SPDA004 Psychology of Disability

Faculty of Education
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Karel Pančocha, Ph.D., M.Sc. (lecturer)
prof. PhDr. Evžen Řehulka, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Karel Pančocha, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Institute for Research in Inclusive Education – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: PhDr. Lenka Gajzlerová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Institute for Research in Inclusive Education – Faculty of Education
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course provides students with knowledge about the psychological issues associated with illness and disability and in the psychology of disability. The course is using approaches from a number of theoretical and practical disciplines, especially medicine (psychiatry, neurology and other medical fields) and focuses on special education and psychology with the emphasis on supporting people with disabilities in their daily life.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student will be able to:
• Explain basic concepts of psychology of disability, pathopsychology, psychopathology focused on special education and the need of professionals in helping professions
• Know basic categories related to challenging and stressful life situations
• Know relations between physical and mental disorders and qualitative abnormalities related to cognition and personality
Syllabus
  • 1. Definition of the subject matter. Psychology of disability, pathopsychology and psychopathology
    2. Norm, normality and abnormality. Models of abnormal behavior.
    3. Health and illness.
    4. Etiology and pathogenesis of mental disorders.
    5. Challenging life situations. Deprivation, frustration, conflict, trauma, crisis, and stress.
    6. Coping with challenging and stressful situations. Coping strategies.
    7. Mental health and personal lifestyle. Prevention and resilience.
    8. Quality of life.
    9. Description and classification of disorders of mental functions focusing on consciousness, attention, perception, cognition and intelligence, emotions and motivation, volition, instincts and personality. Emphasis is placed on psychological, educational and social perspectives.
Literature
    required literature
  • WEIS, Robert. Introduction to abnormal child and adolescent psychology. 3 edition. Los Angeles: Sage, 2018, xxviii, 65. ISBN 9781506339764. info
  • Oxford textbook of psychopathology. Edited by Theodore Millon - Paul H. Blaney - Roger Dale Davis. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999, xii, 732. ISBN 0195103076. info
Teaching methods
Theoretical presentations.
Assessment methods
Written exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Autumn 2021, Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2023, Spring 2024, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2025/SPDA004