Customer Reviews

Abnormal Psychology, Fourth Edition

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This text provides interesting descriptions of mental disorders. However, it often gives only a fleeting consideration of etiological factors, focusing instead on the regurgitation of the DSM criteria of such disorders. In other words, the text is oriented towards diagnostic criteria rather than theory and etiology. The authors attempt to justify this approach by repeatedly claiming that "little is known about the causes many of the disorders categorized by the DSM". Epistemological limitations aside, however, it seems that the authors would have done well to spend more time addressing hypotheses and theories of etiology, rather than repeatedly elaborating upon the self-explanatory DSM criteria.

This undergraduate psychology book is a valuable reference tool for a university student or anyone interested in learning more about this most intriguing field. Abnormal Psychology is a well-written university level text that affords the reader easy to understand expositional overviews of some pretty complicated theoretical constructs.

The book covers personality disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, sexual identity disorders, Schizophrenic disorders, Dementia, Delirium, and Amnestic Disorders which are conditions that cause memory loss.

Abnormal Psychology also covers Mental Retardation, Pervasive Developmental disorders, Psychological disorders of childhood, adjustment disorders, and life cycle transitions.

In their book, Authors Thomas F Oltmanns & Robert E. Emery provides easy to read examples and definitions of abnormal behavior, discuss the etiology or causes of abnormal behavior and the treatment of psychological disorders. Very important is their coverage of Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Acute and Posttraumatic stress disorders, Dissociative, Somatoform Disorders, and Suicide, This book will add value to any student or family reference library.