Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach (Hardcover)

~ (Author), V. Mark Durand (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The books’ organization reflects and helpful, cumulative approach to learning. The disorders proceed from the most common and easily understood (anxiety disorder) to the more complex (schizophrenia and Axis II disorders). In addition, the book introduces early and in simple terms, concepts that are often difficult for students, then elaborates on those concepts with increasing greater detail and complexity as the book progresses. Its treatment of physiological contributes to psychopathology is particularly illustrative of this approach."

"Not only are the logical, sequential organization of the book and its balanced content pedagogically beneficial, but is compassionate approach also appeals to the empathy and interest of readers from its opening paragraph:

Today you may have gotten out of bed, had breakfast, gone to class, studied, and at the end of the day, enjoyed the company of your friends before dropping off to sleep. It probably did not occur to you that there are many physically healthy people who are note able to do some or any of these things. What they have in common is a psychological disorder (p. 2).

By inviting students to imagine the experience of living with a psychological disorder, the authors engage them not only intellectually but also experimentally in their research to understand psychopathology. The opening blood-injury-injection phobia case immediately invites students to think systematically about the boundaries between psychopathology and mental health, and to consider the disorder multi-dimensionally, including the separate and interactive roles of biological, behavioral, social, emotional, and cognitive influences."

"Barlow and Durand instead use case study material effectively, selecting cases more typical than glamorous and emphasizing the heterogeneity of disorders though multiple examples."



"Of course, written descriptions do not convey the full range of psychopathological phenomena and the CD-ROM companion the textbook allows students to view clinical interviews of people with a range of disorders. The portrayals of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression are quite helpful in illustrating their symptoms."

"Among undergraduates, spontaneous praise for textbooks is somewhat unusual, but in classes where I have used and earlier edition of this textbook, students have often voiced unsolicited appreciation. This textbook’s ability to motivate students has been evident. Many students used superlatives to describe it, with the most frequent comments identifying it as the ’most readable’ or ’most fascinating’ textbook of their college careers."



"It presents and excellent overview of research, clinical descriptions that accurately portray how disorders affects individuals and an empathetic approach to the suffering experienced by affected individuals, their families, and friends, and other close associates. Barlow and Duran’s work serves as a textbook for all reasons of undergraduate enrollment in abnormal psychology. It combines the best current scientific research with clear clinical descriptions, and its compassionate approach affirms the author’s own words that people a re larger than their disorders."

"I found this text to be bold, definitive, and a necessary resource for students and practitioners of psychology."

"Barlow and Durand’s book is quite superior to my current text in that it is more comprehensive, visually appealing, and presents the material in multiple ways, making it easier for students with different learning styles to rehearse the material in the ways that make most sense to them (e.g. visual vs. narrative)." --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Description

This book offers professors and students a more authentic, personal and scientific picture of what psychological disorders are and how they can be assessed and managed. Barlow and Durand demonstrate that disorders are multiply determined by biological, psychological, social, cultural, familial and political forces. The authors challenge readers to think about how and why people become troubled and what is done to help them. Throughout the book, Barlow and Durand integrate concepts with case examples and citations from the literature to demonstrate the connection between research and practice.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 812 pages
• Publisher: Thomson Brooks/Cole (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534203582
• ISBN-13: 978-0534203580
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #829,342 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introductory book, February 6, 2000

By	Bill Angus (Point Roberts, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach (Hardcover)

Very thorough treatment of the subject from well rounded, expert authors. Text assumes no previous knowledge, and is quite lengthy because of its comprehensive nature. I have used it many times as a reference text after taking a course in which it was required.

Also this text is an example of a beautiful job of "book making". The text has many color plates -- and a high quality printing job.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DSM-IV explained (maybe)., February 18, 2000

By	Marcel Harper (South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach (Hardcover)

Using DSM-IV criteria throughout, the authors manage to provide a succinct analysis of psychopathology, as seen from a transtheoretical perspective.

The research alone quoted throughout makes this book a valuable resource, but combined with an engaging writing style and top-notch structure, it promises to secure Barlow and Durand's position as authors-to-beat when it comes to the field of Abnormal Psychology.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and applicable, July 13, 2006

By	Miran Spelic "Eirenaios" (Ljubljana, Slovenia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Cengage Advantage Books: Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac®) (Loose Leaf)

The book treats many cases and reaches high level of coverage; it is very helpful, that in practice one can find many similarities, since the cases are very realistic and explained in depth. My opinion is, that it is valuable because it is applicable.