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Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology By Vicki Phares (2003). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. 455 pp., $104.95 (hardcover)
This book is intended as a text in abnormal psychology for students at advanced undergraduate level or beginning postgraduate students. It comprises six sections, the Foundations of Abnormal Child Psychology (six chapters), Risk and Protective Factors, (two chapters), Internalizing Problems (two chapters), Externalizing Problems (three chapters) Other Problems (three chapters), and Applying What You've Learned (one chapter). This form of division in the book makes reasonable sense, and provides the book with structure.
In the first section, the foundations section, the usual issues are covered. Thus, in the first chapter there is coverage of normality and abnormality, diagnostic classification systems and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)with a section on the advantages and disadvantages of the DSM-IV, and prevalence rates of problem behaviour in children and adolescents. Chapter 2 deals with theoretical issues and puts together an overarching theory of developmental psychopathology. In this chapter there is discussion of the importance of theory, and a brief coverage of the...