It was the spring of 1981. Over the previous eight months, the Philadelphia Phillies had won the World Series, and the Eagles, Sixers, and Flyers had made it to the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and Stanley Cup Finals, respectively. I had two adorable children aged 5 and 3. I had been granted tenure at Princeton. My life was full—
Then, Linda Chaput, at that time an editor at W. H. Freeman and Company and Worth Publishers, walked into my office. During a lively discussion, she and I discovered that we had similar ideas about how abnormal psychology should be presented in a textbook. By the time Linda departed 2 hours later, we had outlined the principles that should underlie the “ideal” abnormal psychology textbook. We had, in effect, a deal. All that was left was for me to write the book. A decade later, the first edition of Abnormal Psychology (“the BOOK,” as my family and I had come to call it) was published.
As I look back to that fateful day in 1981, I cannot help but note that several things have changed. With a few exceptions, my Philadelphia sports teams have returned to form and struggled year in, year out. My sons have become accomplished middle-
At the same time, several wonderful things remain the same. I am still at Princeton University. I am still married to the same near-
My textbook journey has been a labor of love, but I also must admit that each edition requires enormous effort, ridiculous pressure, and too many sleepless nights to count. I mention these labors not only because I am a world-
With this in mind, I have added an enormous amount of new material and many exciting new features for this edition of Abnormal Psychology—while at the same time retaining the successful themes, material, and techniques that have been embraced enthusiastically by past readers. The result is, I believe, a book that will excite readers and speak to them and their times. I have again tried to convey my passion for the field of abnormal psychology, and I have built on the generous feedback of my colleagues in this undertaking—
In line with the many changes that have occurred over the past several years in the fields of abnormal psychology, education, and publishing, and in the world, I have brought the following new features and changes to the current edition.
•NEW• DSM-
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DSM-
•NEW• REORGANIZATION OF TWO KEY CHAPTERSTwo chapters in this new edition of Abnormal Psychology have been restructured, partly to be consistent with certain DSM-
•NEW• TECHNOLOGY AND THE MINDTECH FEATUREThe breathtaking rate of technological change that characterizes today’s world has had significant effects on the mental health field. In this edition I cover this impact extensively in many discussions in the book’s narrative, boxes, photographs, and figures. The book examines, for example, how the Internet, texting, and social networks have become convenient tools for those who wish to bully others or pursue pedophilic desires (pages 565–
I have added a new feature throughout the book called MindTech—sections in each chapter that give special attention to particularly provocative technological trends in engaging and enlightening ways. The MindTech features examine the following cutting-
Mental Health Apps Explode in the Marketplace (page 24)
A Researcher’s Paradise? (page 35)
Have Your Avatar Call My Avatar (page 84)
Psychology’s Wiki Leaks? (page 103)
Social Media Jitters (page 155)
Virtual Reality Therapy: Better than the Real Thing? (page 193)
Texting: A Relationship Buster? (page 230)
Mood Tracking (page 260)
Crisis Texting (page 310)
Can Social Media Spread “Mass Hysteria”? (page 323)
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Dark Sites of the Internet (page 361)
Neknomination Goes Viral (page 388)
“Sexting”: Healthy or Pathological? (page 446)
Can Computers Develop Schizophrenia? (page 481)
Putting a Face on Auditory Hallucinations (page 506)
Selfies: Narcissistic or Not? (page 546)
Parent Anxiety on the Rise (page 571)
Remember to Tweet: Tweet to Remember (page 616)
New Ethics for a Digital Age (page 661)
•NEW• INFOCENTRALS:It is impossible to surf the Internet, watch TV, or flip through a magazine without coming across infographics, those graphic representations that present complex data in quick, stimulating, and visually appealing ways. Infographics present information in a way that allows us to easily recognize trends and patterns and make connections between related concepts. With the development of new digital tools over the past decade, the popularity of infographics has exploded. Readers and viewers like them and learn from them.
Thus Abnormal Psychology, Ninth Edition, introduces a new feature called Info-
Every chapter features a full-
Inside DSM-
Happiness (page 21)
Research Pitfalls (page 45)
Drug Approval (page 61)
Common Factors in Therapy (page 124)
Mindfulness (page 140)
Sexual Assault (page 186)
Sadness (page 249)
Dietary Supplements: An Alternative Treatment (page 264)
The Right to Commit Suicide (page 308)
Sleep and Sleep Disorders (page 334)
Body Dissatisfaction (page 357)
Smoking, Tobacco, and Nicotine (page 394)
Sex Throughout the Life Cycle (page 427)
Hallucinations (page 473)
Institutions for Psychological Care (page 498)
Lying (page 557)
Child and Adolescent Bullying (page 566)
The Aging Population (page 613)
Personal and Professional Issues (page 665)
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•NEW• ADDITIONAL “CUTTING EDGE” BOXESI have grouped the book’s other boxes into two categories: PsychWatch boxes examine text topics in more depth, emphasize the effect of culture on mental disorders and treatment, and explore examples of abnormal psychology in movies, the news, and the real world. MediaSpeak boxes offer provocative pieces by news, magazine, and Web writers and bloggers on current issues in abnormal psychology. In addition to updating the PsychWatch and MediaSpeak boxes that have been retained from the previous edition, I have added many new ones. For example, new MediaSpeak boxes include the following:
Immigration and the Mentally Ill in the 21st Century (Chapter 1)
Flawed Study, Gigantic Impact (Chapter 2)
Saving Minds Along with Souls (Chapter 3)
The Fear Business (Chapter 5)
When Doctors Discriminate (Chapter 10)
Putting Delusions to Use (Chapter 14)
•NEW• CLINICAL CHOICES INTERACTIVE CASE STUDIESThis ninth edition of Abnormal Psychology includes 11 new interactive case studies (one for each of the disorders chapters), available online through LaunchPad, our online course-
•NEW• ADDITIONAL AND EXPANDED TEXT SECTIONSOver the past few years, a number of topics in abnormal psychology have received special attention. In this edition, I have provided new sections on such topics, including the psychology of mass killings (page 534); the impact of the Affordable Care Act (pages 22, 659); the growing role of IRBs (pages 49–
•NEW• NEW CASE MATERIALOne of the hallmarks of my textbooks is the inclusion of numerous and culturally diverse clinical examples that bring theoretical and clinical issues to life. In my continuing quest for relevance to the reader and to today’s world, I have replaced or revised more than one-
•NEW• CRITICAL THOUGHT QUESTIONSThe “critical thought questions” were a very stimulating feature of my previous edition of Abnormal Psychology. These questions pop up within the text narrative, asking students to pause at precisely the right moment and think critically about the material they have just read. Given the enthusiastic response to this feature by professors and readers alike, I have added many new critical thought questions throughout the textbook, including in every MindTech and MediaSpeak feature.
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•NEW• “BETWEEN THE LINES”The textbook not only retains but expands a fun and thought-
•NEW• THOROUGH UPDATEIn this edition I present the most current theories, research, and events, including more than 2,000 new references from the years 2012–
•EXPANDED COVERAGE• PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTIONIn accord with the clinical field’s growing emphasis on prevention, positive psychology, and psychological wellness, I have increased significantly the textbook’s attention to these important approaches (for example, pages 19–
•EXPANDED COVERAGE• MULTICULTURAL ISSUESOver the past 30 years, clinical theorists and researchers increasingly have become interested in ethnic, racial, gender, and other cultural factors, and my previous editions of Abnormal Psychology certainly have included these important factors. In the twenty-
•EXPANDED COVERAGE• “NEW WAVE” COGNITIVE AND COGNITIVE-
•EXPANDED COVERAGE• NEUROSCIENCEThe twenty-
As I noted earlier, in this edition I have also retained the themes, material, and techniques that have worked successfully and been embraced enthusiastically by past readers.
BREADTH AND BALANCEThe field’s many theories, studies, disorders, and treatments are presented completely and accurately. All major models—
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INTEGRATION OF MODELSDiscussions throughout the text, particularly those headed “Putting It Together,” help students better understand where and how the various models work together and how they differ.
EMPATHYThe subject of abnormal psychology is people—
INTEGRATED COVERAGE OF TREATMENTDiscussions of treatment are presented throughout the book. In addition to a complete overview of treatment in the opening chapters, each of the pathology chapters includes a full discussion of relevant treatment approaches.
RICH CASE MATERIALAs I mentioned earlier, the textbook features hundreds of culturally diverse clinical examples to bring theoretical and clinical issues to life. More than 25 percent of the clinical material in this edition is new or revised significantly.
MARGIN GLOSSARYHundreds of key words are defined in the margins of pages on which the words appear. In addition, a traditional glossary is available at the back of the book.
“PUTTING IT TOGETHER”A section toward the end of each chapter, “Putting It Together,” asks whether competing models can work together in a more integrated approach and also summarizes where the field now stands and where it may be going.
FOCUS ON CRITICAL THINKINGThe textbook provides tools for thinking critically about abnormal psychology. As I mentioned earlier, in this edition, “critical thought” questions appear at carefully selected locations within the text discussions. The questions ask readers to stop and think critically about the material they have just read.
STRIKING PHOTOS AND STIMULATING ILLUSTRATIONSConcepts, disorders, treatments, and applications are brought to life for the reader with stunning photographs, diagrams, graphs, and anatomical figures. All of the figures, graphs, and tables, many new to this edition, reflect the most up-
ADAPTABILITYChapters are self-
SupplementsI have been delighted by the enthusiastic responses of both professors and students to the supplements that accompany my textbooks. This edition offers those supplements once again, revised and enhanced, and adds a number of exciting new ones.
WORTH VIDEO COLLECTION FOR ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGYProduced and edited by Ronald J. Comer, Princeton University, and Gregory Comer, Princeton Academic Resources. Faculty Guide included. This incomparable video series offers 132 clips that depict disorders, show historical footage, and illustrate clinical topics, pathologies, treatments, experiments, and dilemmas. Videos are available in LaunchPad and on the Video Collection for Abnormal Psychology flash drive. I also have written an accompanying guide that fully describes and discusses each video clip, so that professors can make informed decisions about the use of the segments in lectures.
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INSTRUCTOR’S RESOURCE MANUALby Danielle Gunraj, SUNY Binghamton. This comprehensive guide ties together the ancillary package for professors and teaching assistants. The manual includes detailed chapter outlines, lists of principal learning objectives, ideas for lectures, discussion launchers, classroom activities, extra credit projects, and DSM criteria for each of the disorders discussed in the text. It also offers strategies for using the accompanying media, including the video collection. Finally, it includes a comprehensive set of valuable materials that can be obtained from outside sources—
Lecture Slides available at: http:/
Illustration Slides available at http:/
Chapter Figures, Photos and Tables available at http:/
TEST BANKby Julie Gurner. A comprehensive Test Bank offers more than 2,200 multiple-
DIPLOMA ONLINE COMPUTERIZED TEST BANKAvailable for both Windows and Macintosh, at http:/
CASE STUDIES IN ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY, SECOND EDITIONby Ethan E. Gorenstein, Behavioral Medicine Program, New York–
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LAUNCHPAD WITH LEARNINGCURVE QUIZZING—
A comprehensive Web resource for teaching and learning psychology, LaunchPad combines Worth Publishers’ award-
LaunchPad to Accompany Abnormal Psychology, Ninth Edition, can be previewed at www.launchpadworks.com. Abnormal Psychology, Ninth Edition, and LaunchPad can be ordered together with:
ISBN-
ISBN-
LaunchPad for Abnormal Psychology, Ninth Edition, includes the following resources:
The LearningCurve quizzing system was designed based on the latest findings from learning and memory research. It combines adaptive question selection, immediate and valuable feedback, and a game-
An interactive e-
Clinical Choices, authored by Taryn Myers, Virginia Wesleyan College. In these 11 interactive case studies in LaunchPad, students simulate the role of clinical psychologist, engaging with virtual clients to identify psychological disorders (based on DSM-
Abnormal Psychology Video Activities, produced and edited by Ronald J. Comer, Princeton University, and Gregory Comer, Princeton Academic Resources. These intriguing video cases run 3 to 7 minutes each and focus on people affected by disorders discussed in the text. Students first view a video case and then answer a series of thought-
Deep integration is available between LaunchPad products and Blackboard, Brightspace by Desire2Learn, Canvas, and Moodle. These deep integrations offer educators single sign-
COURSE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS: SUPERIOR CONTENT, ALL IN ONE PLACEAvailable for WebCT, Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Moodle, Sakai, and Angel, at http:/
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I am very grateful to the many people who have contributed to writing and producing this book. I particularly thank Marlene Comer for her usual outstanding work on the manuscript. In addition, I am indebted to Marlene Glissmann for her fast, furious, and fantastic work on the references. And I sincerely appreciate the superb work of the book’s assistants—
I am indebted greatly to those outstanding academicians and clinicians who have provided feedback on this new edition of Abnormal Psychology, along with that of its partner, Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, and have commented with great insight and wisdom on its clarity, accuracy, and completeness. Their collective knowledge has in large part shaped the current edition: David Alfano, Community College of Rhode Island; Jeffrey Armstrong, Northampton Community College; Wendy Bartkus, Albright College; Jennifer Bennett, University of New Mexico; Christine Browning, Victory University; Megan Davies, NOVA, Woodbridge Campus; Pernella Deams, Grambling State University; Frederick Ernst, University of Texas, Pan American; Jessica Goodwin Jolly, Gloucester County College; Abby Hill, Trinity International University; Tony Hoffman, University of California, Santa Cruz; Craig Knapp, College of St. Joseph; Sally Kuhlenschmidt, Western Kentucky University; Paul Lewis, Bethel College; Gregory Mallis, University of Indianapolis; Taryn Myers, Virginia Wesleyan College; Edward O’Brien, Marywood University; Mary Pelton-
Earlier I also received valuable feedback from academicians and clinicians who reviewed portions of the previous editions of Abnormal Psychology and Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology. Certainly their collective knowledge has also helped shape this new edition, and I gratefully acknowledge their important contributions: Christopher Adams, Fitchburg State University; Dave W. Alfano, Community College of Rhode Island; Alisa Aston, University of North Florida; Kent G. Bailey, Virginia Commonwealth University; Stephanie Baralecki, Chestnut Hill College; Sonja Barcus, Rochester College; Marna S. Barnett, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Jillian Bennett, University of Massachusetts Boston; Otto A. Berliner, Alfred State College; Allan Berman, University of Rhode Island; Douglas Bernstein, University of Toronto, Mississauga; Sarah Bing, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Greg Bolich, Cleveland Community College; Stephen Brasel, Moody Bible Institute; Conrad Brombach, Christian Brothers University; Barbara Brown, Georgia Perimeter College; Jeffrey A. Buchanan, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Gregory M. Buchanan, Beloit College; Laura Burlingame-
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I would also like to thank a group of talented professors who provided valuable feedback that shaped the development of our new, exciting interactive case studies, Clinical Choices, in this new edition: David Berg, Community College of Philadelphia; Christopher J. Dyszelski, Madison Area Technical College; Paul Deal, Missouri State University; Urminda Firlan, Kalamazoo Valley Community College; Julie Hanauer, Suffolk County Community College; Sally Kuhlenschmidt, Western Kentucky University; Erica Musser, Florida International University; Garth Neufeld, Highline Community College; and Jeremy Pettit, Florida International University.
A special thank you to the authors of the book’s supplements package for doing splendid jobs with their respective supplements: Julie Gurner (Test Bank); Danielle Gunraj, SUNY Binghamton (Instructor’s Resource Manual); Taryn Myers, Virginia Wesleyan College (Clinical Choices); Mallory Malkin, Mississippi University for Women (Research Exercises); Jennifer Bennett, University of New Mexico (Chapter Quizzes); Ann Brandt-
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I also extend my deep appreciation to the core team of professionals at Worth Publishers and W. H. Freeman and Company who have worked so closely with me to produce this edition and many previous editions. The book’s development editor, Mimi Melek, to whom I have dedicated this book, is simply the hardest-
I also am indebted to Kevin Feyen, vice president, digital product development, and Catherine Woods, vice president, editing, design, and media production, who have been involved with my books for many years. Still other professionals at Worth and at Freeman to whom I am indebted are Lisa Kinne, managing editor; Todd Elder, director of advertising; Kimberly Morgan, editorial assistant; Katherine Garrett, assistant editor; Melissa Rostek, editorial intern; Hilary Newman, director of rights and permissions; Melissa Pellerano and Felicia Ruocco, permissions editors; Anna Paganelli, copy editor; Ellen Brennan and Marlene Glissmann, indexers; and John Philp, for his outstanding work on the video supplements for professors and students. Not to be overlooked are the superb professionals at Worth and at Freeman who continuously work with great passion, skill, and judgment to bring my books to the attention of professors across the world: Kate Nurre, executive marketing manager; Lindsay Johnson, senior marketing manager; Allison Greco, marketing assistant; Craig Bleyer, national sales manager; and the company’s wonderful sales representatives. Thank you so much.
One final note. As I mentioned in the prefaces of the past few editions, with each passing year I have become increasingly aware of just how fortunate I am. So, once again, at the risk of sounding like a walking cliché, let me say with a clarity that at the age of 67 is sharper and better informed than at earlier points in my life, how appreciative I am that I have the opportunity each day to work with so many interesting and stimulating students during this important and exciting stage of their lives. Similarly, I am grateful beyond words for my extraordinary family, particularly my wonderful sons, Greg and Jon; my fantastic daughters-
Ron Comer
Princeton University
January 2015