleep-wake, sexual, gender, substance-related, personality, and neurocognitive disorders; evidence-based treatment approaches; and contemporary issues including stigma reduction, cultural considerations in psychopathology, and the integration of mental health into broader healthcare. Throughout, the emphasis is on understanding psychological disorders within a scientific framework while maintaining respect for the lived experience of individuals affected by mental illness.

The course sits within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under Clinical Psychology > Foundational Coursework and is offered at approximately 27 Florida public institutions — among the most widely-offered psychology courses beyond the introductory level. CLP2140 is consistently a popular elective among AA-track students completing the social science portion of the State Core, and it is a prerequisite for many subsequent psychology and helping-professions coursework. The course satisfies social-science distribution requirements at most Florida institutions.

This course addresses sensitive topics including suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, substance use, and trauma. The course is designed and delivered with substantial attention to creating a learning environment that is both academically rigorous and supportive — recognizing that some students enrolled in CLP2140 may have personal experience with the disorders studied, may have family members or friends affected, or may be currently experiencing mental-health concerns themselves. Most institutions provide explicit information about institutional counseling services, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), and other support resources within the course materials. Faculty teaching this course typically include "trigger" warnings or content advisories before sensitive material, and most institutions have policies allowing students to step out during particularly difficult content if needed.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CLP2140, students will be able to:

• Describe the scientific study of psychopathology: the historical development of psychopathology study from supernatural explanations through medical/biological models to contemporary biopsychosocial frameworks; the contemporary scientific approach to psychological disorders; the relationship between research and clinical practice; the importance of evidence-based practice.
• Apply the biopsychosocial model to understanding psychological disorders: biological factors (genetics, brain structure and function, neurotransmitters, prenatal and developmental factors); psychological factors (cognitive patterns, learning history, emotional regulation, personality, coping strategies); social factors (family environment, cultural context, social support, life events, socioeconomic status, discrimination and trauma); the integration of these factors in understanding specific disorders.
• Apply the diagnostic framework of the DSM-5-TR: the structure and organization of the DSM; diagnostic criteria for major disorder categories; the strengths and limitations of the categorical-diagnostic approach; differential diagnosis at introductory level; the contemporary scholarly conversation about diagnostic frameworks (including transdiagnostic approaches and HiTOP).
• Describe and discuss anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder; panic disorder; agoraphobia; specific phobias; social anxiety disorder; selective mutism; separation anxiety disorder; the cognitive-behavioral, biological, and social factors in anxiety; evidence-based treatments (cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure-based interventions, SSRIs and other pharmacotherapy).
• Describe and discuss obsessive-compulsive and related disorders: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); body dysmorphic disorder; hoarding disorder; trichotillomania; excoriation disorder; the underlying mechanisms; evidence-based treatments (exposure and response prevention, cognitive-behavioral therapy, SSRIs).
• Describe and discuss trauma- and stressor-related disorders: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); acute stress disorder; adjustment disorders; reactive attachment disorder; the trauma-and-stress framework for understanding these disorders; evidence-based trauma-focused treatments (cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, EMDR, trauma-focused CBT).
• Describe and discuss depressive disorders: major depressive disorder; persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia); disruptive mood dysregulation disorder; premenstrual dysphoric disorder; the substantial public-health impact of depression; evidence-based treatments (cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, SSRIs and other pharmacotherapy, behavioral activation, ECT for severe cases). Suicide and suicidality coverage: the relationship between depression and suicide; risk and protective factors; the importance of taking suicidal ideation seriously; resources including 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. (Course coverage emphasizes prevention, recognition, and resource referral rather than method-specific content.)
• Describe and discuss bipolar and related disorders: bipolar I disorder; bipolar II disorder; cyclothymic disorder; the substantial heritability of bipolar disorder; evidence-based treatments (mood stabilizers including lithium, anticonvulsants, atypical antipsychotics, psychoeducation, structured therapy approaches).
• Describe and discuss schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders: schizophrenia; schizoaffective disorder; schizophreniform disorder; brief psychotic disorder; delusional disorder; the diagnostic distinction between positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, disorganization) and negative symptoms (avolition, alogia, anhedonia, asociality); evidence-based treatments (antipsychotic medications, psychosocial interventions, supported employment).
• Describe and discuss neurodevelopmental disorders: autism spectrum disorder; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); intellectual developmental disorder; specific learning disorders; communication disorders; motor disorders; the developmental framework for understanding these disorders; evidence-based interventions (early intervention, applied behavioral analysis at appropriate level, psychosocial supports, pharmacotherapy where indicated).
• Describe and discuss feeding and eating disorders: anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; binge-eating disorder; avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder; the substantial physical health risks; the importance of multidisciplinary treatment; evidence-based treatments (family-based treatment for adolescents, cognitive-behavioral therapy, medical stabilization where needed). (Course coverage emphasizes the disorder framework, recognition, and treatment referral rather than specific behavior-change techniques that could be misused.)
• Describe and discuss sleep-wake disorders: insomnia disorder; hypersomnolence; narcolepsy; breathing-related sleep disorders; circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders; parasomnias; the substantial impact of sleep disorders on overall health; evidence-based treatments (sleep hygiene, CBT-I, sleep medicine consultation).
• Describe and discuss somatic symptom and related disorders: somatic symptom disorder; illness anxiety disorder; conversion disorder; factitious disorder; the framework for understanding mind-body interaction; evidence-based treatments.
• Describe and discuss dissociative disorders: dissociative identity disorder; dissociative amnesia; depersonalization/derealization disorder; the relationship between dissociation and trauma; evidence-based treatments.
• Describe and discuss substance-related and addictive disorders: alcohol use disorder; opioid use disorder; stimulant use disorder; cannabis use disorder; tobacco use disorder; gambling disorder; the disease model of addiction; evidence-based treatments (medication-assisted treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, contingency management, 12-step programs); the substantial public-health impact of substance use disorders in Florida.
• Describe and discuss personality disorders: the categorical (DSM-5-TR) and dimensional (alternative DSM-5 model) approaches; Cluster A (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal); Cluster B (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic); Cluster C (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive); evidence-based treatments where established (dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder, mentalization-based treatment, schema therapy).
• Describe and discuss neurocognitive disorders: delirium; major neurocognitive disorder (dementia) including Alzheimer's disease, vascular, frontotemporal, Lewy body, traumatic brain injury, HIV-associated, prion disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, substance/medication-induced neurocognitive disorder; mild neurocognitive disorder; evidence-based interventions where established.
• Describe and discuss sexual dysfunctions, gender dysphoria, and paraphilic disorders: at appropriate level for an introductory course; the substantial scholarly conversation about diagnostic frameworks for these areas; the contemporary clinical and ethical considerations.
• Apply principles of cultural considerations in psychopathology: cross-cultural variation in disorder expression; culture-bound syndromes; the impact of cultural context on diagnosis and treatment; cultural humility in mental-health care; the importance of culturally-responsive treatment approaches.
• Apply principles of contemporary mental health treatment frameworks: evidence-based psychotherapy approaches; psychopharmacology overview; the integration of treatment modalities; the role of community-based mental-health services; contemporary debates about treatment access and equity.
• Discuss contemporary issues in mental health: stigma reduction efforts; the integration of mental health into primary care; mental health workforce shortages (substantial in Florida); telehealth and digital mental-health interventions; the COVID-19 pandemic's mental-health impact; the substantial mental-health needs in Florida communities.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on instructor selection:

• Engage with specific case studies illustrating disorder presentation, diagnostic process, and treatment.
• Engage with introductory awareness of forensic psychology and the criminal-legal system interface with mental health.
• Engage with introductory awareness of clinical psychology and counseling careers: the educational and licensure pathway for becoming a clinician (psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist).
• Engage with guest speakers: practicing clinicians; people with lived experience of mental illness who can speak to recovery and resilience; consumer-advocate organization representatives (NAMI Florida and others).
• Engage with introductory awareness of community-based mental-health resources in Florida: Florida Department of Children and Families behavioral health services; community mental-health centers; crisis stabilization services; mobile crisis units; the substantial gaps in Florida mental-health system coverage.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Scientific Study of Psychopathology: Historical development; contemporary scientific approach; research/clinical-practice relationship; evidence-based practice importance.
• Biopsychosocial Model: Biological factors (genetics, brain structure/function, neurotransmitters, developmental factors); psychological factors (cognitive patterns, learning history, emotional regulation, personality, coping); social factors (family, cultural context, social support, life events, SES, discrimination, trauma); integration in specific disorders.
• DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Framework: Structure and organization; diagnostic criteria for major categories; strengths and limitations of categorical approach; introductory differential diagnosis; contemporary alternative frameworks (transdiagnostic, HiTOP).
• Anxiety Disorders: Generalized anxiety; panic disorder; agoraphobia; specific phobias; social anxiety; selective mutism; separation anxiety; cognitive-behavioral/biological/social factors; evidence-based treatments (CBT, exposure, SSRIs).
• Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: OCD; body dysmorphic disorder; hoarding; trichotillomania; excoriation; underlying mechanisms; evidence-based treatments (ERP, CBT, SSRIs).
• Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders: PTSD; acute stress disorder; adjustment disorders; reactive attachment disorder; trauma-and-stress framework; trauma-focused treatments (CPT, PE, EMDR, TF-CBT).
• Depressive Disorders: Major depressive disorder; persistent depressive disorder; disruptive mood dysregulation; premenstrual dysphoric; public-health impact; evidence-based treatments (CBT, IPT, SSRIs/pharmacotherapy, behavioral activation, ECT for severe cases). Suicide prevention coverage emphasizes risk recognition, protective factors, and resource referral including 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
• Bipolar and Related Disorders: Bipolar I; bipolar II; cyclothymic; heritability; evidence-based treatments (mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, atypical antipsychotics, psychoeducation, structured therapy).
• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders: Schizophrenia; schizoaffective; schizophreniform; brief psychotic; delusional disorder; positive vs. negative symptoms; evidence-based treatments (antipsychotics, psychosocial interventions, supported employment).
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Autism spectrum; ADHD; intellectual developmental; specific learning disorders; communication disorders; motor disorders; developmental framework; evidence-based interventions.
• Feeding and Eating Disorders: Anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; binge-eating disorder; avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder; physical health risks; multidisciplinary treatment importance; evidence-based treatments (family-based treatment, CBT, medical stabilization). Coverage emphasizes recognition and treatment referral.
• Sleep-Wake Disorders: Insomnia; hypersomnolence; narcolepsy; breathing-related sleep disorders; circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders; parasomnias; impact on health; evidence-based treatments (sleep hygiene, CBT-I, sleep medicine).
• Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Somatic symptom disorder; illness anxiety; conversion disorder; factitious disorder; mind-body framework; evidence-based treatments.
• Dissociative Disorders: Dissociative identity disorder; dissociative amnesia; depersonalization/derealization; trauma relationship; evidence-based treatments.
• Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Alcohol; opioid; stimulant; cannabis; tobacco; gambling; disease model of addiction; evidence-based treatments (MAT, CBT, motivational interviewing, contingency management, 12-step); Florida public-health impact.
• Personality Disorders: Categorical and dimensional approaches; Cluster A (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal); Cluster B (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic); Cluster C (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive); evidence-based treatments where established (DBT for BPD, MBT, schema therapy).
• Neurocognitive Disorders: Delirium; major neurocognitive disorder (dementia) — Alzheimer's, vascular, frontotemporal, Lewy body, TBI, HIV-associated, prion, Parkinson's, Huntington's, substance/medication-induced; mild neurocognitive disorder; evidence-based interventions where established.
• Sexual Dysfunctions, Gender Dysphoria, and Paraphilic Disorders: At appropriate introductory level; contemporary diagnostic-framework conversation; clinical and ethical considerations.
• Cultural Considerations in Psychopathology: Cross-cultural variation; culture-bound syndromes; cultural context impact on diagnosis and treatment; cultural humility; culturally-responsive treatment.
• Contemporary Mental Health Treatment Frameworks: Evidence-based psychotherapy; psychopharmacology overview; treatment-modality integration; community-based services role; contemporary access and equity debates.
• Contemporary Issues in Mental Health: Stigma reduction; mental health/primary care integration; Florida workforce shortages; telehealth and digital interventions; COVID-19 pandemic mental-health impact; Florida community mental-health needs.

Optional Topics

• Specific Case Studies: Disorder presentation, diagnostic process, treatment.
• Forensic Psychology and Criminal-Legal System Interface: Introductory awareness.
• Clinical Psychology and Counseling Careers: Educational and licensure pathways for psychologist, psychiatrist, mental health counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist.
• Guest Speakers: Practicing clinicians; people with lived experience speaking to recovery and resilience; consumer-advocate organization representatives.
• Florida Community-Based Mental-Health Resources: Florida DCF behavioral health services; community mental-health centers; crisis stabilization services; mobile crisis units; Florida mental-health system coverage gaps.

Resources & Tools

• Most-adopted textbooks at Florida institutions: Abnormal Psychology by Comer (Worth/Macmillan) — among the most widely-adopted abnormal psychology textbooks; Abnormal Psychology by Barlow, Durand, Hofmann (Cengage); Abnormal Psychology by Nolen-Hoeksema (McGraw-Hill); Abnormal Psychology by Kring, Johnson, Davison, Neale (Wiley); Essentials of Abnormal Psychology by Durand, Barlow, Hofmann (Cengage — concise version).
• Reference resources: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) by the American Psychiatric Association — the authoritative diagnostic reference; ICD-11 awareness (the international diagnostic system maintained by WHO); the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website (free, nimh.nih.gov); the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website (free, samhsa.gov).
• Florida-specific resources: Florida Department of Children and Families Behavioral Health Services (myflfamilies.com); Florida community mental-health centers; Florida Behavioral Health Association; the substantial NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Florida network providing peer support and family education statewide.
• Online learning platforms: Worth/Macmillan LaunchPad (paired with Comer); Cengage MindTap (paired with Barlow et al.); McGraw-Hill Connect (paired with Nolen-Hoeksema); WileyPLUS (paired with Kring et al.).
• Open-access alternatives: The Abnormal Psychology section of OpenStax materials (free, openstax.org); LibreTexts behavioral sciences materials.
• Crisis and support resources (essential to share with students): 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — national crisis line, available 24/7 by call or text; Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741); National Alliance for Eating Disorder helpline; SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP); institution counseling services (most Florida institutions provide free or low-cost counseling for enrolled students).
• Online supplementary resources: Khan Academy Health and Medicine — Mental Health (free, basic supplementary content); American Psychological Association resources (apa.org); American Psychiatric Association patient resources (psychiatry.org).
• Tutoring and support: Institution psychology-program tutoring; faculty office hours; institutional psychology student organizations (Psi Chi at four-year programs, others); career-services support for psychology and helping-professions career exploration.

Career Pathways

CLP2140 is foundational for the broad range of psychology and helping-professions career pathways. Specific Florida career pathways supported include:

• Psychology Major/Bachelor's-Level Roles: Mental health technician; case management aide; behavioral health support staff; substance use disorder counselor (with additional credentialing); psychiatric technician (with additional credentialing).
• Master's-Level Mental Health Professional Pathways: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) — typically requires master's degree in counseling, post-degree clinical experience, and Florida licensure exam; Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT); Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — typically requires MSW, post-degree clinical experience, and Florida licensure exam; Substance Use Disorder Counselor; Mental Health Counselor in Florida community mental-health system.
• Doctoral-Level Pathways: Licensed Psychologist (PhD or PsyD) — typically requires doctoral degree, internship, post-doctoral experience, and Florida licensure; Psychiatrist (MD/DO) — requires medical school, psychiatry residency, and Florida medical licensure plus board certification; School Psychologist (with EdS or PhD).
• Allied-Health Pathways involving mental health: Nursing (with BSN, particularly for psychiatric/mental health nursing); Physician Assistant (with mental-health concentration); Occupational Therapy (with mental-health practice setting).
• Education and Helping-Professions Pathways: K-12 school counselor; school social worker; case manager; victim advocate; community health worker.
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Florida is a substantial substance-use-disorder treatment market; Florida Department of Children and Families regulates substance abuse services; multiple credentialing pathways through the Florida Certification Board (CAP, CRPS, MCAP, others).
• Articulation to Bachelor's Programs — CLP2140 satisfies psychology-major prerequisites and social-science elective requirements at most Florida BS-Psychology and BA-Psychology programs.
• Florida Mental Health Employment Landscape: Major Florida health systems with substantial behavioral health divisions; community mental-health centers (Aspire Health Partners, Lutheran Services Florida, Coastal Behavioral Healthcare, others); Florida Department of Children and Families behavioral health system; Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Florida facilities; Florida Department of Corrections mental health services; private practice; substance use disorder treatment facilities (substantial Florida industry).

Special Information

Articulation and Transfer

CLP2140 articulates broadly within the Florida public-college system per SCNS conventions. The course satisfies social-science distribution requirements at most Florida institutions and is required as a prerequisite for many subsequent psychology and helping-professions courses. Transfer with a grade of C or higher to upper-division institutions; specific articulation should be verified with the receiving institution.

Prerequisites

Standard prerequisites typically include:

• PSY2012 (Introduction to Psychology / General Psychology) with grade of C or higher — non-negotiable; CLP2140 builds on the foundational psychology concepts established in introductory psychology
• ENC1101 (College Composition I) with grade of C or higher (for college-level writing required for psychology coursework)

Specific prerequisites vary by institution.

Course Format and Workload

CLP2140 is a 3-credit lecture course meeting 3 hours per week for 15-16 weeks (45 contact hours total). The course is widely offered in face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online formats. Expect: substantial textbook reading; weekly assignments often including disorder analyses, case-study work, and reflection on contemporary mental-health issues; 3-4 unit exams; potentially a substantial term paper or project on a specific disorder, treatment approach, or contemporary mental-health issue; a comprehensive final exam.

Sensitive Content Considerations

CLP2140 addresses content that may be emotionally demanding for some students. The course is designed and delivered with attention to creating a learning environment that is both academically rigorous and supportive. Most institutions:

• Provide explicit information about institutional counseling services in course materials
• Provide information about crisis resources including 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Use content advisories before particularly sensitive material
• Have policies allowing students to step out during particularly difficult content
• Train faculty to handle student disclosures of personal mental-health concerns appropriately, including referral to appropriate institutional and community resources

Students experiencing personal mental-health concerns are encouraged to seek support from institutional counseling services, community resources, or crisis lines as needed. Disclosure of personal mental-health concerns to faculty is not required and is entirely the student's choice; faculty are not trained or licensed to provide clinical mental-health services and are typically required by institutional policy to refer students to appropriate resources rather than attempt to provide direct clinical support.

CLP2140 vs. Related Courses

Florida psychology coursework includes several related but distinct courses:

• CLP2140 (this course) — Abnormal Psychology — survey of psychological disorders for general students.
• PSY2012 (Introduction to Psychology / General Psychology) — introductory psychology survey; includes brief introduction to psychopathology as one chapter; foundational prerequisite.
• DEP2004 (Developmental Psychology) — lifespan development; complementary to CLP2140 but distinct focus.
• EXP3604 (Cognitive Psychology) — upper-division cognitive psychology; distinct from psychopathology focus.
• CLP4143 (Abnormal Psychology — upper division) — upper-division version of abnormal psychology at some institutions; CLP2140 may serve as prerequisite.

Course Code Variations

Florida institutions consistently use CLP2140 for this course. Course titles include "Abnormal Psychology," "Psychology of Maladjustment," "Psychopathology," and "Behavior Disorders." The course is consistently 3 credits with no laboratory.