Customer Reviews

Abnormal Child Psychology

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A first-rate resource that looks at child and adolescent psychopathology that looks at pathology from a developmental, clinical, diagnostic, and experimental perspective. Sections discuss abnormal child psychology, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, developmental and learning disorders, and problems related to physical and mental health.

This book is logically formatted, easy to understand, yet deep enough to take student and practitioner alike to the next level in their understanding of child and adolescent psychopathology.

I am currently using this book for a course on psychological disorders of childhood. If you want to save $100+ by purchasing the third edition vs. the fourth edition... go for it! Hardly any changes have been made between the two editions. It's an interesting read - boring at times, but overall, it keeps my attention. They're short chapters (30-40 pages each), but they're full of information.

I got the international version, because I wanted a soft cover (it's lighter and easier to carry through the marathon around champus). I'm rather happy with it, it appears to be pretty much identical to the U.S. version (which is much more expensive as well). Just the colors are a bit dull (not sure if the U.S. version is like that, too).

I don't recommend this book at all. They take one research study and make generalizations from it. There is little about the physiology of the mental illnesses, often blaming the mother's lack of care or environment. Boys feel pain less than girls, because of social stigmas, when in reality, testosterone is a known painkiller. Failure to Thrive is highly related to the child's home environment, when in actuality the child could have a metabolic disorder, a urinary tract infection, asthma, or other issues that have been shown to influence the infant's growth. The list is long of all of the ways they try to pin things on the parents, particularly the mother, without any mention of genetic and environment interactions. I was particularly disappointed in the negative coverage of children with ADHD and anxiety.

This book also conflicts with my other class teachings, so basically, I memorize what I have to know for the tests, then forget it. That's how great this book has been.

This is an undergraduate text -- extremely basic -- on Abnormal Child Psychology, but it does not provide much in terms of helpful information beyond explaining the basics of some childhood disorders. It may be a fine introduction for those beginning to learn about abnormal psych (although even then, I'd recommend something a bit more advanced, if the population is above Freshman level in College), but it certainly is not written for those studying childhood disorders at a clinical level. There are no "norm-references" or "developmental milestones" charts/tables/etc. There is very little substantial information beyond what one might get in a basic abnormal psychology text or a general psych text.

The upshot: if using for undergrads, use caution. If using for graduate-level courses, DON'T.

This transaction went very well. It was smooth and everything was accurate. Thank you so much!! The book itself is great as well.

I bought this for my child/pediatric psychology course.
It seems to have lots of info.
I also used this as a resource for a project where we had
to make a parent flyer for a disorder and it was extremely useful for that.
It discussed the diagnostic criteria, the implications and possible treatments quite well.

It's a well written book (except that they call kids "youngesters" in it constantly) and is pretty easy to understand and get through. The book's website it a great resource that has different study aid-printable term glossary, crossword puzzles, flash cards, etc- and sample quizzes. Don't buy the cram 101 book they will try to sell you with this-it only has the definitions in it and like I said you can print those for free from the books web page if you want.

Some advice: I have the third edition. It's a useful introductory text. It was published in August 2006, 24 months before the fourth. Way too soon for a new edition. Save your money and buy the third. You'll do fine.

Sender was very prompt and kind, offered to overnight book due to scheduling conflicts. only problem was that after dropping book once on floor, cover fell off. However, still works.