Abnormal Psychology. William J. Ray

the limbic areas that, in turn, influence higher cortical networks. On the other hand, cognitive therapies work in a top-down manner by influencing the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which, in turn, has an inhibitory effect on the lower brain processes. Even within traditional psychotherapy outcome research, there is a new sense of integration of traditionally dichotomous positions. This includes a search for specifying empirically supported procedures, such as the successful relationship between client and therapist, which determine treatment outcomes. In terms of prevention, there has been a recent increase in neuroscience research that shows the manner in which enriched environments as well as exercise can influence brain development and play an important role in the prevention of both pathophysiology and psychopathology.

      New Perspectives in Abnormal Psychology

      In the same way that psychology offers important insights in terms of human behavior and experience, abnormal psychology must also consider these perspectives. This not only includes the signs and symptoms seen in particular disorders, but the abilities of individuals with these disorders to live productive lives. From this perspective, you will read stories of people with even serious mental disorders who have made important contributions in their professional and personal lives.

      Behavior and experience take place on a number of levels, and it is imperative that abnormal psychology texts begin to offer such an integrative perspective. For example, recent thinking in social neuroscience suggests that it is not productive to teach brain anatomy or emotionality in one chapter of a textbook and social relationships, influence, and perception in another. Within the community of abnormal psychology researchers, there is an increasing understanding of the manner in which various disorders reflect impairments in social processes and the brain functions associated with them. With such an integrated approach, students can come to understand the nature of impaired relationships on a variety of levels including cognitive, affective, and motor processes.

      This Text

      The purpose of this text is to bring together current perspectives in understanding mental disorders. In addition to the traditional psychological literature, additional information from the cognitive and affective neurosciences, ethology, evolution, and genetics will be discussed. The focus is on a unification and integration of these understandings within a broader consideration.

      This Second Edition

      Based on feedback from numerous faculty and researchers in the field, some major structural changes were undertaken in this second edition. Chapters 1 and 2 on the overview of psychopathology and changing conceptualizations of psychopathology throughout history were combined into a single chapter. This allows students to begin learning about specific disorders in a timelier manner. Also, the chapter on schizophrenia has been moved to later in the book. Learning objectives have been added to give students specific goals toward completion of each chapter and mastery of key concepts.

      In addition to these structural changes, new feature boxes have been added throughout the book. One of these boxes is Understanding Changes in DSM–5. This feature describes the reasoning behind the changes that were made to specific disorders in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This feature has been added to all of the chapters that focus on disorders. In addition, when appropriate, a feature box on specific research or statistical terms has been added to certain chapters to help students understand the research presented. Glossary terms have also been updated and clarified.

      This edition also includes additional LENS features, including new Cultural LENS boxes which highlight important societal and cultural issues relevant to abnormal psychology, along with “Thought Questions” that have been added to engage critical thinking. I describe specific chapter changes below.

      Chapter 1: An Overview of Psychopathology and Changing Conceptualizations of Mental Illness

       Chapter 1 is now a streamlined combination of Chapters 1 and 2 from the first edition of this book.

       There is a new table on the key components of psychopathology.

       New information has been added on the biopsychosocial approach.

       The latest available data is included in the form of a figure on the prevalence of any mental illness among U.S. adults by gender, age, and race.

       New information on CBT treatments, referred to as third wave CBT, has been added.

      Chapter 2: Neuroscience Approaches to Understanding Psychopathology

       Research methods have been updated with new research on endophenotypes.

       Updated information was added on the number of neurons in the brain and their potential connections.

       A new table describing pros and cons of different brain imaging techniques has been included.

       A new Cultural LENS was added: Using Brain Imaging to Understand Culture.

      Chapter 3: Research Methods

       Updated scatter plots have been included for better student understanding of concepts related to correlation.

       A new LENS has been added: Treatment and Clinical Perspectives—Failure to Publish the Results of All Clinical Trials Is Hurting Medical Science.

       A new Cultural LENS was added: Randomized Controlled Trials of Global Mental Health Treatments in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

      Chapter 4: Assessment and Classification of Psychological Disorders

       A new Cultural LENS was added: Empirically Supported Research Approaches and Cultural Competence.

       Another new LENS was included: Assessment, Classification, and Clinical Practice—The RDoC Alternative to the DSM.

       An extended discussion of the NIMH RDoC approach to classification of psychopathology was added.

      Chapter 5: Disorders of Childhood

       A new Cultural LENS was added: Romania Adoption Study. This study examines the effects of foster care as opposed to being placed in an institution on attachment and mental health.

       A new Research Terms to Know feature has been included, focusing on prospective studies.

       Another new LENS was added: Do Adults With ADHD Have a Different Disorder From That Seen in Children?

       A new feature box, Understanding Changes in DSM–5, describes the considerations and development of the autism spectrum disorder criteria in the latest version of the DSM.

       Information was updated concerning the relationship between the genetics of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and schizophrenia.

       Information was updated on cortical networks related to autism spectrum disorder.

       Information was updated on medications used to treat autism spectrum disorder.

       Information was updated on psychosocial treatments for ADHD.

       New information has been included on the use of neurofeedback for the treatment of ADHD.

       Updated information was added on critical periods of development that can be associated with developmental disorders.