Chpt. 11 - Personality Disorders
1.  Know the common feature(s) of this category of disorders.  Know how personality disorders differ from personality traits, and how these differ from clinical states.  You do NOT need to know the terms ego-dystonic or ego-syntonic.  

2.  Know the clusters of personality disorders, and the key features of each cluster.

3.  Know how personality disorders are coded within the DSM system, and how they may relate to various other DSM disorders.  Understand issue of dimensional vs categorical approach, and why it is particularly important in area of personality disorders.  Need NOT know the specifics, however, of the dimensional model of personality (as outlined in Figure 11.1 on page 384).

4.  For the specific personality disorders other than Borderline and Antisocial:  you needn’t know each disorder in very great detail, but do know the basics of each (e.g., do know key features, how to differentiate from each other, label disorder from example and vice versa.  You needn't know any specific etiological theories related to these specific disorders (eg, Kernberg's view of Narcissistic PD) nor treatments for these disorders specifically.

5.  Borderline and Antisocial Personality Disorders:  know basic types of symptoms in addition to major key features, and be able to identify these disorders from descriptions.  Know major etiological theories for these disorders, and when available what experimental findings have been used to support these theories (e.g., role of avoidance learning for ASP).  Know treatments that have been used for the disorders, with some details about important features of the treatment and about its efficacy.

6.  You may skip the section on Developmental Factors (pg 385-386).  You do not need to know the specifics of which axis I disorders the various personality disorders are often comorbid with (pg 386), although you do need to recognize which axis I disorders some personality disorders are similar to.  As always, you do not need to know the specific numbers in the section on epidemiology.  You also do not need to know the specifics of ethnic/racial differences in the personality disorders (pg 387), although I want you to know in general that these exist.

7.  You do not need to know the details in the section on Sociocultural theories (pg 392), but do know the general idea of how culture relates to personality.

Chpt. 12 - Developmental Disorders (Disorders of Childhood)
1.  Know a few ways in which childhood disorders may be classified (both DSM and others).

2.  Know major categories of disorders of childhood and adolescence, as well as other disorders that may be seen in these age groups.

3.  Externalizing disorders, or disruptive behavior disorders:  Know which disorders fall into this category.   Know key features of these disorders and be able to differentiate them from each other and from other disorders. Know very very generally etiological factors in ADHD, and in much more detail etiology of CD as described in your text and in class.  Know basics of treatments for each, and more specifics about treatments discussed in detail in class, as well as what the evidence shows about which treatments seem most effective.  Know the various issues discussed with regard to the disorders, their treatment, etc.

4.  Mental retardation:  know required criteria to meet MR diagnosis and how these are determined, and how the diagnosis is coded within the DSM.  Know in general what the levels of MR are, and how else MR may be categorized (needn’t know exact numbers or specifically what skills are seen per level, but do know basically what the levels are, and which is most common).  Know some etiological factors (note:  you do not need to know specifics of these factors, just the basics of what they are, and thus can skim through pages 403-407), and major methods that have been used to prevent, treat and/or manage MR. Know what mainstreaming is, and why it is important in the area of MR.

5.  Learning disabilities: know kinds of LDs, required criteria to meet LD diagnoses and how these are determined, and how the diagnoses are coded within the DSM.  Know strategies to prevent/treat/manage LDs, and major issues reviewed in class about this diagnosis.

6.  Autism:  know key features of the disorder, names of those most associated with the disorder, and how to differentiate from MR.  Know past and current etiological theories and support for these.  Know various treatment approaches as discussed in class and your text.  You do NOT need to know the other PDDs beyond knowing that autism is just one of the disorders included in this category.

7.  You do NOT need to know the section on Childhood Disorders of Eating, Sleeping, and Elimination (pg 426-431).

8.  Tourette’s:  know key features of the disorder, and how it differs from other tic disorders.  Know what kind of medication has been used to reduce symptoms of this disorder.

9.  Issues involved in childhood disorders as discussed in class and/or text (e.g., mainstreaming, treatment controversies such as that related to facilitated communication and aversive treatments, developmental considerations overall).

Chpt. 13 - Aging and Cognitive Disorders
1.  What is geropsychology?  What is ageism, and how does it relate to the field of abnormal psychology?

2.  You may skip the section on Successful Aging on page 437.

3.  Understand age effects, cohort effects, time-of-measurement effects, longitudinal and cross-sectional studies; be able to give examples of these, and recognize which of these a given example refers to.  Also, know ways in which these effects may play a role in psychological problems in older adults.

4.  Delirium:  know key features of delirium, how it’s distinguished from dementia (eg, symptom differences, reversibility, etc), what types of events may lead to its onset, and how it is generally treated.

5.  Dementia:  know key features of dementia, including specific terms related to symptoms (eg, agnosia, executive functioning).  Know that there are various types of dementias, and that Alzheimer's is one of them; also know how Alzheimer’s is conclusively determined.  You do NOT need to know the specific details of the non-Alzheimers forms of dementias, other than knowing that they exist.  Know ways in which people with dementia can be helped, and the impact some of these attempts to help may have both on the patient and the caregiver, as reviewed in class, in your text, and in the film Complaints of a Dutiful Daughter.   Need not know etiological factors in Alzheimers - I'd like you to skim pages 461-463 just to get a sense of things being looked at, and especially those that are considered protective factors, but you will not need to know any of these details for your exam. 

6.  Pseudodementia:   what is it?  How is it distinguished from dementia?  In what ways can it be treated? 

7.  Know ways in which aging may affect the reasons for or presentation of other disorders discussed in class (e.g., depression, anxiety, paranoia, substance abuse).    Note:  you do not need to know the material on "vascular depression" on pg 440.  You also do not need to know the information in the sections on etiology and treatment of depression/anxiety/psychosis/substance abuse.

8.  Know other issues related to assessment and treatment of older adults as discussed in class and/or your text.

Have fun, and Good luck!!

Please feel free to come see me, stop by after class, etc if there’s anything you don’t understand.

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This page was last updated on 04/01/12 .