Abnormal Psychology

Rating:
Summary: For a required textbook..Pretty good
Review: Easy to read & understand. Full of information, and easy to navigate. I had to buy this for an abnormal psych class, and honestly am glad that it wasnt one of those dry boring texts!

Rating:
Summary: For a required textbook..Pretty good
Review: Easy to read & understand. Full of information, and easy to navigate. I had to buy this for an abnormal psych class, and honestly am glad that it wasnt one of those dry boring texts!

Rating:
Summary: A Better-Than-Average Textbook
Review: I wouldn't normally rate this textbook, but I was very surprised at one reviewer's very negative review of the text (see below me), and thought I should clarify a few points. First of all, I am not sure why any grad course would use this text, as it is clearly intended as an introductory text for undergraduates. (I used it for a 3rd year course). I can't imagine a grad student finding this text interesting (it's way too basic), but I think most 3rd year students-- even those with a good background in psychology-- would find this text interesting and informative. Secondly, I didn't find the layout of the text at all "schizophrenic" (whatever he/she means by that...). Each chapter begins with an overview of the disorders to be studied,followed by 1. information on specific disorders 2. information on the putative etiologies for these disorders, and 3. information on treatment strategies for these disorders. As a result, the "psychodynamic" explanations behind depression might be discussed at one point (along with biological explanations, etc.), and later in the same chapter psychodynamic treatments for depression will be discussed (along with biological treatments, etc.). I didn't find this confusing, and I certainly didn't find it needlessly repetitious. One thing that I especially liked is the way in which the authors incorporate case studies into the chapters, the detailed references to important and influential psychological studies, and the up-to-date studies that are cited. Unlike many abnormal psych books I've looked at, this one really focuses on research, and the result is that it is much easier to understand what the true issues are. I also found the book refreshingly free from the condescension that is often prominent in undergrad textbooks. The one "caveat", if any, is that is is very clear that the authors of the text adhere to a CBT paradigm of psychological illness, so it is wise to be aware of this bias beforehand. (Although I think they generally avoid being particularly biased in their discussions...).

Rating:
Summary: A poorly edited and schizophrenic organization style
Review: The ONLY reason you should ever buy this book is if it's a required text book.