Abnormal Psychology by Susan Nolen-hoeksema

Abnormal Psychology is filled with small diagrams ofautobiography of the psychologist Kay Redfield
the brain that illustrate the structures that are affectedJamison (who is under bipolar disorder). These
or influenced by the abnormalities. Each and everytestimonials help the students to have a better
disorder involves a particular structure in the brain.understanding of the signs and symptoms and the real
These diagrams help the students to understand theeffect of psychological disorders in the lives of people.
each and every part of the brain and find out theMoreover there are 'Taking Psychology Personally'
areas that are related with the psychological disorders.sections where the personal concerns (brought by the
Abnormal Psychology also includes a sectionstudents) about abnormal psychology are included. The
'Extraordinary People' where the life of the peoplebook also includes various practical approaches and
who live with psychological disorder is featured.techniques (for example how to search for a better
Readers are able to understand how the people withtherapist and how to take care of a loved one who
mental disorder live and what the consequences are.suffer from mental disorder). Apart from this, there are
The empirical research sections include the studies ofcase studies that explain the symptoms and treatment
the famous researchers with the illustrations (aboutdetails of real time cases. Students are also benefited
where the field is proceeding). The fourth edition alsowith the clinical context of abnormal psychology in the
includes information on repetitive transcrannial magneticbook. The book also includes wonderful learning tools
stimulation. Apart from this there are discussions aboutthat help the readers to catch the important
gender and culture and its relation with the frequencyinformation in the entire text, for example the
and type of the mental disorders. The new edition alsoDSM-IV-TR Tables. There are also the 'Concept
includes various debates and studies, for example theOverviews' that are the summaries of the key
debate about the influence of culture in the diagnosismaterial in the form of figures and tables. This
of psychological disorders.constitutes a visual summary of the entire text.
Abnormal Psychology also includes the 'voices' sectionAnother unique feature of the book is the
in all chapters that contains subjective accounts or'FacesInteractive' section which is a web-based which
testimonies from people who suffer fromhelps the readers to evaluate the real patients.
psychological disorders. For example the