Product Description

Balancing biological, psychological, social and cultural approaches, ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY successfully blends sophisticated research (including new prevention coverage) with the most widely recognized method of discussing psychopathology. Going beyond simply describing different schools of thought on psychological disorders, the authors explore the interactions of the various forces that contribute to psychopathology. A conversational writing style, consistent pedagogical elements, integrated case studies (95 percent from authors' own files), video clips of clients (on the free accompanying Abnormal Psychology Live CD-ROM), and additional study tools make this text the most complete learning resource available.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #169951 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 704 pages

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)."

About the Author
David H. Barlow is an internationally recognized expert and leader in clinical psychology, having pioneered many treatments and investigations in anxiety and mood disorders. Currently Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Boston University, Dr. Barlow is also founder and Director Emeritus of the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, one of the largest research clinics of its kind in the world. Previously, he was distinguished professor at State University of New York at Albany. From 1975 to 1979, he was professor of psychiatry and psychology at Brown University, where he also founded the clinical psychology internship program. From 1969 to 1975, he was professor of psychiatry at the University of Mississippi, where he founded the Medical School psychology residency program. Dr. Barlow received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, his M.A. from Boston College, and his Ph.D. from the University of Vermont. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award from the American Psychological Association and is a fellow of the American Psychological Society.

. Mark Durand is known worldwide as an authority in the area of autism and developmental disabilities. His treatment for severely disturbed children has been translated into eleven languages worldwide, and his screening device for autism is used by all of the physicians in New York State. Dr. Durand is the Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, where he has won the Excellence in Teaching Award. Durand is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, and has administered more than $4 million in federal research and training grants in the areas of functional communication, assistive technology, home-school training, and improving the problem behaviors of children and adults with autism and other severe disabilities. He started his career at the University at Albany, SUNY, where he served as associate director for clinical training for the doctoral psychology program from 1987 to 1990, chair of the psychology department from 1995 to 1998, and interim dean of Arts and Sciences from 2001 to 2002. He is also founder of the Albany Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.—all in psychology—at the State University of New York, Stony Brook.

Customer Reviews

Great Introductory book
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.

DSM-IV explained (maybe).
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.

Comprehensive and applicable
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.