Psychological Trauma and Dissociation Perspectives on Psychopathology

Psychological trauma (or traumatic stress) and dissociation are concepts of increasing importance in our complex and violent world. In this seminar, we will discuss various ways in which the concepts of psychological trauma and dissociation have been used and understood in the past and currently, and the implications of these concepts for understanding both normal and abnormal behavior.

Starting with an historical overview of the relevance of trauma and dissociation to an understanding of psychology and psychopathology, we will look at a few mental disorders linked to these concepts. From a discussion of the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), first introduced 30 years ago, we will move to the proposed diagnosis of Complex PTSD and its relation to borderline personality disorder, and then to dissociative disorders, including dissociative identity disorder.

More speculatively, we will consider the ways in which trauma and dissociation can help us to understand normal personality development, as well as violent behavior. Finally, the possible relevance of trauma and dissociation to an understanding of art forms, as well as societal conflicts, will be explored. Course offered by Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences.

Period
02-07-2012 - 27-07-2012 (4 weeks)

Target group
BA

Course aim
Please see website for further information.

Credits
10.0 ECTS credits

Course fee
EUR 1: Please see website for further information: http://www.au.dk/en/summeruniversity/application/tuitionfeeandparticipationfee/

Course leader
Andrew Moskowitz, Aarhus University

Aarhus University International Centre
Address: Hoeg Guldbergs Gade 4, building 1650 Aarhus C
Postal code: 8000
City: Aarhus
Country: Denmark
Website: http://www.au.dk/summeruniversity
E-mail: SummerUniversity@adm.au.dk
Phone: +45 8942 2320