Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding

This is the most up-to-date text about the etiology and treatment of the most important psychological disorders. Intended for first-year graduate students in clinical and counseling psychology, the third edition of Psychopathology continues to focus on research and empirically supported information while also challenging students to think critically. The first part of the book is devoted to the issues, ideas, and concepts in psychopathology. These chapters give students a set of conceptual tools that will help them read more thoroughly and critically the second half of the book, which focuses on specific disorders. Each chapter in this section provides a definition, description, and brief history of the disorder it discusses, and outlines theory and research on etiology and empirically supported treatments. The length, organization, content, and level and style of writing are consistently tailored to the audience, and the disorders discussed are the ones most frequently encountered by students in their training and subsequent clinical careers. A new section addresses child and adolescent disorders, while updated sections include dimensional approaches, the biological bases of psychopathology, learning theories, developmental psychopathology, dissociative disorders, mental health and aging, and mood disorders. This valuable teaching tool is not only appropriate for students, but also professionals, who will continue to refer to it as a reference.

James E. Maddux, PhD, is University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He is the former editor of the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology and former director of the clinical doctoral program at George Mason University.

Barbara A. Winstead, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Psychology Department at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She is also the former director of clinical training for the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology.