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 begins with 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 (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 to 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 examinations, see heading "Content" and "Examination".

The course is examined in the following way:
a) active participation in all seminars (including handing in discussion questions before the seminar) or passed supplementary assignments in case of absence from seminars, is graded U or G
b) two written assignments, is graded U or G
c) an oral presentation, which cannot be replaced with a written assigement, is graded U or G

The entire course is graded U or G. The grade G on the entire course requires G on all examinations assignments as of above.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus' regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

The course has been cancelled and was offered for the last time in the spring semester of 2023. 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.