Information
about suicide - A huge number of links
Information about different mental disorders can be found at Psychiatry
24x7 or try Mental Health
Chapter 15 exercises - Abnormal NOTE: Make sure
that you reword this information in YOUR
words. If you just copy word for word from the book or links, the assignment
will not count. In
addition, if you can't find the material on the web site, try using
your book.
*EXERCISE 1 - Popular media portrayal
Watch either serious movie and a comedy about someone who obviously
displays some abnormal behavior. Need some suggestions? Check out Psychmovies
by Dr. Cannon.
1. According to the book and notes, how do psychologists define psychological
disorders (what are the conditions or criteria for abnormal behavior)?
2. How does the movie define the person's behavior as abnormal? In
other words, how does it fit the conditions listed? Make sure to give me
specific examples of how the behavior fits abnormal conditions.
*EXERCISE 2
Forensic Psychiatry
- A list of the different state laws and other legal issues of insanity.
The questions can be answered by just using this website. More information
about what the insanity defense actually is can be found at court
tv's web site (news article). Other articles on the insanity defense
can be found at this court
tv site. Make sure to use the book and notes.
1. What are the different state laws?
2. How often is a person aquitted by reasons of insanity?
3. What happens when a person is found not guilty by reasons of insanity?
*EXERCISE 3 - Cultural issues in mental illness
This site by Dr.
Ritts gives some examples of how psychopathology can vary between cultures.
Chose 1 culture and discuss how this culture varies in comparison to the
U.S.
*EXERCISE 4 - Information about the frequency of mental disorders
and the cost to the nation.
Using this site from APA:
and the Surgeon
General website
1. What percentation of Americans currently have a diagnosable mental
illness?
2. What are the most common mental disorders?
3. What does this translate to in terms of cost to businesses?