Psychology 2310A 001 FW25
Psychopathology
Western University
London Canada
Department of Psychology
Fall 2025
Psychology 2310A - Section 001
Psychopathology
1 Calendar Description
This theory course is designed to introduce the wide-ranging theories of psychopathology in adults. Topics will include the major DSM diagnostic categories, as well as research and treatment. The course orientation is empirical, with an emphasis on recent research findings with this population.
Antirequisites: Psychology 2030A/B, Psychology 3310F/G, Psychology 3311
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. If you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, rgardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.
Prerequisites: A grade of at least 60% in 1.0 credits of Psychology at the 1000 level.
2 lecture hours; 1 tutorial hour; Course Weight: 0.5
Unless you have either the prerequisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enrol in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.
2 Course Information
Instructor: Ian R. Nicholson
Phone: 519 476-7031
Office Hours: By appointment through Zoom
Email: inichols@uwo.ca
Time and Location of Lectures: see Student Centre for Timetable
|
Teaching Assistants |
TBD1 |
TBD2 |
TBD3 |
|
Tutorial Sections (Location) |
002 & 003 See Timetable |
004 & 005 See Timetable |
006 & 007 See Timetable |
|
Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Students must have a reliable internet connection and computer that are compatible with online learning system requirements.
3 Course Materials
Title: Psychopathology: An Integrative Approach to Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Psychological Disorders (Seventh Canadian Edition)
Authors: Barlow, D. H., Durand, V. M., Hofmann, S. G., & Lalumière, M. L.
Year: 2024
Cost: 78$-100$
Cengage also offers an online learning support tool, MindTap, bundled with the textbook for use to support learning the course material. It is not required for the course and you can purchase the textbook, either as a physical book or as an e-book from the bookstore but MindTap is only available when t purchased as an e-book.
Every year I am asked by students such questions as "I have a copy of a book by the same name but with different authors, is that good enough?”, “I have a copy of an earlier edition, is that good enough?”, or “I have a copy of the American version of the text, is that good enough?”.
To be honest, I don't know if it is "good enough". I am not familiar with these texts. I can tell you that the course (and the midterm test/final exam) are based in the material in this edition of this textbook by these authors. I don't know if other versions will prepare you for the midterm test and final exam. My guess is that some material is the same and some is unique. I can't tell what part of the midterm test and final exam, however, is unique to this specific version of this text compared to another text or earlier version. Sorry I can't be more help. I know texts are expensive so please be careful if buying a used textbook.
Relying on the wrong textbook is not considered grounds for accommodation for a midterm test or final examination.
4 Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
|
Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
|
Depth and Breadth of Knowledge
|
Lectures, tutorials, required textbook readings |
Midterm test, Final exam, Class discussions |
|
Knowledge of Methodologies
|
Lectures, tutorials, required textbook readings |
Midterm test, Final exam, Class discussions |
|
Application of Knowledge
|
Lectures, tutorials, required textbook readings |
Midterm test, Final exam, Class discussions |
|
Awareness of Limits of Knowledge
|
Lectures, tutorials, required textbook readings |
Lectures, tutorials, required textbook readings |
5 Evaluation
Midterm Test (35% of final grade) – 22 October 2025 (in class)
Content of midterm test: The midterm test will consist of a maximum of one hundred (100) multiple choice questions and will reflect material from textbook chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 (pages 198-208), 8, and 14 as well as the lectures (including videos) from 10 September 2025 through 15 October 2025. There will be approximately an equal number of questions from each week of the course. The test will be 100 minutes long.
Unable to write a midterm test: If you are unable to take a test as scheduled, you must obtain permission from your academic dean via your Academic Counsellor order to make up the test. See “Section 10 Absence & Academic Consideration” for information on seeking accommodations.
Students may NOT use self-attestation for the midterm test or the makeup test.
Please note: It is the policy at Western that instructors are not permitted to receive documentation directly from a student, whether in support of an application for medical grounds, or for other reasons. All documentation required for absences must be submitted to the Academic Counselling Office of a student’s home faculty. Once the verification of your eligibility for a makeup test has been received from your Academic Counsellor, a student will be added to the list of those who will be provided (after the midterm test has been written) for a make-up test.
Final Exam (35% of final grade) – date/time to be determined by Registrar
Content of final exam: The final exam will consist of a maximum of one hundred (100) multiple choice questions and will reflect material from textbook chapters 9, 12, 13, 15, and 16 as well as the lectures (including videos) from 29 October 2025 through 3 December 2025. There will be approximately an equal number of questions from each week of the course. The test will be 120 minutes long.
Do not make plans for travel during the final exam period (11 December 2025 until 22 December 2025) until you know when your final exams will be.
Exam conflicts: If you have a conflict, please contact your Academic Counsellor at your Home Faculty. Only then can arrangements be made for you to write your examination. The date for the make-up examination will be set after the Registrar sets the date for the final examination for this course.
Unable to write or missed a final exam: If you cannot write an examination in the regular period, you may request from the Dean’s Office of your Academic Faculty the privilege of writing a special examination at a later date. This privilege is based on compassionate, medical, or religious grounds with the appropriate supporting documents.
Students may NOT use self-attestation for the final exam or the makeup exam.
For more information on the Midterm Test, Final Exam, and Practice Tests, students should read the “Section 13: FAQ on Midterm Test, Final Exam, and Practice Tests” at the end of the syllabus.
Tutorial Attendance (10% of final grade)
Student attendance at, and participation in, course tutorials will constitute % of the final grade. The grade will reflect attendance at the tutorials, their thoughtful contributions to the discussion, and the extent to which they pay respectful attention to the Teaching Assistant and the group discussion. Each student’s contributions should show critical thinking and that they have read, and thought about, the assigned readings for both the lecture and tutorial that week. To reduce the need to seek requests for academic considerations for missed coursework, the lowest tutorial grade will automatically be dropped (i.e., only 8 of 9 tutorial grades will be included in the calculation of the final grade).
In-Class Quizzes (20% of final grade)
There will be online quizzes held in the last 10 minutes of each lecture for 10 lectures (not for the first lecture). The quiz will consist of a question related to that day’s lecture and must be answered before students leave the class (students are expected to have a laptop or device with Brightspace access during class). The lowest 2 quiz scores will be dropped as a built-in accommodation for missed lectures. Therefore, there will be absolutely NO accommodations for missed in-class quizzes.
Please Note: Slides will be posted for each lecture within 24 hours after the lecture. I am not able to provide supplemental notes for classes you are unable to attend. I strongly recommend that you get the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least 3 people in this course. That way, if you should miss a class, you would have several people to contact from whom you might be able get notes, etc.. I suggest that, if you do miss class, you get the notes, go over those notes and the corresponding material in the text, and then email me if you have any further questions.
The evaluation and testing formats for this course were created to assess the learning objectives as listed in “Section 4: Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes” and are necessary for meeting these learning objectives.
Policy on Missing Coursework
Midterm Test: Once the verification of eligibility for makeup test has been received from your Academic Counsellor, a student will be added to the list of those who will be provided a make-up test (after the midterm test has been written).
Final Exam: Once the verification of your eligibility for a makeup exam has been received from your Academic Counsellor, a student will be added to the list of those who will be provided a make-up exam (after the final exam has been written).
Tutorial Attendance: The lowest tutorial grade will automatically be dropped (i.e., only 8 of 9 tutorial grades will be included in the calculation of the final grade). Therefore, there will be absolutely NO accommodations for not attending a tutorial.
In-Class Quizzes: The lowest 2 in-class quiz scores will be dropped as a built-in accommodation for missed lectures. Therefore, there will be absolutely NO accommodations for missed in-class quizzes.
As per policy, instructors may designate one assessment per half-course weight as requiring formal supporting documentation in their course outline. In other words, students cannot use an undocumented absence for this “designated assessment”.
Flexibility in assessment may take the form of:
- flexible completion e.g., counting the 8 highest grades out of 10 quizzes toward the course grade; and
- submission deadline followed by a short "no-late-penalty" period, during which a grade deduction will not be applied to late submissions.
When flexibility in assessment is incorporated, a request for consideration may be denied, or may not be necessary at all.
The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf
The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level to 2099-level courses
72% 2100-2999-level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
In the event that course grades are significantly higher or lower than these averages, instructors may be required to make adjustments to course grades. Such adjustment might include the normalization of one or more course components and/or the re-weighting of various course components.
Policy on Grade Rounding
Please note that although course grades within the Psychology Department are rounded to the nearest whole number, no further grade rounding will be done. No additional assignments will be offered to enhance a final grade; nor will requests to change a grade because it is needed for a future program be considered.
6 Assessment/Evaluation Schedule
Midterm Test (22 October 2025): 35% of final grade
Final Exam (date to be determined): 35% of final grade
Tutorial Attendance (weekly): 10% of final grade
In-class quizzes (weekly): 20% of final grade
7 Class Schedule
Week 1 – What is a Psychologist? – NO tutorial or in-class quiz this week
10 September 2025
Chapter 1 - "Abnormal Psychology in Historical Context"
Week 2 – Research in Psychopathology
17 September 2025
Chapter 4 - "Research Methods"
Week 3 – Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
24 September 2025
Chapter 3 - "Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis"
Week 4 – Affective Disorders
1 October 2025
Chapter 8 – “Mood”
Week 5 - Anxiety and Related Disorders
8 October 2025
Chapter 5 - "Anxiety"
Week 6 – Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders
15 October 2025
Chapter 7 – “Trauma and Dissociation”
Dissociative Disorders section (pages 198-208) ONLY
Chapter 14 – “Psychosis”
Week 7 – Midterm Test – NO lecture, tutorial, or in-class quiz this week
22 October 2025
Week 8 – Disorders of Control
29 October 2025
Chapter 12 – “Substance Use and Impulse Control”
Reading Week – NO lecture, tutorial, or in-class quiz this week
Week 9 – Disrupted Daily Living
12 November 2025
Chapter 9 – “Eating”
Week 10 – Personality Disorders
19 November 2025
Chapter 13 – “Personality”
Week 11 – Disorders and the Age Spectrum – Childhood
26 November 2025
Chapter 15 – “Neurodevelopment”
Week 12 – Disorders and the Age Spectrum – Old Age – NO tutorial this week
3 December 2025
Chapter 16 – “Aging and Neurocognition”
8 Academic Integrity
Scholastic offences are taken seriously, and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf.
Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
NOTE: Include the sections below only if they apply to your course
Statement on Use of Electronic Devices
No electronic devices will be allowed during the midterm test or the final exam.
Multiple Choice Exams
Computer-graded multiple-choice tests and exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
9 Academic Accommodations and Accessible Education
View Western’s policy on academic accommodations for student with disabilities at this link.
Accessible Education provides supports and services to students with disabilities at Western.
If you think you may qualify for ongoing accommodation that will be recognized in all your courses, visit Accessible Education for more information. Email: aew@uwo.ca Phone: 519 661-2147
10 Absence & Academic Consideration
Academic Considerations: https://registrar.uwo.ca/academics/academic_considerations/index.html
11 Other Information
- Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.uwo.ca
- Student Development Services: www.sdc.uwo.ca
- Psychology Undergraduate Program: https://www.psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/index.html
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Health and Wellness@Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you.
If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf. Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal in writing to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).
Copyright Statement
Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, video,s and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.
12 Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton. Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society.
13 FAQ on Midterm Test, Final Exam, and Practice Tests
This section of the syllabus is based on frequently asked questions I have gotten over the years about the midterm test, final exam, and the practice tests.
Q: I don't see anything on the syllabus about the practice tests. How do they affect my grade?
A: The online practice tests are, just as their names suggest, for practice only. You do not need to do them. They are simply there to help you prepare for the midterm test and final exam. They are written to be in the style and level of detail necessary for the midterm test and final exam.
Many people do these practice tests, but many don't, and that's OK. However, an analysis we have done on student grades has demonstrated that students who do them, on average, have higher grades on the tests.
Q: I am looking for the practice tests but don’t see them posted.
A: To try and make certain that the questions match the level of detail of the actual tests, we develop the practice tests after developing the actual tests. So, they are often not available until the week before the actual test.
Q: The practice questions seem easier than the real questions on the midterm test and exam. There were questions on the midterm test/final exam that were not reflected in the practice content. Is that fair?
A: Believe it or not, this is common across almost all tests and exams. Even when practice questions are based on unused test questions (so are expected to the same as the actual questions) or if they are old questions from earlier tests, they will often *appear* easier.
There is something about taking the practice questions that is less pressure and, apparently, causes the questions to appear easier. Also, while the practice questions were chosen to give students an idea of the depth of knowledge required, they can’t cover all the content the questions on the midterm tests and final exam will cover (if that were the case, we would just be assessing your ability to memorize practice questions). I promise, the practice questions are chosen to be similar in breadth and depth of textbook knowledge required as the actual midterm test and the final examination.
Q: Do I need to know names (or dates, numbers, material in the boxes, etc.) for the midterm test and final exam?
A: Every year, I am asked some variant of this question about the midterm test and final exam. My response is that I don't answer these questions. Unfortunately, over the many years I have taught similar courses I have tried to answer such questions and routinely have run into problems. I have tried in different ways and, with each way, I find myself causing problems for myself and, more importantly, for the students.
I think the better question, that really underlies a lot of these questions, is "What level of detail do I need to know to best study for the midterm tests or final exam?".
The best way I have found to answer this question is not to answer directly but, instead, direct people to the practice tests. The questions on those practice tests are similar in the level of detail that you are expected to answer.
Interestingly, when writing questions about a test, the question can look as if you “need to know” something that is simply put in the question that helps the test-taker recall the material but is not “needed” to know.
There is a related, interesting issue when writing questions. For those who write test questions, it is referred to as “teaching in the stem”. If you give more information in the stem, some students will benefit from the added direction that the additional information provides. Other students, however, will be slowed because they must read more that they don’t need to answer the question.
For example, I could write a question as:
“Nicholson and Nicholson’s (2015) research on twin pairs with dyslexia has shown that genetic factors make up:”
or I could ask:
“Research on twin pairs with dyslexia has shown that genetic factors make up:”
or I could ask:
“Genetic factors for dyslexia make up:”
All three of these examples are looking for the very same information. Each question would have the same 4 options and the same correct answer. However, the way each version of the question is worded varies in the amount of additional context that is provided and may make the question easier to answer (although they make it longer to read). In this instance, you don’t need to know Nicholson and Nicholson’s 2015 research study, you only need to know the approximate amount that dyslexia is determined by genetic factors. But, if you do know the Nicholson and Nicholson (2015) study, the question might be easier for you.
Sorry I can't be more direct in my responses. I realize that it is likely disappointing to those wanting more specific direction.
Q: I don’t see some of the textbook chapters (e.g., chapter 17) on the listing for the midterm test or the final exam. Where are they?
A: They are not on either of the test or on the final exam. Due to the length of the course, we can't cover everything from the textbook. I once tried to work in all the chapters in the textbook, but it became more disjointed and difficult for students. I have narrowed required material over the years and, this term, those chapters are not included. However, if you find the material in the course interesting, I would strongly suggest reading these other chapters as well.
