Welcome to our quick tour through Nietzel's Abnormal Psychology. Check out the higlighted features and jump to actual examples from the book.

An Integrated View of the Field

Roots of Disorders Underscoring the developmental theme that appears early in the text and recurs throughout:

Connections tabs appear in every chapter, giving you cross-references to other interesting coverage elsewhere in the text.Rather than presenting abnormal psychology's varied topics as isolated bits of information, we will help you tie them together meaningfully at every opportunity.

Diathesis-stress models are presented in carefully and consistently color-coded diagrams to show how the interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental factors can bring about disorders.

The Clinical and Research Base Each chapter opens with From the Case of ..., a dramatic case history to which the chapter text refers and to which we return at the end of the chapter in Revisiting the Case of ... Among other cases, you'll be especially interested in the stories of Nelson McGrath, whose diary provides a haunting introduction to abnormality; former Green Bay Packers defensive end Lionel Aldridge, diagnosed with schizophrenia; and serial killer Ted Bundy's antisocial personality disorder.

Specially highlighted brief case histories appear throughout each chapter, further bringing the clinical world of abnormal psychology to life.

How should mental disorders be diagnosed? Find at-a-glance summaries of the official terminology, criteria, and categories in special DSM tables.

The research base truly comes to life, as today's leading authorities in the specialty areas of abnormal psychology speak with us in A Talk with ... features within each chapter. Among others, hear the words of Lee Sechrest, on the science of abnormal psychology; Elizabeth Loftus, on repressed memory and dissociative disorders; Irving Gottesman, on schizophrenia; and David Orlinsky, on psychotherapy.

Prevention How can mental disorders be prevented? Check out each disorders chapter's Prevention feature on such topics as adolescent suicide; the FAST track approach to derailing childhood conduct disorder; promoting community health; and adolescent drinking.

Holding Your Interest and Stretching Your Thinking There is a special section in each chapter on a Controversy that is capturing current scholarly, popular, or clinical attention. A set of Thinking Critically questions at the end of each Controversy will deepen your understanding of the material. Among the Controversies are: What are the implications of genetic causes of abnormality? Are diagnoses gender biased? Is Ritalin a safe treatment for hyperactivity? Can violence be socially inherited?

Masterful Teaching and Effective Learning

in the Textbook...

Chapter Outlines help you preview and organize the material.

In Review at the end of most major sections, brief reviews provide you with summaries that help you along the way.

Chapter Summaries provide a paragraph of review for each of the chapter's main sections. You'll see the main headings from the chapter outline repeated here, for effective review and "chunking" of the material.

Key Terms All of the chapter's boldfaced glossary terms are gathered at the end of the chapter for you to test your recall of the chapter's terminology. If you're having trouble with a term, check the page reference provided.