Textbook of Abnormal Psychology
REVIEWS :Author: Roy M. Dorcus and G. Wilson Shaffer. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins Co., 1934. xiii 4- 389 pp.
The present volume stands in marked contrast to the general run of writings in the abnormal field with their pet biases, their distortion of facts to fit theories, their failure to take cognizance of recent findings, or their elementary treatment. The present authors have produced a work which for its understanding demands at least an elementary knowledge of both general and abnormal psychology, a book which represents for the mature student an integration of the more recent advances, and one which definitely will not find its way to the general public.
The text falls naturally into six general subdivisions. There is first given a definition of the field, including a general orientation. A discussion of sensory and motor disturbances is followed by a presentation of theories of association mechanisms, including dissociation, redintegration, conditioned reflex, etc. The problem of brain localization is here briefly treated. Following this is a consideration of the affective aspects of behavior and then a discussion of sleep, dreams and hypnosis. The text then turns to the mental disorders, taking up the organic conditions, the functional disorders and finally the psychoneuroses. A chapter on mental deficiency follows and the text concludes with a presentation of the methods of psychotherapy. The orientation of the authors is well balanced, definitely psychological, and with a lack of bias unusual in so controversial a field. A significant departure is seen in the stress placed upon the previous psychological makeup as determinant of the particular symptoms and manifestations of even those disorders classified as organic.
Despite the general superiority of the book, certain changes are to be desired. The approach of the early part of the text logically demands that the disorders be treated in the order: psychoneuroses, functional and finally organic conditions. The reversal of this order has grossly disrupted the continuity of the development. Again, certain disorders have been too briefly treated while others of importance in clinical practice have been ignored. Of the latter, the post encephalitic conditions stand as a glaring omission. Stricter attention should also be given to the organization of particular topics since the constantly occurring “asides” disturb the progress of the presentation. Again, many will feel that too great emphasis has been placed upon the intelligence quotient as the determiner of amentia.
The character of the treatment, is, however, excellent, particularly because there has been no attempt to produce a work attractive to the tyro or the Psychological dilettante. Of fine quality are the discussions of sensory and motor disturbances, including a comprehensive presentation of speech disorders. Hypnosis, too, is treated in the light of recent developments with none of the quasi-mystery inherited from the early workers. Outstanding as an addition to psychological texts is the chapter on psychotherapy not as a comprehensive discussion of each method, which it does not pretend to give? but in that it presents an organization of the major methods available for psychological treatment, as contrasted with the customary vague references to equally vague procedures.
The text clearly shows its genesis in the clinical experience of the authors rather than in class room discussions and will appeal to those who themselves have the necessary technical background to supply for students much which is presumed on the part of the writers. It represents an important contribution to the slowly growing literature being created by psychologists relative to the abnormal field. Thomas J. Snee
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