Psychology 2030B 001 FW25
The Maladjusted Mind
Western University
London Canada
Department of Psychology
Winter 2025
Psychology 2030B Section001
The Maladjusted Mind
1 Calendar Description
This course will survey various categories of maladjusted behavior and consider different explanatory models and treatment strategies for the control of such behavior. Theories of human adjustment and maladjustment will be reviewed.
Antirequisites: Psychology 2050, 2310A/B, and 3310F/G
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So if you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.
Prerequisites: Not applicable
3 lecture hours; Course Weight: 0.5
2 Course Information
Instructor: Ian R. Nicholson
Office Hours: By appointment through Zoom
Email: inichols@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant: TBD
Office: TBD
Office Hours: TBD
Email: TBD
Time and Location of Classes: see Student Centre for Timetable
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 of textbook: 78$-100$
Cengage also offers an online learning support tool, MindTap. It is bundled with the textbook for students to use for support of their 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. MindTap is only available when the textbook is 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 tests/final exam) are based in the material in this edition of this textbook by these authors. I don't know if these other versions will prepare you for the midterm tests and final exam. My guess is that some of the material is the same and some is unique. I can't tell what part of the midterm tests and final exam, however, is unique to this specific version of this text compared to some other text or earlier version.
Sorry I can't be more help with these questions. 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
The purpose of the course is to provide students with an overview of the major forms of psychopathology and their treatment. The course will begin with addressing some of the fundamental aspects of the foundations of any study of abnormal psychology including understanding the profession of psychology, research, psychological assessment, and diagnosis. It will then move into discussions of several different types of psychological disorders, including several related to physical functioning. We then conclude with a discussion of psychopathology across the lifespan. All issues will be presented from both a theoretical and a practical perspective.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES |
ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT LEARNING OUTCOMES |
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES |
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Depth and Breadth of Knowledge
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Knowledge of Methodologies
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Application of Knowledge
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Awareness of Limits of Knowledge
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5 Evaluation
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
First Midterm Test (35% of final grade) – 4 February 2026 (in class)
Content of test: The first 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, and 6 (pages 172-183 ONLY) as well as the lectures (including videos) from 7 January 2026 through 28 January 2026 (inclusive). There will be approximately an equal number of questions from each week of the course. The test will be 120 minutes long.
Unable to write the first 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 and Academic Consideration” for information on seeking accommodations. The make-up test will be on Saturday 7 February 2026 at 9am (location to be determined).
Students may NOT use self-attestation for the first midterm test or the make-up test.
Second Midterm Test (35% of final grade) – 18 March 2026 (in class)
Content of test: The first midterm test will consist of a maximum of one hundred (100) multiple choice questions and will reflect material from textbook chapters 7 (pages 201-213 ONLY), 8, 9, 12, and 14, as well as the lectures (including videos) from 11 February 2026 through 11 March 2026 (inclusive). There will be approximately an equal number of questions from each week of the course. The test will be 120 minutes long.
Unable to write a midterm test: If you are unable to take a test as scheduled, you may obtain permission from your academic dean via your Academic Counsellor order to make up the test. See “Section 10 Policy on Accommodation for Illness or Other Absences” for information on seeking accommodations. Students also may use self-attestation for the second midterm test. The make-up test will be on Saturday 21 March 2026 at 9am (location to be determined). Students may NOT use self-attestation for the make-up test.
Final Exam (30% of final grade) – date/time to be determined by Registrar
Content of test: The final exam will consist of a maximum of seventy-five (75) multiple choice questions and will reflect material from textbook chapters 13, 15, and 16 as well as the lectures (including videos) from 25 March 2026 through 8 April 2026 (inclusive). There will be approximately an equal number of questions from each week of the course. The exam will be 90 minutes long.
As a reminder, do not make plans for travel during the final exam period (12 April 2026 until 30 April 2026) 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 first midterm test or the make-up test.
For more information on the midterm tests, final exam, and practice tests, students should read the
“Section 13 - FAQ on Midterm Tests, Final Exam, and Practice Tests” at the end of the syllabus.
Policy on Missing Coursework
Unable to write or missed the first 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 and Academic Consideration” for information on seeking accommodations. Students may NOT use self-attestation for the first midterm test or the make-up test. The make-up test will be on Saturday 7 February 2026.
Unable to write or missed the second midterm test:
If you are unable to take a test as scheduled, you may obtain permission from your academic dean via your Academic Counsellor order to make up the test. See “Section 10 - Policy on Accommodation for Illness or Other Absences” for information on seeking accommodations. Students also may use self-attestation for the second midterm test. The make-up test will be on Saturday 21 March 2026 at 9am (location to be determined). Students may NOT use self-attestation for the make-up test.
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 make-up exam.
Please note: Western’s policy is 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 make-up test has been received from your Academic Counsellor, a student will be added to the list of those who will be provided (after the first midterm test has been written) for a make-up test.
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”. In this course, the first midterm test is a designated assessment.
Flexibility in assessment may take the form of:
- flexible completion e.g., counting the 8 highest marks out of 10 quizzes toward the course grade; and
- submission deadline followed by a short "no-late-penalty" period, during which a mark 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
First Midterm Test (4 February 2026): 35% of final grade
Second Midterm Test (18 March 2026): 35% of final grade
Final Exam (date to be determined): 30% of final grade
7 Class Schedule
Week 1 – What is a Psychologist? - 7 January 2026
Chapter 1 - "Abnormal Psychology in Historical Context"
Week 2 – Research in Psychopathology - 14 January 2026
Chapter 4 - "Research Methods"
Week 3 – Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis - 21 January 2026
Chapter 3 - "Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis"
Week 4 – Anxiety and Related Disorders – 28 January 2026
Chapter 5 – “Anxiety”
Chapter 6 – “Preoccupation and Obsession”
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders section (pages 172-183) ONLY
Week 5 – First Midterm Test (40%) - 4 February 2026
Week 6 - Affective Disorders – 11 February 2026
Chapter 8 – “Mood”
Reading Week - 18 February 2026
Week 7 – Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders - 25 February 2026
Chapter 7 – “Trauma and Dissociation”
Dissociative Disorders section (pages 198-208) ONLY
Chapter 14 – “Psychosis”
Week 8 – Disorders of Control - 4 March 2026
Chapter 12 – “Substance Use and Impulse Control”
Week 9 – Disrupted Daily Living - 11 March 2026
Chapter 9 – “Eating”
Week 10 – Second Midterm Test (40%) – 18 March 2026
Week 11 – Personality Disorders - 25 March 2026
Chapter 13 – “Personality”
Week 12 – Disorders and the Age Spectrum – Childhood – 1 April 2026
Chapter 15 – “Neurodevelopment”
Week 13 – Disorders and the Age Spectrum – Old Age – 8 April 2026
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.
Statement on Use of Electronic Devices
Electronic devices may not be used during midterm tests or the final exams.
Multiple Choice Exams
Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or 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, videos 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 Tests, 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 tests, 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 tests and final exam. They are written to be in the style and level of detail necessary for the tests 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 on Brightspace until the weekend before the actual test.
Q: Do I need to know names (or dates, numbers, material in the boxes, etc.) for the midterm tests and final exam?
A: Every year, I am asked some variant of this question about the midterm tests and final exam. My response is that I don't answer these questions. Unfortunately, over the many years I have taught this course 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 in the multiple-choice question 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 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: Do I just need to know the slides for the midterm tests or final exam?
A: The slides that are posted are there to support your learning. They are a combination of the slides from the lectures as well as slides supplied by the textbook publisher. They are an extra tool for you to use in organizing the information and support your learning the material in the textbook. You should NOT consider them to be sufficient for studying. The test questions are based on the material in the textbook and lectures, not the slides.
Q: Some of the chapters are not in the syllabus (e.g., Chapter 17). Am I responsible for them?
A: They are not on either of the midterm tests or on the final exam. Due to the length of the course, we can't cover everything from the textbook. When I first started teaching this course, I tried to work in all the chapters in the textbook, but it became more disjointed and difficult for students. I have narrowed the course down over the years and, this term, several chapters are not included. However, if you enjoy the material in the course, you are free to read the material in the other chapters that you might find interesting.
Q: The practice questions seem easier than the real questions on the midterm tests and exam. There were questions on the midterm tests/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 of 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 tests and the final examination.
Q: Where can I access the videos shown in class so I can study them for the midterm tests and final exam.
A: The videos are not posted online. The questions asked for the midterm tests and final exam will be at the level that one would be expected to answer having watched the videos in class and taken notes in class, similar to other lecture material. If they were provided for students to study outside of class, then the questions would be more detailed and expect a greater level of knowledge than the questions that are used in this course.
