Essentials of Understanding Abnormal Behavior

This brief text offers the same sociocultural focus, multicultural emphasis, topical coverage, and engaging style of its parent text in a condensed, student-friendly format. The wealth of visuals, case studies, and examples combine with thorough new research, making the text a comprehensive tool for students of abnormal psychology. Engaging pedagogical aids help students grasp and retain material. Coverage also features proposed changes in the APA's DSM-5 definition of mental disorders and its implications, including its change of focus from a categorical to a dimensional system of personality assessment. Chapter outlines provide a topical overview while Focus Questions guide students to seek their own answers as they read the chapter. Case studies highlight issues of mental health and mental disorders, using actual clinical files to illuminate topics. With more than 1,600 new references, this edition is thoroughly updated in its research and coverage. The fresh design makes the text even more approachable and appealing to students. It is accompanied by a helpful support package for instructors and students.

David Sue is professor emeritus of psychology at Western Washington University, where he is an associate of the Center for Cross-Cultural Research. He has served as the director of the Psychology Counseling Clinic and the Mental Health Counseling Program. He and his wife co-authored the book COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY and he is co-author of COUNSELING THE CULTURALLY DIVERSE: THEORY AND PRACTICE. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Washington State University. His research interests revolve around multicultural issues in individual and group counseling.

Derald Wing Sue is professor of psychology and education in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. He has written extensively in the field of counseling psychology and multicultural counseling/therapy and is co-author of a bestselling book, COUNSELING THE CULTURALLY DIVERSE: THEORY AND PRACTICE. Dr. Sue has served as president of the Society of Counseling Psychology and the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues and has received numerous awards for teaching and service. He received his doctorate from the University of Oregon.

Stanley Sue is professor of psychology and director of the Center for Excellence in Diversity at Palo Alto University. From 1971 to 1981, he was assistant and associate professor of psychology at the University of Washington; Professor of Psychology, UCLA (1981-1996); and professor of psychology at UC Davis (1996-2010 and now emeritus distinguished professor). Dr. Sue served as the 2010 president of the Western Psychological Association.

Diane M. Sue received her Ed.S.in School Psychology and her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She has worked as a school psychologist and counselor, as well as with adults needing specialized care for mental illness and neurocognitive disorders. She taught courses at Western Washington University as an adjunct faculty member. She received the Washington State School Psychologist of the Year Award, the Western Washington University College of Education Professional Excellence Award and co-authored the book COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY. Her areas of expertise include child and adolescent psychology, neuropsychology, and interventions with ethnic minority children and adolescents.