Fundamentals of Psychological Disorders
Reviewed by Angela Mar, Lecturer, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 11/13/20
Comprehensiveness
The textbook does an adequate job of covering the essential topics of the field, and additionally provides a glossary and index that would help a reader find key concepts quickly and efficiently.
Content Accuracy
To the extent of this review, the text is accurate and error-free. The textbook states facts, so bias should not be an issue.
Relevance/Longevity
The topic of abnormal psychology is going to be one that is studied for generations to come. Although, the diagnostic manual (DSM) is already in its 5th edition and was created in a way to allow for evolve with times and society, so this textbook will need to be updated to adhere to the newest diagnostic guidelines.
Clarity
Students who take an abnormal psychology course are usually in their fourth year, almost ready to graduate. Given this, the textbook's clarity should be on par with that of the students' level.
Consistency
The terminology is consisten throughout the text and is in line with the DSM diagnostic guidelines.
Modularity
I like who the textbook is divided into diagnostic blocks to help the student become familiar with diagnostic guidelines.
Organization/Structure/Flow
I like how the book reads like the DSM diagnostic manual. The same class of disorders are paired together to better understand the disorders and the similarities between them, which is helpful because of the incidence of comorbidity.
Interface
No problems while reviewing.
Grammatical Errors
No grammatical errors were encountered during the review of this textbook.
Cultural Relevance
The textbook does a fair job of including cultural awareness and sensitivity into the relaying of demographic information about the incidence of each disorder.