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Abnormal Child Psychology: A Developmental Perspective
Author(s): Linda Wilmshurst (Author)
- Publisher: Routledge
- Publication Date: 29 Aug. 2008
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 668 pages
- ISBN-10: 0415953634
- ISBN-13: 9780415953634
Book Description
Abnormal Child Psychology: A Developmental Perspective is intended for undergraduate and Masters-level students enrolled in courses in Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology. Written from a developmental perspective, the book is organized around five prominent and recurring themes: the course of normal development proceeds in an orderly and predictable direction; maladaptive behaviors represent deviations from the normal path; maladaptive behavior is represented by a continuum of severity (symptoms, syndromes, disorders) based on the degree to which behaviors deviate from the norm; individual, interpersonal, contextual and cultural factors interact in a reciprocal way to influence normal development and abnormal deviations; theoretical input from diverse perspectives can guide our understanding of underlying processes that precipitate and maintain behaviors and the different developmental pathways that might result.
The text provides students with a learning model which incorporates three essential cornerstones, which are pivotal to understanding child and adolescent psychopathology: the K3 paradigm that consists of knowledge of developmental expectations, knowledge of the sources of influence, and knowledge of the theoretical models. Each chapter opens with a case illustration to highlight the themes of the material that follows. The chapters conclude with a Summary Review, Glossary of New Terms and a Set of Review Questions.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“I would recommend this book for publication. I would use a book like this for a child psychopathology or a developmental psychopathology course at the advance undergraduate or introductory graduate level. I would be more likely, however, to use it as a supplemental text for the child psychopathology class.” – Carlos F. Pozzi, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Wheaton College, USA
“Linda Wilmhurst has uniquely presented the information of abnormal behavior in child and adolescents in a refreshing way. Although the material can be found in many different places, Wilmhurst has integrated the material so that students can understand the complexity of the field and that there are many facets of the issues that must be explored when explaining abnormal development in children and adolescents….This work clearly relates the material in the field by gathering salient concepts and information and presenting it within a developmental contextual frame so that a novice could process the information easier. I think this book would compete most closely with the text by Mash and Wolfe 3rd Ed. But I think Wilmhurst’s approach is significantly more integrated and more understandable for a student who is unfamiliar with the theoretical and developmental context of psychopathology…The K3 paradigm is an excellent pedagogical tool to facilitate content integration…I strongly recommend this book for publication.” – Suzanne Morin,Associate Professor of Psychology, Shippensburg University, USA
“This text is particularly appealing in its presentation of developmental problems on a continuum, that is, distinguishing ‘normal’ variations of development from mild impairment from more severe impairment…its unique contribution is in the presentation of case examples along the continuum of normal to abnormal…an excellent tool in helping students understand the broader context of children’s behavioral disorders and in helping students distinguish garden variety behavior problems from more severe disorders.” – Elizabeth Soliday,Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Washington State University at Vancouver, Canada
The text was also reviewed by Carrie Scherzer and David Boulifard. Both agreed that the book would be improved by organizational changes, particularly an earlier inclusion of materials on ethnic and cultural diversity. Wilmhurst has responded positively to reviews and has agreed to make several changes following their suggestions.
“Abnormal child psychology can be quite confusing, even inchoate, for the newcomer. Yet, Wilmshurst presents introductions to the various facets of the field that are clear and concise. Instructors will find this a useful volume offering many issues for discussion, while students will find it a pleasant read and can easily go beyond the material presented by consulting the abundant references provided.”
– Byron P. Rourke, PhD, LLD, C Psych, ABPP-CN, FRSC, University of Windsor, Yale University School of Medicine
“The textbook addresses a need in the area of child psychopathology. Its focus on the real world application of diagnostic criteria separates it from other texts in the field. This is a valuable textbook for any student intending to go into an applied psychological field that deals with children and families.”
– Dan Florell, PhD, NCSP, assistant professor at Eastern Kentucky University
“In this concise and engaging work, Wilmshurst provides a thorough review of psychopathological disorders of childhood and adolescence. It is required reading for anyone (e.g. future clinical or school practitioners) interested in understanding abnormal child psychology within a developmental perspective.”
– Alan W. Brue, PhD, NCSP, faculty member with Capella University, practicing school psychologist and co-author of A Parent’s Guide to Special Education
About the Author
Linda Wilmshurst, Ph.D., ABPP, is professor of Child and Adolescent Psychology at Elon University. Previously she has held academic positions in the psychology departments at Texas Women’s University, University of Houston, Victoria and the University of Western Ontario. Linda is a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology, and is a licensed clinical and school psychologist.
