Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents, 7.5 credits

Passed results from semester 1-3 of the Psychology programme consisting 90 credits and at least 15 credits from semester 4.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- account for and discuss current issues regarding the more commonly occurring externalizing behavior problems in children and adolescents
- account for different methods that are used to study externalizing behavior problems in children and adolescents.
- read, understand, and critically review scientific articles
- identify methodological limitations in scientific studies and discuss how these limitations can be addressed

The course includes a general introductory lecture. After that, the course contains a number of seminars (about 4-5) that focus on current issues in the area of externalizing behavior problems in children and adolescents (i.e. mainly hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, aggression, defiance, and antisocial behavior). Current themes can be for example development, interventions, gender differences, methodological problems, new diagnostic instruments, biology and genetics.

Please note that each seminar is an examination and active participation at all seminars (or a supplementary assignment) is therefore required in order o pass the course. At each seminar, 1-2 students prepare an oral presentation and other students are required to hand in a written assignment related to the specific theme being discussed at the seminar. In total, each student taking the course is required to make an oral presentation at one seminar and hand in a written seminar at two other seminars.

The course includes a lecture and a number of seminars (about 4-5). The initial lecture is optional, but all seminars are compulsory examinations.

The student is examined orally and in writing through the following:
1) Active participation in all seminars (including handing in discussion questions before the seminar) or passed supplementary assignment in case of absence from seminars (Pass/Fail).
2) Two written assignments (Pass with distinction/Pass/Fail).
3) Oral presentation, which cannot be replaced with a written assigement (Pass/Fail).

On the oral parts of the course (i.e. active participation in the seminars and individual oral presentation), only grade Fail (U) or Pass (G) is given. On the two written assignments, the student can receive the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG). For the grade Pass on the whole course, the grade Pass is required for all three examinations. For the grade Pass with distinction in the whole course, the grade Pass is required on the two oral parts (examination part 1 and 3), and Pass with distinction is required on both written assignments (examination part 2).

Students who do not pass a regular examination are entitled to re-sit the examination on five more occasions. If the student has carried out six failed tests, no additional tests will be offered. Each occasion the student participates in the same test counts as an examination. Submission of a blank exam paper is regarded as an examination occasion. Examination occasion for which the student has registered but not participated in, does not count as a examination occasion.

The course has been cancelled and was offered for the last time in the spring semester of 2021. Examination will be provided until May 1, 2025 for students who have not completed the course. 

Course evaluation takes place in accordance with KI's local guidelines. Results and possible actions are communicated to the students on the course web page.