WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND GENDER DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Course Outline

INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL PATHOLOGY

Lecturer:

Course Objectives

1. To introduce and equip students with personality theories

2. To examine various selected types of maladaptive behavior
3. To compare western and traditional approaches to the treatment of maladaptive behavior

Teaching Methods
 Lectures
 Seminars
 Essays or Assignments
 Self Directed study
 Videos

Course Content
Course Assessment

1. Approaches and Theories of Personality

Psychoanalytic theory
Learning and behavior theories
Humanistic and existential Theories
Traditional theory

2. Maladaptive Behavior
Models of maladaptive behavior
Classification of maladaptive behavior

3. Forms of Disorders
Neurosis
Psychosis
Psychological disorders/ psychosomatic conditions
Anxiety disorder
Substance abuse
 4. Approaches to therapy
Psychoanalytic therapy
Behavior therapies
Humanistic and client Centered therapies
Traditional therapies

5. Mental Health Statutes and Policies in Zimbabwe

Mental Health Act 1996
Traditional Medical Practitioners Act

6. Social Work and Maladaptive behaviors and Disorders

The role of the social worker in the management of persons with maladaptive behavior

Continuous Assessment

Students write two essays during the course of the semester, one which will be tackled under
examination conditions. The essays will constitute 30% of the final course assessment.
Assignments should not exceed 1000 words of one and a half spacing using 12 font size. The
essays should be submitted on or before the due date, otherwise they will not be marked.

Final examination

The end of semester examination will constitute the remaining 70% of the final course
assessment.’

Reading list
Alloy, Riskind, & Manos,(2005). Abnormal Psychology: Current Perspectives. New York.

McGraw-Hill.

Barlow, D. H. (2009) Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach (5th Ed.).

CA Durand, V. M. Belmont, Wadsworth.

Binder, V. (1976) Modern Therapies, Englewood Cliffs. Prentice Hall

Bourdillion, M (1982) The Shona People, Gweru. Mambo Press

Chavunduka, G (1978) Traditional Healers and the Shona Patient, Gweru, Mambo
Press

Comer, R. J. (2010). Abnormal Psychology (7th Ed.). New York: Worth

Publishers.
Eysenck, H.J. (1961) Handbook on Abnormal Psychology, London. Routlelege
Kegan

Gorenstein, E. E. (2002). Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology. New York: Worth

Publishers.

& Comer, R. J.

Hjelle, L & ( 1981) Personality Theories. Tokyo, Mc Graw Hill

Lahey, B. & (1981) Maladaptive Behavior, Illinois, Scott and Freeman

Cimemeno A

Meyer, R.G., Chapman,. (2009). Cases studies in abnormal behavior (8th ed.). Boston:
Pearson L.K, Weaver, C.M Education, Inc.

Oltmanns, T.F. (1998). Abnormal Psychology (2nd Ed.). Englewood Cliffs,

& Emery, R.E Prentice Hall

Turner, F. J. (1986) Social Work Treatment: Interlocking Theoretical

Perspective

Acts of Parliament Government of Zimbabwe

1. Mental Health Act 1996
2. Traditional Medical Practitioners Act

TUTORIAL QUESTIONS:
1. Examine Freud’s psychoanalytical theory
2. Compare and contrast any two behavioral theories
3. Consider the role of traditional medicine in the treatment of maladaptive behavior
4. Consider the role of social workers in drug and alcohol abuse
5. Discuss the DSMIV classification of maladaptive behavior
6. Write short notes on the following
a) Anxiety disorders
b) Classical conditioning
c) Bandura’s behavioral model
7. Examine the factors that lead to drug and alcohol abuse in Zimbabwe.
8. Traditional medicine has no role in the treatment of maladaptive behavior. Discuss