Review of The Psychopathology of Women.

Reviews the book, The Psychopathology of Women by Ihsan Al-Issa (1980). The Psychopathology of Women, is a comprehensive examination of how Western culture influences the experience, expression and treatment of psychopathology in men and women. The chapters examine the major DSM - III categories in light of Dr. Al-Issa's premise that the diagnosis, experience and treatment of mental illness are related to sex roles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of "Symptoms of Psychopathology": A Handbook.

Reviews the book, Symptoms of Psychopathology: A Handbook by Charles G. Costello (ed.) (see record 1971-06393-000). "Symptoms of Psychopathology" is an ambitious undertaking that sweeps over the whole area of conventionally defined mental health. There are 25 contributions, and all are original. Their quality is high, with but one or two exceptions. This reviewer liked the chapters on memory, enuresis, and phobias especially. There is a deliberate common attempt to deal both with (1) assessment and (2) treatment. The most salient feature of the book is the objective approach using the behavioural rather than the psycho-dynamic language of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Rochester Symposium on Developmental Psychopathology, Volume 3: Models and integrations.

Reviews the book, Rochester Symposium on Developmental Psychopathology, Volume 3: Models and integrations by Dante Cicchetti and Sheree L. Toth (1991). Cicchetti and Toth's Models and integrations is the third of five volumes issuing from the annual "Rochester Symposium on Developmental Psychopathology," a series of publications which has served to define the discipline. The current volume plays a pivotal role in the evolution of developmental psychopathology because it raises important theoretical questions about the discipline, not the least of which are what is it and what might it be? In challenging the conceptual strength and clarity of the field, the book addresses salient developmental issues that will need to be resolved if the discipline is to advance. This is a thought-provoking and intellectually challenging book. It contains 11 weighty chapters organized into three relatively distinct but overlapping sections: (1) theoretical issues, (2) models for understanding specific forms of child psychopathology, and (3) developmentally-grounded intervention strategies. Each chapter in this book demonstrates an extraordinarily high level of theoretical and methodological sophistication. Collectively, the chapters in this volume constitute one of the most informative and sophisticated discussions of theory and methodology in the field of developmental psychopathology that is currently available. This volume is an outstanding contribution to the field and is highly recommended reading for advanced students and researchers in the areas of developmental and child psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Suicide and Self-Damaging Behavior: A Sociobiological Perspective.

Reviews the book, Suicide and Self-Damaging Behavior: A Sociobiological Perspective by Denys deCatanzaro (1981). Ultimately, it seems to me, this book does not persuasively present and support a useful, new approach to suicide. The author seeks to understand how self-destructive behaviour has existed in more or less constant frequency throughout human history, given evolutionary pressures toward species survival. His basic argument, elaborated extensively throughout the book, is that "those committing suicide are generally those with relative difficulties in reproductive and socially productive activities" and thus do not contribute as much to the "inclusive fitness" of the population. Even given the accuracy of his generalizations, the author must account for the seemingly maladaptive exceptions to the rule--that is, self-destructive behaviour among those who can still contribute positively to the population gene pool. In so doing, he turns to so many exceptions as to make the argument almost meaningless. The book concludes with suggestions for further research. Some of these suggestions (e.g., the role of ecologically novel environments on suicide) are promising. Others sound naive ("We need data allowing a partitioning of learned and nonlearned aspects of suicidal behavior"). It is not clear how the suggested research studies would demonstrate the validity of the sociobiological model, which seems incapable of empirical disproof. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychology and Law: An Empirical Perspective.

Reviews the book Psychology and Law: An Empirical Perspective by Neil Brewer and Kipling D. Williams (Eds.) (see record 2005-07316-000). This book deals with a wide array of topics selected from the fields of developmental, social, and cognitive psychology that were chosen because of their relevance and applicability to issues in the criminal justice system. As the title implies, forensic practices can be understood (and ultimately enhanced) by research that addresses the scientific foundation of those practices. The editors deliver exactly what they promise, namely, empirical analyses of the various procedures and assumptions within the legal system. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Childhood disorders: Behavioral-developmental approaches.

Reviews the book, Childhood disorders: Behavioral-developmental approaches edited by Robert J. McMahon and Ray Dev. Peters (1985). This volume includes 11 original chapters from the 1983 Banff International Conference on Behavioral Sciences. Together, these chapters provide an overview of a number of high-quality programmes of research in the area of childhood disorders. The editors state that the purpose of the current offering is to focus on recent advances in the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of childhood behaviour disorders, with particular attention being given to the role of developmental processes. The book contains two major sections. The first provides an overview of the conceptual foundations for a "behavioural-developmental" approach to childhood disorders. The second, which constitutes approximately 80% of the volume, illustrates programmes for the assessment and treatment of childhood disorders spanning the developmental spectrum from infancy to adolescence. Although this volume's attempt to bridge the gap between behavioural and developmental work may fall short, it is nevertheless a worthwhile contribution that nicely illustrates a range of outstanding programmes of clinical research for a variety of childhood disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Culture and Psychopathology.

Reviews the book, Culture and Psychopathology, edited by Ihsan Al-Issa (1982). This book consists of 16 chapters on different aspects and issues of the study of psychopathology cross-culturally by a number of different authors, many of them well-known authorities in the field. Topics covered include methodology in cross-cultural psychopathology, social class and affective disorders, culture-bound syndromes, personality abnormalities, alcohol abuse, sexual deviation, psychosomatics, and pain. The book will serve as a good reference both for those interested in the findings of the research on the influence of culture on psychopathology and for those concerned with the issues and problems of research in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The Sexual Body: An Interdisciplinary Perspective.

This book is a psychoanalytically based compendium of studies about the "sexual body." Each of the chapters contains reviews of research and theories, presenting multiple views of the body and its importance as a psychological entity. Space is devoted to discussions of Reich, Bowlby, Peterfreund, Kohut, Lichtenstein, Holland, and Lacan. Topics such as the sexual revolution, George Bernard Shaw, Robert Frost, orgasm, homosexuality, and the theory of evolution are included. Efron attempts to remove shame and guilt regarding the body's sexual components. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The psychotherapy of the self.

Reviews the book, The psychotherapy of the self by Hyman L. Muslin and Eduardo R. Val (see record 1987-98090-000). This book is written for mental health professionals. Its intention is to present criteria for psychopathology from a self-psychological viewpoint. Based on a differential diagnosis, a psychoanalytic treatment modality is suggested that is judged to be most suitable to the assessed psychopathology. This book offers excellent clinical material, presented in detail, with an ongoing commentary which illuminates the interviewer's interpretation of the data presented. The problems with the book do not lie in the clinical material presented. Its problems result from the way in which the material is organized and the theoretical claims that are stated or implied. A more controversial but equally important criticism of the book is the manner in which data collection and the relationship between therapist and client are conceptualized. The reviewer found the book to contain some major shortcomings. It is theoretically lacking, though clinically stimulating. A reader will find the book valuable for its clinical material and the manner in which this is presented. In addition, there are insights to be gained relating to the functioning of the therapist as he or she experientially participates in the process of psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychopathology and psychotherapy: From diagnosis to treatment.

Reviews the book, Psychopathology and psychotherapy: From diagnosis to treatment, edited by Len Sperry and Jon Carlson (see record 1993-97172-000). Alfred Adler is perhaps the most unjustly overlooked theorist in our field, and deserves wider recognition and greater integration into the clinical mainstream. Such is the admirable goal of Sperry and Carlson's effort. Unfortunately, it is unlikely to achieve that goal. This is an edited text in which a variety of distinguished Adlerians have been asked to address specific DSM categories. In each case the chapters begin with a review of the category in question, typically including a summary of diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, course, associated problems, various etiological positions, and so forth. This non-Adlerian material consumes an enormous proportion of the book. The intent was to produce not only an Adlerian reference source, but also a text for undergraduate and graduate psychopathology courses in all mental health disciplines, as well as interns and residents. It attempts to do too much, and fails to do enough. It attempts to appeal too widely, and fails to appeal at all. In nearly all of the chapters the coverage is insufficiently comprehensive to actually serve as part of an abnormal psychology textbook; this is particularly true in the areas of etiological theory and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychopathology and addictive disorders.

Reviews the book, Psychopathology and addictive disorders edited by Roger E. Meyer (see record 1986-98775-000). This volume is divided into six sections that are intended to reflect the possible interactions or relationships between psychopathology and the addictive disorders. I found this book to be informative, enjoyable, and stimulating for the most part. It appealed to both the clinician and the researcher in me and I would recommend it to both types of readers. There are several less favorable aspects of the book about which the potential purchaser and reader needs to be forewarned. First, clinical implications abound in many chapters and clinical applications are directly addressed in several. However, the book is not a clinical handbook by any means nor are treatment discussions the primary focus of many of the chapters. Secondly, the authors do a better job describing the various sorts of psychopathological conditions that are seen in conjunction with addictive disorders than they do in covering the full range of abused substances. A final caution concerns the lack of a road map to guide the reader through the book. However, this book should serve as a solid summary of the relatively current status of the questions as well as a springboard for future research ideas. I commend the editor and authors and recommend it as a valuable addition to the bookshelf of clinician and researcher involved with substance use problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychological stress and psychopathology.

Presents a review of Psychological Stress and Psychopathology, edited by Richard W. J. Neufeld (1982). This volume presents a collection of 12 chapters on different aspects of the association between stress and psychological disorder. Each contribution is made by acknowledged experts in their fields, and the total collection represents an excellent and authoritative overview of the present state of our knowledge of the influence of stressors on mental health. The book falls into four main sections, the first two of which deal with the role of stress factors in precipitating or enhancing vulnerability to schizophrenia and depression. The third part encompasses more theoretical considerations on broader issues raised by stress research. The book closes with a fourth section on the efficacy of various treatment interventions for stress-related maladaptive behaviours. This text reminds us of the need to improve our ways of attempting to control the myriad factors which interact within the global construct of stress and provides us with a number of imaginative methodological approaches. For all those concerned with the examination of stress and its contribution to disturbed behaviour, Neufeld's book is a goldmine of information and advice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Abnormal psychology.

Reviews the book, Abnormal psychology by Thomas F. Oltmanns, Robert E. Emery, and Steven Taylor (2001). Oltmanns, Emery, and Taylor have kept their current text within the mainstream. In the first edition of the text (Oltmanns & Emery, 1995), they followed an integrative systems approach, similar to that adopted by Sarason and Sarason in 1989, in which evidence on biological, psychological, and social influences was combined in the discussion of the aetiology of the different disorders. Their major claims to uniqueness in the Canadian edition reside in the retention of their integrative systems approach; the integration of scientific methodology into every chapter; and an emphasis on multicultural issues in which, as the name of the text indicates, Canadian research and issues predominate. With this text, Oltmanns, Emery, and Taylor have answered the plea for Canadian content and, within the contemporary style of text, have done it well. Personally, however, I continue to lament the passing of the era of the psychopathology text, when abnormal psychology actually referred to an aspect of psychology, rather than psychiatry, and the presentation of material lacked the hegemony of a particular--that is, North American--cultural perspective. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Development in work and organizational psychology: Implications for international business.

Reviews the book, Development in work and organizational psychology: Implications for international business edited by Paul Jackson and Manfusa Shams (2006). This book is part of the Elsevier International Business and Management Series. Jackson and Shams state that the objective of this book is to "give authoritative accounts" of developments within work and organisational psychology for students and practitioners of international business. The editors emphasise that this book or any edited book cannot be a comprehensive work on all of the areas in organisational psychology, so they selected leading scholars from the United Kingdom and North America and invited these researchers to select a topic in their area of expertise. From this "reflective practitioner's perspective," the volume becomes a miscellany of chapters, some of which international business scholars would not consider to be international business. The main topics in international business (IB) include such things as international trade, foreign direct investment, global monetary system, international strategy, importing and exporting, global manufacturing and operations management, international marketing, global or international human resources management, international accounting, international finance, the international environment, economic and socioeconomic and sociocultural forces, and political and legal environment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The clinician’s handbook.

Reviews the book, The clinician's handbook by Robert G. Meyer and Sarah E. Deitsch (see record 1996-97385-000). This book is an integration of a great deal of both diagnostic and clinical information concerning adult and adolescent psychopathology. It brings together a collective wealth of information about various psychological assessment tools. It also attempts to show the relevance of assessment data, both to case formulation and to treatment/intervention. Although, as the reviewer notes, there are a few expected flaws in the text, he believes that the authors should be congratulated for their superb effort to accomplish what they set out to do, which is to give a specific and concrete focus to psychopathology assessment. This book is recommended for psychotherapists, particularly those who are forensically oriented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Gender and Psychopathology.

Reviews the book, Gender and Psychopathology by Ihsan Al-Issa (Ed.) (1982). The reviewer maintains that this book appears to achieve its aim of providing a comprehensive review of gender-psychopathology relationships. Nevertheless, because the range of convenience of the psychopathology construct has not been clearly delineated, an assessment of the book's comprehensiveness cannot easily be made. Furthermore, the often uncritical acceptance of official figures on rates of psychiatric disorders obscures the social context in which psychiatric labeling takes place. It would seem to this reviewer that data on rates of disorders in men and women need to be understood in terms of both the structural characteristics of the mental health system generating these figures and the formal categories used by mental health workers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychopathology in the mentally retarded.

Reviews the book, Psychopathology in the mentally retarded by Johnny L. Matson and Rowland P. Barrett (see record 1985-97358-000). This book is an important contribution to the available literature on emotional and behavioral disorders in clients with the additional disability of mental retardation. This text is intended to provide the clinician and researcher with a broad view of existing empirical data dealing with mentally retarded individuals who exhibit psychopathology. As such, it provides a valuable review of much empirical research, especially that with a clear behavioral formulation. The text also is updated to include a DSM-III formulation of psychiatric disorders. The book is successful in achieving the goal of providing broad, empirical data. The book would be a wise purchase for the skilled clinician, although it is not a clinical handbook or "how-to" manual. The behaviorally oriented clinician will be most comfortable with the general approach and organization of the material. The book is essential to the library of the researcher in the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Treating Attachment Pathology.

Reviews the book, Treating Attachment Pathology by Jon Mills (see record 2005-04683-000). Many books written on attachment pathology focus on the assessment and treatment of children, and provide very little information on attachment difficulties found in adults and adolescents. This book addresses this neglected area by exploring attachment disorders and psychopathology in adults. As such, Mills' work is a welcome addition to the literature. It goes beyond simply linking adult psychopathology to early attachment difficulties. Mills' work provides a theoretical framework for understanding attachment from a psychodynamic/psychoanalytic perspective and then uses this theoretical framework to discuss the aetiology and treatment of adult disorders. Mills aims to make Treating Attachment Pathology accessible to the expert and novice alike. He does this by extensively reviewing the literature for the expert and by making the literature accessible to the novice by providing case examples. Mills himself, however, acknowledges that at times the literature and language is "dense and esoteric." To counteract this Mills makes extensive use of case examples and thereby makes complex and theoretically dense concepts accessible. This is one of the real strengths of Mills' book and it is done with great skill. Although Mills is working from a psychoanalytic/psychodynamic perspective, this book offers much to clinicians from all perspectives. Mills' frank discussion of his own mistakes, and his invitations to critique his therapeutic decisions and techniques, provide a fresh and welcome addition to the literature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of A World of Difference: Gender Roles in Perspective.

Reviews the book, A World of Difference: Gender Roles in Perspective by Esther R. Greenglass (1982). In A World of Difference, Esther Greenglass has given us an excellent social-psychological perspective on sex, gender, and sex-role differences. Greenglass clearly analyses current research on these topics with the perspective of the culture in which gender-based behaviour occurs. Equally important, however, is the discussion of the social and cultural context of the research itself. Aside from this important and useful discussion of the research in its social context, there is a very thorough review of contemporary issues relating to gender roles. This is a very readable book for students. The collection of pictures and cartoons depicting contemporary male and female roles illustrates the issues while showing their humorous side. Throughout the book, there are examples of Canadian data and Canadian research which will make the book particularly appealing to those who find that U.S. texts are too chauvinistic about the American experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychopathology: Contemporary Jungian perspectives.

Reviews the book, Psychopathology: Contemporary Jungian perspectives edited by Andrew Samuels (see record 1991-97962-000). This book is a collection of relevant articles culled by the editor from the Journal of Analytical Psychology. Because the editor has collected what was available rather than having commissioned items specifically to span the topic for the book, the coverage of the range of psychopathology is spotty, although the major topics of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and personality disorders are covered. Several articles on narcissism are included as are also articles dealing with marital pathology and Holocaust victims. Most are from the perspective of Jungian therapy with the only other theoretical input used coming from self psychology. No other approaches are mentioned. Obviously, the book is likely to be a useful compendium to Jungian analysts. It is somewhat difficult to see how it could be useful to practitioners of other points of view. The language is replete with Jungian terms that are not explained and may not be immediately understandable for persons outside that system. There are two additional major flaws that are also apparent: The tone and language are decidedly British and refer to how the British mental health system is organized, which is, of course, somewhat different than ours; also, because of the publication dates, many of the articles have a dated quality. Both of these factors limit the potential audience for this book. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)