Perspectives in Abnormal Behavior is a compilation of articles in the field of abnormal psychology.
An article titled the Myth of Mental Illness discusses the different signs in determining a brain disease. The second article is about the diagnoses of schizophrenia. A section of the article talks about the misconception the public have about the disease and the symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Another part of the second article defines behaviors that are perceived as deviant.
The third article in the book is addressed to the reliability of psychiatric diagnoses and covers the advantages and disadvantages of these diagnoses. The subsequent article rejects the method of psychiatric diagnoses and emphasizes the importance of using behavioral analysis in treating patients. The said article enumerates the problems in the diagnostic systems. Topic such as the methods of data collection for a functional analysis is also discussed.
The book will be a useful tool for psychologists and academic students.

PrefaceUnit I Issues in Identifying Abnormal Behavior Introduction 1 The Myth of Mental Illness 2 Schizophrenia as Ideology 3 Psychiatric Diagnosis: A Critique 4 Behavioral Analysis: An Alternative to Diagnostic Classification Suggested Additional ReadingsUnit II Perspectives in the Development of Abnormal Behavior Introduction Psychological Factors 5 Freudian Psychoanalytic Theory 6 A Phenomenological Approach to Adjustment Theory 7 A Social-Learning Explanation of Deviant Behavior 8 Family Dynamics and Origin of Schizophrenia Suggested Additional Readings Sociological Factors 9 Social Stratification and Psychiatric Disorders 10 Social Class and Schizophrenia: A Critical Review 11 Studies of Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: Etiology Suggested Additional Readings Ecological Factors 12 Population Density and Pathology: What are the Relations for Man 13 Ecological Factors in the Incidence of Schizophrenic and Manic-Depressive Psychoses Suggested Additional Readings Anthropological Factors 14 A Cross-Cultural Approach to Mental Health Problems 15 Cultural Factors in the Genesis of Schizophrenia Suggested Additional Readings Genetic and Biochemical Factors 16 Genetic Research in the Schizophrenic Syndrome 17 Human Chromosome Abnormalities as Related to Physical and Mental Dysfunction 18 The Biochemistry of Mental Disorders 19 Biochemical Hypotheses and Studies Suggested Additional ReadingsUnit III Drug Usage and Alcoholism Introduction 20 Perspectives on Drug Use 21 Marihuana and Health: Summary of Findings 22 LSD-25 Effects on Chromosomes: A Review 23 Ideological Supports to Becoming and Remaining a Heroin Addict 24 Alcoholism Suggested Additional ReadingsUNIT IV Perspectives in the Treatment of Abnormal Behavior Introduction Chemotherapy 25 Chemotherapy Suggested Additional Readings Individual Therapy Approaches 26 Freudian Psychoanalysis 27 The Psychiatric Nurse as a Behavioral Engineer 28 Basic Principles and Practices of Behavior Therapy of Neuroses 29 Phobic Patients: Treatment with the Learning Theory Approach to Implosive Therapy 30 A Theory of Therapy and Personality Change: As Developed in the Client-Centered Framework Suggested Additional Readings Group Therapy Approaches 31 The Dynamics of Group Psychotherapy and its Application 32 Preliminary Report on the Application of Contingent Reinforcement Procedures (Token Economy) on a "Chronic" Psychiatric Ward 33 The Process of the Basic Encounter Group 34 Helping Disturbed Children: Psychological and Ecological Strategies Suggested Additional Readings Therapy Approaches with Special Populations 35 Treatment of Alcoholism 36 Daytop Lodge-A New Treatment Approach for Drug Addicts 37 Geriatric Behavioral Prosthetics 38 Behavior Modification in Rehabilitation: The Rehabilitation of Special Children Suggested Additional ReadingsUnit V Perspectives in Prevention Introduction 39 Community Mental Health: The Search for Identity 40 Emergent Directions in School Mental Health 41 Superpatriot Opposition to Community Mental Health Programs Suggested Additional ReadingsUnit VI Reactions to Abnormal Behavior Introduction 42 On the Stigma of Mental Illness 43 The Societal Reaction to Deviance: Ascriptive Elements in the Psychiatric Screening of Mental Patients in a Midwestern State 44 On Being Sane in Insane Places 45 Science and Public Policy: The Crime of Involuntary Mental Hospitalization Suggested Additional ReadingsIndex