Abnormal Psychology - 2nd Edition
Alexis Bridley, Washington State University
Lee W. Daffin Jr., Washington State University
Copyright Year: 2018
Publisher: Washington State University
Language: English
Formats Available
Conditions of Use
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
CC BY-NC-SA
Reviews
This text included all of the major psychological disorders, though was missing some that I plan to discuss (neurodevelopmental disorders, sleep-wake disorders). Some of these are included in their childhood disorders book, though I would like to... read more
This text included all of the major psychological disorders, though was missing some that I plan to discuss (neurodevelopmental disorders, sleep-wake disorders). Some of these are included in their childhood disorders book, though I would like to see at least a discussion of autism spectrum disorder in the newest edition of this book, since it is so relevant to daily life and functioning in adulthood. I also think a greater discussion of developmental psychopathology in the introductory chapters would be helpful in future editions.
I did not find any factual inaccuracies while reviewing this book. I found it to be an accurate reflection of the DSM-5 and relevent recent research studies.
This book is updated to reflect the most recent research and version of the DSM. Some prevalence estimates may need to be updated periodically (before the next update to the DSM) as they tend to change for some disorders over time.
This book is particularrly well written for an undergraduate audience. I found the modules to be clear and concise (a good length for each section that will hold student attention well).
I liked the parallel structure of the each module (to include the clinical presentation, epidemiology, comorbidity, etiology, and treatment of each disorder). This was consistent across all modules.
The book is broken down into modules that are based on the broader set of disorders (e.g., Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders) in the DSM-5.
This book is well organized both in terms of using modules, and within modules (headings and consisent structure of modules across the book).
Interface is easy to use. The links and table of contents all work nicely to jump to individual modules/sections and outside sources.
I did not notice any major grammatical errors throughout the text.
The examples and descriptions I looked at while reviewing the book all appeared to be culturally appropriate. However, I will be sure to look at this element closely when incorporating the textbook this spring. I will also solicit feedback from my students about this aspect of the text.
I am considering using this textbook (or at least portions of the book) for my spring undergraduate course in Abnormal Psychology. Overall, I found it to be well-organized, well-written, and easy to navigate (in addition to a good length in terms of holding student attention). I particularly liked the consistent outline of each module to include the clinical presentation, epidemiology, comorbidity, etiology, and treatment of each disorder. I think this parallel structure would be helpful to students in understanding the key components of each diagnosis we discuss in class. I also liked the inclusion of ‘Learning Outcomes’ and ‘Key Takeaways’ that can help instructors tie the text to lecture content and activities. Within many modules, the authors also include resources where students can find additional information on that topic (e.g., the National Eating Disorders website). I found these resources to be particularly helpful because students can follow the link directly from the online textbook or PDF, and it’s not another thing I need to add to the slides for class. I typically like to give students these additional resources as we never have time to cover everything in as much depth as I would ideally like. I do think this text includes the most common psychological disorders, and the ones that students are often most excited to learn about (e.g., personality disorders). However, it is also missing others from the DSM-5 that I do plan to cover, including neurodevelopmental disorders and sleep-wake disorders. This is not necessarily a negative thing, as many courses do not include these sections. However, I will need to supplement with other materials if I choose to fully adopt this book as my primary text. Below are a few other thoughts I had while reviewing the book:
1) As with most Abnormal Psychology textbooks, this book is focused on understanding how disorders present in adulthood. As a developmental scientist, I do plan to focus a bit more of the progression of these disorders across the lifespan than is done in the book (e.g., how do features of depression change from childhood to adulthood). However, the same authors do have another excellent open text that is specifically focused on behavioral disorders of childhood that I can and will likely easily integrate in my course to address this issue. Their childhood book also does include information on some neurodevelopmental disorders, which I mentioned are missing from the current book. It’s important to note that these are critical to discuss in adulthood as they are not just childhood disorders.
2) I quite like the intro chapter and how it introduces students to important methods, types of professionals (e.g., clinical psychologist, psychiatrist), and professional societies and journals. These are all things I planned to incorporate in my course. My only comment with the two opening sections is that I would have liked to see a more explicit discussion of the developmental psychopathology theory (e.g., work by Dante Cicchetti) included in the models of abnormal psychology. I think discussing the transactional model could also be helpful, but the developmental psychopathology theory is critical to understanding abnormal psychology and is something I will incorporate in my course.
3) It is a great text for students who are interested in understanding how specific disorders are diagnosed and treated and would be great intro information for students who want to pursue clinical careers. I do think I will need to supplement to make the content a bit more applied and community focused for my purposes, though that is not a criticism of this text, but rather something I would be personally looking for in a text directly tailored to my course.
Overall, I think this textbook would be great for an introductory course in abnormal psychology and will also be useful as an open educational resource in my spring course. As I mentioned above, I will likely combine with their open textbook on childhood disorders to emphasize how disorders change across the life course. I appreciate the easy-to-use organization of the book, and I will plan to report back on what my students think after their experiences this spring.
The outline of the textbook seemed similar to other abnormal psychology textbooks. The authors did a good job explaining terminology and defining mental health conditions. I think more clinical case examples could be provided throughout the... read more
The outline of the textbook seemed similar to other abnormal psychology textbooks. The authors did a good job explaining terminology and defining mental health conditions. I think more clinical case examples could be provided throughout the textbook and perhaps inserting "food for thought" sort of sections that highlight recent studies and include questions that help students think critically about those studies. I have found sections in textbooks like that a good way to learn the material, help students apply concepts, and stimulate interesting discussion within the classroom.
I did not find any information to be inaccurate, contain errors, or be biased. Authors brought in DSM definitions and used research studies to support their claims. Authors gave credit to external sources throughout the book.
Authors state in the beginning of the text that they plan to update the sections to align with the newest edition of the DSM. Most of the information is still relevant but it may need to be tweaked in some areas to account for the DSM changes.
Authors select appropriate jargon and define parts that may not be known to an undergraduate student.
Textbook chapters are fairly consistent with how the modules are organized (DSM description, epidemiology, comorbidity, etc.). I found it very easy to review the sections because of the consistency. Students may also find this beneficial when trying to locate certain information within a chapter.
The authors divide the textbook into "Part," "Block," and "Modules," which give instructors a chance to break the chapters into smaller sections. The text for each section has appropriate font size and color.
I noticed that objectives/goals were presented at the beginning of the chapter and for each module. It may be helpful to stick to either objectives for the whole chapter or for each section.
The organization of the textbook seems similar to other abnormal textbooks from publishers, such as Pearson. Personally, I think the sections on epidemiology and comorbidity could be summarized within each section that describes the DSM definition of the disorder or summarized in a single paragraph.
Additionally, the way that the textbook is organized currently it includes "Part," "Block," and "Module." The labels "Part" and "Block" are not very descriptive. Students may benefit from more detailed labels.
The authors mention at the beginning of the textbook that they plan to update the text in August 2022. This may be a reason that images, charts, graphs, etc. were not used in the textbook. There were colored boxes at the end of each chapter that summarized the material and included review questions. No navigation problems were evident.
No grammatical errors were found.
A discussion of cultural differences were found in various sections of the textbook (e.g. Module 1.4.7.4 and Module 5.5.4). However, I think students could benefit from more examples throughout the textbook that include individuals from a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds as well as explaining how presentations may vary depending on one's identity and/or culture. The explanation about rates of PTSD within the Hispanic population was excellent. .
Images would be a wonderful addition to this textbook. I'm excited to see the edits that will be made soon.
The text covered the major expected content. The authors included an effective glossary and index. The index would be improved it were clickable like the table of contents. read more
The text covered the major expected content. The authors included an effective glossary and index. The index would be improved it were clickable like the table of contents.
The authors included many relevant, accurate ideas and concepts in modules 1 and 2 to set the stage for their discussion of specific mental illnesses. I was very concerned about their lack of primary source citations, which is something about which I speak with my students extensively. I would be uncomfortable assigning a text that cites websites and blogs.
The authors presented up-to-date content that could be updated in the future if necessary.
The text is written in a style that is accessible to undergraduate students. It is easy to read and follow. The authors do not always provide enough information to explain content to those who have no previous knowledge of the topic. For example, their discussion of the disease model is not clear enough nor does it prepare an undergraduate student with no background information to answer the review question about the model at the end of the section. The authors go to great care to highlight and define many key terms in the first chapter, but then describe a study about social distance without describing what social distance is, a term that warrants explanation.
I did not notice any inconsistencies in my review.
The modules are broken down into smaller sections in a way that would make it easy to assign.
I did not always feel that the topics were presented in the most effective order to reduce confusion. For example, the prevalence rate for serious mental illnesses was presented before a description of what a serious mental illness is. Another example is presenting information about using psychotropic medications as treatment for specific disorders prior to discussing those disorders.
I used the pdf in my review, which had no major issues. Sometimes the pages broke at places that were not ideal, but I did not see that as a major problem.
The text was well-written for the audience. I notice one grammar error.
I did not observe culturally offensive language. The authors discussed multicultural issues, but more should be added to address the many cultural issues related to the diagnosis and treatment.
In module 1, I was excited to see there was a section on deinstitutionalization, then quickly disappointed that it was a mere three sentences that glossed over the phenomenon nearly entirely.
As an introductory Abnormal Psychology textbook, it covers most of the main psychological disorders. It is comprehensive and accessible. Future enhancements could include sexual and gender identity disorders, research methodology, and expand on... read more
As an introductory Abnormal Psychology textbook, it covers most of the main psychological disorders. It is comprehensive and accessible. Future enhancements could include sexual and gender identity disorders, research methodology, and expand on ethical issues. The figures and infographics are clear and easy to comprehend.
The concepts and supporting empirical evidence are accurate and not biased. Periodic updates will be needed to stay current. The second edition, August 2020 includes updated references.
The textbook is relevant and it incorporates current research. It should remain relevant until the DSM 5 is revised. The content and links can be easily updated, when necessary.
The design of the textbook and the navigation is accessible and clear. The terms throughout the modules in addition to the glossary and “key takeaways” are features that students should appreciate. The simplicity and clarity of the content is appropriate for an introductory textbook.
The psychological disorders (content related to the etiology, symptoms, and treatment) are presented consistently throughout each block or module. There is uniformity in each section.
The sections are modular. I really appreciated that variety of formats (Pressbook XML, PDF, and online e-book). The navigation is easy to use and it should be accessible for all learners.
The textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the main psychological disorders with a really good structural framework. The chapter organization and uniformity are excellent. The “back matter,” which includes the glossary, references, and index is positioned in a logical order with accessible links.
The interface and navigation are excellent. The infographics are clearly displayed and easy to read online.
It was well-written. No concerns or errors noted.
The book content is culturally appropriate when addressing the complexity and heterogenous nature of psychological disorders. The cultural relevance may vary based on a variety of factors and social environments. The addition of sexual and gender identity disorders would enhance the cultural relevance.
For an introductory textbook, it is very good. Incorporating content related to sexual and gender identity disorders, research methodology, and expand ethical issues would enhance student learning. Several of these topics could serve as discussion prompts to facilitate a more in-depth understanding of cultural differences.
This textbook is quite comprehensive as an overall introduction to Abnormal Psychology. The content of each chapter unfolds each main objective and provides clear explanations with examples and figures. I recommend this book to students in... read more
This textbook is quite comprehensive as an overall introduction to Abnormal Psychology. The content of each chapter unfolds each main objective and provides clear explanations with examples and figures. I recommend this book to students in counseling, psychology, and social work or anyone who is in the mental health field. The information is clear and easy to understand.
The content is accurate and unbiased
The content is relevant and straightforward with supporting photographs and links that can be updated.
In my view, its easy to follow each section and build connection between chapters. The language was appropriate for the context.
The framework for each section is consistent. I believe that students will enjoy this easy to follow layout and framework.
The textbook is broken down into logical and manageable sections that could be divided for instructors and students. The subheadings are very helpful in navigating readers to the objective of each section.
The book chapters are presented in a logical, clear fashion. Well organized by chapters and headings.
The interface is issue free and easy to read on a screen. The photo and tables are clearly displayed.
Well-written, with not noticeable grammatical errors.
Its imperative that we teach and address mental disorders across dimensions of race and ethnicity, countries of origin, home languages, socioeconomic status, and religious beliefs. I think that bringing in cultural implications may add to the well-roundness of this textbook.
I would use this textbook in a couple of my classes. However, I did not find references to refer to in-text citations.
This text covers all key groups of psychological disorders that one might want to discuss in an Abnormal Psychology course. It provides an appropriate overview of key components within each subject area and does not "cast too wide a net" - it... read more
This text covers all key groups of psychological disorders that one might want to discuss in an Abnormal Psychology course. It provides an appropriate overview of key components within each subject area and does not "cast too wide a net" - it focuses appropriately on the most up-to-date, empirically-supported information about the etiology, symptoms, and treatment of each disorder. Additionally, the text is appropriately concise, providing key information in a way that is both comprehensive and accessible. Regarding content areas, I would have liked to see a Research Methods chapter and perhaps a designated chapter on Ethical Issues (which is currently a small section of the Contemporary Issues chapter).
The text provides accurate, up-to-date, scientifically sound information regarding the etiology, symptoms, and treatment of each psychological disorder. However, it is missing a significant number of citations for the information provided - which is a problem in terms of (1) assessing the credibility of the claims made in the text and (2) teaching students the importance of citing their work.
The text is up-to-date with current research, and it is also organized in such a way that future updates to our understanding of the etiology and treatment of different psychological disorders should be relatively easy to add to the book.
The clarity of the text is one of its major strengths. It is written in a way that is accessible and concise, and key concepts are presented in a very digestible manner. While many textbooks might take two paragraphs to explain a concept, this textbook achieves an appropriate level of detail in a few sentences - which will likely enhance student engagement with the text.
The book achieves appropriate consistently in style and approach to content.
The text has several headers and sub-headers that are logical and consistent across chapters, as well as "key takeaways" at the end of each section. An instructor could easily break down a chapter into smaller assignments for students without causing high levels of confusion.
The chapters within this textbook are exceedingly well-organized. Across chapters, content is presented in a predictable way that is outlined at the start of the chapter, and key takeaways are presented between each section to facilitate learning consolidation. However, some of the "blocks" which organize the chapters within the textbook are structured in an unclear manner, which makes it difficult to anticipate where certain chapters might be located.
No interface concerns noted.
No grammatical concerns noted.
I did not observe any culturally insensitive language in my review of the text. However, the text's coverage of cultural factors in the etiology, presentation, and treatment of psychological disorders is exceedingly limited, and I would have liked to see increased attention to the role of culture and identity throughout the book.
The information provided in the PTSD section would benefit from increased focus on current empirically-supported treatments. Of the four psychotherapeutic treatments discussed, one is critical incident stress debriefing (CISD), which has been shown to have iatrogenic effects, and one is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), which is controversial at best. While the text does discuss exposure therapy and CBT, it is missing explicit discussions of empirically-supported treatments like CPT and PE.
Bridley's text covers most of the traditional components covered in Abnormal Psychology textbooks, though I was disappointed to see the absence of neurodevelopmental disorders and sexual/gender disorders covered. Historically, students really... read more
Bridley's text covers most of the traditional components covered in Abnormal Psychology textbooks, though I was disappointed to see the absence of neurodevelopmental disorders and sexual/gender disorders covered. Historically, students really enjoy learning about neurodevelopmental disorders and sexual/gender disorders chapter offers a nice opportunity to teach sociocultural factors in clinical psychology.
I thought the book overall made very accurate statements, with the exception that some information in the Current Trends section (Module 1) could stand to be updated.
The authors for the most part cover all relevant content in the field.
The book was written in a clear format with good readability for undergraduate level.
I found overall consistency among presentation of disorders and content within each learning module. Though there was some redundancy (classification covered in module 1 and 3).
I found the various sections and content to be relatively will encapsulated and students would be able to review content in small chunks, if thats of their choosing, without disrupting flow of learning. However, I prefer a bit more scaffolding where the content builds up to other information.
Organization and structure were quite aligned with other Abnormal Psychology textbooks I've reviewed and used.
The web format used for this textbook worked just fine for me and figures and tables were viewable without any issue.
No grammatical issues found on my end.
Would like to see more on cultural factors in various areas, including chapter 1 (societies), and the sociocultural model covered in module 2. Again, as I mentioned, the absence of a chapter on sexual/gender disorders takes away an opportunity to discuss more sociocultural factors. This seemed to be an area that the authors could focus on in a revision.
Overall an interesting book, very similar to other (costly) Abnormal psychology textbooks, and a good option for students. However, I was put off in module 2 where WebMD was cited as a source; this was disconcerting as I always encourage my students to use primary sources in their work. This was very offputting to me.
For many instructors' purposes, this abnormal psychology text will suffice or maybe exceed expectations given its depth regarding introductory material (i.e biopsychosocial model and models of abnormality). It offers an excellent introduction to... read more
For many instructors' purposes, this abnormal psychology text will suffice or maybe exceed expectations given its depth regarding introductory material (i.e biopsychosocial model and models of abnormality). It offers an excellent introduction to abnormal psychology without being cumbersome for the student. However, it is not an ideal option if you are wanting to cover childhood, sexual and gender identity disorders or health psychology-related topics such as sleep disorders as these topics are not included.
Overall, the information is consistent with other abnormal psychology textbooks and the scientific literature.
On page 90, the authors discuss the upcoming release of ICD-11 in 2018. This statement should be updated. I would also like to see updated statistics on the prevalence of mental disorders in the “current views/trends” section (pages 31-32) as the most recent citation is dated 2014. In addition, the information about who seeks treatment could use an update as the newest citation is 2013 (page 91). I would also recommend updated empirical citations reflecting the latest research in the field. However, all texts fall prey to the challenge of staying relevant in some respects so this text is not an anomaly in that regard.
Descriptions of symptoms and diagnostic criteria are very clear and presented in simple language. Language overall is easy to understand.
The text's terminology and framework seems internally consistent.
The text is divided into six sections that can easily be reordered as desired, and the chapters make sense as arranged in each module. I appreciate the merging of somatic symptom disorders with anxiety and OCD.
At the end of each section, the authors include helpful “key takeaways” to summarize what was addressed, and “review questions” to assess comprehension. Additionally, they include a “module recap” summarizing key points from the entire module.
Images/charts are minimal, but those that are present are helpful and easy to see and interpret. The only image that may pose a clarity issue for some is figure 2.5 illustrating Pavlov’s classical experiment.
The text is well-written, without grammatical errors.
The authors provide an important section on stigma and its relevance to mental disorders as well as a section on multicultural psychology.
This is the only open access abnormal psychology text that I am aware of, and I commend the authors for a valuable first edition that is easy to read and offers an effective introduction to abnormal psychology. My criticism of this text is minor compared to the accolades. I would highly recommend this text for instructors looking for an abnormal psychology text without the excessive detail but instead concise information palatable to most students.
The content was appropriate and covered a wide range of disorders that are either interesting and/or common in the practicing field. I am also a clinician and found the particular disorders to be the most prevalent while working in community... read more
The content was appropriate and covered a wide range of disorders that are either interesting and/or common in the practicing field. I am also a clinician and found the particular disorders to be the most prevalent while working in community mental health.
Overall, it appeared to be accurate and error-free. Unbiased, is difficult to measure as this text still pertains to the medical model which is a dominant culture lens and perspective.
It is relevant to today's standards. It will need to undergo revision as the DSM-5 is updated. It does lack a bit in cultural relevance (see culture review below). As someone who practices as a clinician, it has some nice definitions/summaries in the disorders section. However, it lacks some in application for someone who is unfamiliar with these disorders and how they manifest. Incorporating examples of what this might look like in real life scenarios or as a presenting concern would be helpful for students. It doesn't have to be in this book, it could be something that the educator adds to further enrich students' understanding.
The text is straightforward, however, a bit dry as most textbooks are. I would recommended this textbook/abnormal phycology class to students who have already completed basic psych courses to have a bit of framework prior to increase their familiarity with the jargon. However, the terminology is well organized with definition for reference.
The entire text stayed consistent in flow, voice, and framework. The tone is similar to that of many textbooks in the field when provided information or definition. The example case studies are nice break and provide a nice reference to work with throughout.
The modules were outlined clearly in the table of contents and could easily be broken up into sections for class assignments. Some images to break up each module at the beginning would be nice for some added aesthetics and flare. The interface (see below) could have been a bit better though.
I was most impressed by the organization as it was clear and straight-forward. It is formatted exactly how I would which is a more technical writing style. This however makes me a bit bias due to the personal preference in organization.
The text could have been organized a bit better. The section breakage for a more aesthetically appealing read was not there. It was reminiscent of strict APA or MLA guidelines in the breakage of section. It felt a big awkward with a title heading being at the end of a page and the accompanying content being on the next page.
I did not notice any grammatical errors while reading. At least any that stood out enough to make the read difficult or awkward in flow.
I would have liked to have seen a more in-depth look into cultural difference in applying these disorders. There was brief recognition and consideration, however, at the minimum that I see in most Western texts. There are references to build cultural understanding and humility as part of the standard in practice; a good list of sources would be beneficial. I would use this resource along with several other resources with a more in-depth cultural lens.
It covers most topics and more than adequate background as well. I like that it includes at the end of each section specific takeaways. read more
It covers most topics and more than adequate background as well. I like that it includes at the end of each section specific takeaways.
Topics appear to be accurate and references abundant.
Content is very relevant and includes biological information that is accurate and up to date and not prone to become obsolute.
Clear language, but a bit dull. Authors managed to make a fascinating subjects not so!
Text is extremely structured with precise sections and clear language and many definitions.
Text is divided into many sections and vocabulary defined and grouped in each section.
Again the text is extremely organized from beginning to end. The numbering of the sections is very precise.
Sometimes the text is cut off on the bottom of lines. The look and feel is not appealing--does not grab. More visuals needed and perhaps a better font.
The entire book is well written, but gain not in an interesting style. Too clinical.
The text is quite neutral in cultural bias. I didn't see any race, ethnicity inclusiveness of any kind.
I usually teach Computers and Technology and was unable to find a suitable text. I have taught abnormal psychology in the past so I chose this text. I had an excellent textbook (I can't remember the title, though) which was easy to follow as well as informative and interesting to read. While this one is well organized and well written, I would not recommend this text to use other than a reference.
Excellent content offering, comparable to traditional publisher's. The chapters are narrative driven in the beginning. With updated 2nd edition, excellent glossary, references, index, and adequate content. read more
Excellent content offering, comparable to traditional publisher's. The chapters are narrative driven in the beginning. With updated 2nd edition, excellent glossary, references, index, and adequate content.
The content is very up to date and accurate, which I compared chapter by chapter during lecture with the DSM-V. Also did a good job noting significant changes from DSM-V-TR and in comparisons with ICD-11.
The authors did a good job incorporating culturally appropriate updates and timely changes, however, the information in this domain is a little bit thin. I find it helpful to incorporate some more updated changes in the field and current events to supplement the text.
The written text is excellent. Very easy to read and engaging for the reader, even without technical background. Very appropriately done, especially for psychology students who most likely have been exposed to some of these content in lower level psychology classes. Language and terminology are up to the latest standard.
Terminology and framework consistent throughout the textbook and in line with DSM-V standards.
The updated 2nd edition improved on the organization of modules, making the different disorder information easily accessible according to appropriate diagnostic areas.
Perhaps one of the significant strength of this textbook is the organization. Very easy to find relevant disorder and learn about them from a student perspective. With the updated version, it follows closely with how DSM-V is organizing the diagnoses.
Both the Pressbook and pdf versions are clear and displayed correctly.
No grammatical errors detected.
The textbook made attempts to introduce cultural factors in each respective chapters. However, I would like to see later versions build upon this interest and facilitate more in depth discussions about multiculturalism.
The ancillary material offered were excellent, including visual-based powerpoint slides, and learning objective based test banks. Highly recommend reaching out to authors to supplement teaching.
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. read more
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.
To the extent of this review, the text is accurate and error-free. The textbook states facts, so bias should not be an issue.
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.
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.
The terminology is consisten throughout the text and is in line with the DSM diagnostic guidelines.
I like who the textbook is divided into diagnostic blocks to help the student become familiar with diagnostic guidelines.
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.
No problems while reviewing.
No grammatical errors were encountered during the review of this textbook.
The textbook does a fair job of including cultural awareness and sensitivity into the relaying of demographic information about the incidence of each disorder.
Bridley and Daffin provide one of the most comprehensive treatments of mental health and illness offered in an open textbook. The authors cover nearly every subject and learning objective required for a college introductory course on Abnormal... read more
Bridley and Daffin provide one of the most comprehensive treatments of mental health and illness offered in an open textbook. The authors cover nearly every subject and learning objective required for a college introductory course on Abnormal Psychology. They begin with a story to capture the reader’s interest and lay out the intention and format so that it is uncomplicated and clearly understood. The writing style appears easy to read, full of useful, insightful information. There is a significant glossary, list references and an index at the end.
The content of the text seems quite accurate and up to date. The authors present subject matter in an unbiased and objective manner. The subject matter as well as the notes on changes in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual and International Classification of Diseases are devoid of errors.
The content seems current and relevant especially to college students who are preparing to work in human services careers. The authors interface statistics, modern research articles and web sites to support the concepts. The text is arranged in a way that new additions could be easily added in the future. The book could use more stories, narratives and visuals supporting the content especially case studies which students may encounter in their lives. Examples of how to apply what one learns to real life would greatly enrich the textbook and easy to coalesce.
The text is written in lucid, intelligible, easy to read prose. Brief introductions and summaries are offered throughout the book which enhances clarity. No part of the written material seems confusing to the reader. The language and terminology are standard in terms of the learning objectives and information. It may need to be made accessible to students with learning disabilities and thus easily utilized in online course platforms such as Blackboard.
The text is internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework. The authors might consider spelling out terms in headings such as BDD, BED and FBT. However, the format is totally consistent throughout the entire book.
The outline of the book is most impressive. The text is readily divisible with reading sections and sub- headings that are precise and uncomplicated. There are no areas with large blocks of text that require further subdivision. The learning objectives are implemented with ease and flow. Having the learning objectives explained is an advantage for college curriculum purposes. There are no sections with an overload of written material nor is there overly self-referential material in the book.
The written material is presented in a logical, explicit and clear fashion. The six modules are laid out with titles and each module subdivided into sections. The authors begin “setting the stage” by introducing the notion of what it means to be normal and move into definitions of abnormality citing the traditional criteria: dysfunction, distress, defiance and danger. They integrate positive psychology with abnormal psychology, so the reader has a broader vision of the field. The history of mental illness, various theories and brief descriptions of the major research methods establish a foundation for the study. Concepts are backed up with research and website references. Clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment contains just the right amount of information. The remainder of the modules treat most of the psychiatric disorders listed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, with a concise introduction and focus on clinical presentation, epidemiology, comorbidity, etiology, and treatment options. The authors refer the students back to modules 1-3 for reminders of theory and causality. The book includes some information on psychopathology, law, ethics and leaves the reader wondering if gaming is an addiction. It is missing sexual and sleep disorders. Finally, each module is recapped at its close.
The visuals interfaced in the text regarding the nervous system and classical conditioning support the written material. There does not seem to be any distortions, navigation problems or display features that confuse or distract the reader. The remainder of the book contains very few graphs, tables or visuals which would be very useful learning tools to add in the future.
The text contains no grammatical or spelling errors.
The authors state that “culture-sensitive therapies have been developed increasing awareness of cultural values, hardships, stressors, and/or prejudices, the identification of suppressed anger and pain; and raising the client’s self-worth.” Here is one example: “Individuals from non-Western countries (China and other Asian countries) often focus on the physical symptoms of depression- tiredness, weakness, sleep issues, and less of an emphasis on the cognitive symptoms. Individuals from Latino and Mediterranean cultures often experience problems with “nerves” and headaches as primary symptoms of depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Multi-cultural psychology appears somewhat integrated into the text material. Naturally, more examples inclusive of race and ethnicity could be employed in the future including Native American and other indigenous cultures.
The book includes common treatments used for mental illness: CBT, IPT, Modeling, Biofeedback, Rational-Emotive Therapy, EMDR, Exposure and Desensitization, Hypnosis, Relaxation Training, Aversion Therapy, Emotional Regulation and others. It would be helpful to expand treatment options to include Naturopathy (homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine etc), Orthomolecular Medicine (Nutritional Therapy, and Energy Psychology such as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique, Reiki, Neuro-linguistic Programming, and Group Therapy Workbooks, such as Anger and Stress Management, Drug and Alcohol Programs or SAMHSA Trauma Informed Care Manual that lists numerous programs for Post Traumatic Stress for example. The authors could provide at least one study on the benefits of spiritual practices such as prayer, ritual, mindfulness, music, tribal dance, yoga etc. The significance of spirituality and religious practices is overlooked. A more comprehensive list of various treatments could be included as an appendix.
In the section on the history of mental illness, there could be a comment on the fact that former methods of treatment are still employed today and have been improvised to meet the challenges of modernity. ECT, still used in psychiatric hospitals and exorcism/deliverance therapy employed in various religious traditions are merely two examples.
Another option would be to place pharmacology at the end of the treatment list instead of the first, primary one in the sections of each module. Then comment about how prescription drugs have side-affects and are sometimes abused by the recipient.
A graph of specific phobias, list of common “stressors” with reference to various stress inventories, and examples of adjustment disorders related to college students would enrich the text . The section on suicide could be expanded further as well as additional treatments and current programs for neurocognitive disorders.
Overall, Bridley and Daffin have accomplished a major task in edition one. It would be a welcomed text for a college course in Abnormal Psychology.
Table of Contents
Part I. Setting the Stage
- Module 1: What is Abnormal Psychology?
- Module 2: Models of Abnormal Psychology
- Module 3: Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Part II. Mental Disorders - Block 1
- Module 4: Mood Disorders
- Module 5: Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
- Module 6: Dissociative Disorders
Part III. Mental Disorders - Block 2
- Module 7: Anxiety Disorders
- Module 8: Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
- Module 9: Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
Part IV. Mental Disorders - Block 3
- Module 10: Eating Disorders
- Module 11: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Part V. Mental Disorders - Block 4
- Module 12: Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
- Module 13: Personality Disorders
Part VI. Mental Disorders - Block 5
- Module 14: Neurocognitive Disorders
- Module 15: Contemporary Issues in Psychopathology
Ancillary Material
About the Book
Abnormal Psychology is an Open Education Resource written by Alexis Bridley, Ph.D. and Lee W. Daffin Jr., Ph.D. through Washington State University. The book tackles the difficult topic of mental disorders in 15 modules. This journey starts by discussing what abnormal behavior is by attempting to understand what normal behavior is. Models of abnormal psychology and clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment are then discussed. With these three modules completed, the authors next explore several classes of mental disorders in 5 blocks. Block 1 covers mood, trauma and stressor related, and dissociative disorders. Block 2 covers anxiety, somatic symptom, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Block 3 covers eating and substance-related and addictive disorders. Block 4 tackles schizophrenia spectrum and personality disorders. Finally, Block 5 investigates neurocognitive disorders and then ends with a discussion of contemporary issues in psychopathology. Disorders are covered by discussing their clinical presentation and DSM Criteria, epidemiology, comorbidity, etiology, and treatment options.
About the Contributors
Authors
Alexis Bridley, Washington State University
Lee W. Daffin Jr., Washington State University