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A psychological approach to abnormal behavior: Second edition
102
BOOK REVIEWS
special education, and other relevant social and behavioral sciences. In addition, they state that the book is appropriate for practitioners in fields who have had little or no formal exposure to behavioral concepts. The authors imply that behavior modification can be learned by self education. For example, they state with regard to the questions about the clinical cases described in the book that the purpose of these questions is to determine how much students comprehend about the subject matter and their ability to apply behavioral conepts to practical situations. One cannot, repeat cannor, determine ability to apply behavioral concepts to practical or clinical situations by verbal questions. Further, one cannot become a competent behavior therapist by reading a book or participating in a 2-day, 3-day, 2-week. 3-week workshop. To become a behavior therapist requires a thorough, didactic education in psychology or medicine and at least a year of supervised clinical experience under the direction of competent behavior therapists. It is time to stop encouraging individuals with little or no academic or clinical training to practice their questionable skills on the public. This book covers operant conditioning with brief excursions into behavioral assessment, modeling, systematic desensitization, covert sensitization and a
passing mention of biofeedback. These topics are discussed in terms of abnormal behavior in humans. As with some other books with an operant orientation, there are a number of gimmicks. There are eight case vignettes of approximately one page each, a pre-test before each chapter, a post-test on the material covered, and approximately four or five pages of substantive information in each chapter. Unfortunately, the authors do not make clear whether the reader is supposed to read thevignettes before starting the chapters. In spite of detailedinstruction on how to use the gimmicks, the typical reader is going to be confused, annoyed, or bored by them. In essence, this book is a cursory overview of some of the concepts of behavior modification with an emphasis on operant conditioning. Less than 50% of its 283 pages is devoted to substantive information. For the individual who wants an introduction to behavior modification there are several other books that do not promise the reader that he will become a behavior therapist nor waste expensive page space on gimmicks. HENRYE. ADAMS Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
A Psychological Approach to Abnormal Behavior: Second Edition
By LEONARDP. ULLMANNand LEONARD KRMNZR Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., $13.95 The second edition of A Psychological Approach IO Abnormal Behavior by Ullmann and Kramer is based on the classic 1969 volume criticizing the medical model of psychological disorders and systematically describing the operant conception of the etiology and modification of these disorders. The basic message is the same, though embellished with more recent evidence and examples from more current public issues. Two new chapters have been added, one dealing with “changeworthy” behaviors not found in the official psychiatric nosology, and one focussing on “prosocial” behaviors within a learning theory framework. Although more up-to-date citations are included as supporting material, the fundamental value of the book remains in its cogent arguments against the medical model. The futility of attempting to detine “abnormality” in any absolute sense is clearly demonstrated, as is the potential of concepts from learning theory for hypothesizing about the etiology of various behaviors. In this edition the authors carefully note, “It does not necessarily follow, either logically or empirically, that because a procedure is effective in rectifying a situation, it indicates the etiology of that situation” (p. 51). In the chapter on prosocial behavior, the authors include discussions of such socially-valuable conduct as
altruism, self-control and morality. Although these areas are discussed in an appropriately dispassionate manner, the section of “Women’s Lib” is handled less well. It is so riddled with unnecessary, or at least debatable, qualifications that it tends to undercut its billing as a type of “creative deviance”. For example, “. . . expected docile behaviors are replaced by active, assertive, and, at times aggressive ones. This may be in talking up at meetings, even though the issue introduced may seem very tangential to the points being discussed” (p. 600). To attempt to summarize and analyze such a complex social phenomenon, in such a short space, seems overly ambitious, and the reliance on rhetorical material and personal opinion in the absence of good data detracts from the comparative conceptual tightness of the rest of the book. Either this section should be omitted, or some way to filter out the author’s biases is needed. On the other hand, the authors deserve some reinforcement for their substitution of the term “orgasmic dysfunction” in place of the first edition’s “frigidity” in the chapter on sexual behavior. We are not convinced that Ullmann and Krasner should treat this work as a text, with periodic updating. The book stands as a revolutionary milestone in the history of behavior modification and behavior therapy.
103
BOOK REVIEWS In 1975 no amount of concentration on current social issues can override our sense that A Psychological Approach to Abnormal Behavior is dated. Behavior therapists have by now gone far beyond the oriqinal argument against the medical model. In the absence of definition of abnormality apart from “deviance that calls for and sanctions professional attention”, how can behavior therapists make decisions to treat individuals or not? How can comparison groups in research be selected? The question of symptom substitution is no longer raised: rather, we are grappling with real issues of generalization and maintenance of therapeutic gains.
Writing
Behavioral
The weaknesses of DSM-II are well-known; at this point the search is for a nosology that will clearly indicate a therapeutic course of action. While the reified notion of personality has been dropped, we need better measures of “person variables”. In short, a truly updated text in behavioral approaches to clinical psychology would concentrate less on rejecting the traditional framework and more on practical answers to current questions. RUTH E. CUFFORD Dept. of Psychology, Temple University, L. MICHAEL Ascnlzn Dept. of Psychiatry, Temple University
Contracts: A Case Simulation Practice Manual
By WILLIAMJ. DERISIand GEORGEBun Research Press, Champaign, Ill The writing of behavioral contracts is a useful technique for counselors-perhaps the most useful technique available to them. It is a method for designing and implementing behavior management procedures for clients who are not under the direct observations of the therapist-a common state of affairs. This book shows how to use behavioral contracts in helping to improve the behavior of juvenile delinquents, chronic schizophrenics, suicidal patients, and married couples. The methods it promotes have been applied to behaviors connected with vandalism, truancy, school work, interactions with authorities, taking of medication, assaults, tantrums, household responsibilities, and sexual activity. Writing behavioral contracts entails a clear spccifkation of the behavior to be changed, the rewards and punishers to be made contingent upon that behavior, who is to be responsible for delivering those consequences and for recording the data about the behavior, the duration of the procedure, and the frequency with which the contract will be reviewed by the therapist. A further essential requirement is to put all these specifications in writing. The final formulation often involves negotiations between the interested parties mediated by the theradst. Preparing a behavioral contract is an excellent proce&re for facilitating communication within families, for laying the cards out on the table, for indicating future expecta-
tions and responsibilities. It is often a means to constructive family interactions. This book has clearly been written by people experienced in the use of such contracts-people aware that contracting is never simple-that it often becomes necessary to recycle, back up and start all over again. DeRisis and Butz prepare their readers for such realworld problems by giving them simulated case studiesshowing that the method often fails the first time, even the second, and that troubleshooting is of benefit to all involved in contracting procedures. They even include a Troubleshooting Guide. However perhaps it is now time to begin empirical studies on the efficacy of such books as this. For instance, who can fiectively write behavioral contracts after having read the book? What entering skills and what back-up support are needed? Whatever the court of empiricism may decide, I strongly recommend Writing Behavioral Contracts for anyone wanting a realistic and pleasantly written introduction to these methods. RICXARD W. MALQJT Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
BOOK REVIEWS
special education, and other relevant social and behavioral sciences. In addition, they state that the book is appropriate for practitioners in fields who have had little or no formal exposure to behavioral concepts. The authors imply that behavior modification can be learned by self education. For example, they state with regard to the questions about the clinical cases described in the book that the purpose of these questions is to determine how much students comprehend about the subject matter and their ability to apply behavioral conepts to practical situations. One cannot, repeat cannor, determine ability to apply behavioral concepts to practical or clinical situations by verbal questions. Further, one cannot become a competent behavior therapist by reading a book or participating in a 2-day, 3-day, 2-week. 3-week workshop. To become a behavior therapist requires a thorough, didactic education in psychology or medicine and at least a year of supervised clinical experience under the direction of competent behavior therapists. It is time to stop encouraging individuals with little or no academic or clinical training to practice their questionable skills on the public. This book covers operant conditioning with brief excursions into behavioral assessment, modeling, systematic desensitization, covert sensitization and a
passing mention of biofeedback. These topics are discussed in terms of abnormal behavior in humans. As with some other books with an operant orientation, there are a number of gimmicks. There are eight case vignettes of approximately one page each, a pre-test before each chapter, a post-test on the material covered, and approximately four or five pages of substantive information in each chapter. Unfortunately, the authors do not make clear whether the reader is supposed to read thevignettes before starting the chapters. In spite of detailedinstruction on how to use the gimmicks, the typical reader is going to be confused, annoyed, or bored by them. In essence, this book is a cursory overview of some of the concepts of behavior modification with an emphasis on operant conditioning. Less than 50% of its 283 pages is devoted to substantive information. For the individual who wants an introduction to behavior modification there are several other books that do not promise the reader that he will become a behavior therapist nor waste expensive page space on gimmicks. HENRYE. ADAMS Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
A Psychological Approach to Abnormal Behavior: Second Edition
By LEONARDP. ULLMANNand LEONARD KRMNZR Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., $13.95 The second edition of A Psychological Approach IO Abnormal Behavior by Ullmann and Kramer is based on the classic 1969 volume criticizing the medical model of psychological disorders and systematically describing the operant conception of the etiology and modification of these disorders. The basic message is the same, though embellished with more recent evidence and examples from more current public issues. Two new chapters have been added, one dealing with “changeworthy” behaviors not found in the official psychiatric nosology, and one focussing on “prosocial” behaviors within a learning theory framework. Although more up-to-date citations are included as supporting material, the fundamental value of the book remains in its cogent arguments against the medical model. The futility of attempting to detine “abnormality” in any absolute sense is clearly demonstrated, as is the potential of concepts from learning theory for hypothesizing about the etiology of various behaviors. In this edition the authors carefully note, “It does not necessarily follow, either logically or empirically, that because a procedure is effective in rectifying a situation, it indicates the etiology of that situation” (p. 51). In the chapter on prosocial behavior, the authors include discussions of such socially-valuable conduct as
altruism, self-control and morality. Although these areas are discussed in an appropriately dispassionate manner, the section of “Women’s Lib” is handled less well. It is so riddled with unnecessary, or at least debatable, qualifications that it tends to undercut its billing as a type of “creative deviance”. For example, “. . . expected docile behaviors are replaced by active, assertive, and, at times aggressive ones. This may be in talking up at meetings, even though the issue introduced may seem very tangential to the points being discussed” (p. 600). To attempt to summarize and analyze such a complex social phenomenon, in such a short space, seems overly ambitious, and the reliance on rhetorical material and personal opinion in the absence of good data detracts from the comparative conceptual tightness of the rest of the book. Either this section should be omitted, or some way to filter out the author’s biases is needed. On the other hand, the authors deserve some reinforcement for their substitution of the term “orgasmic dysfunction” in place of the first edition’s “frigidity” in the chapter on sexual behavior. We are not convinced that Ullmann and Krasner should treat this work as a text, with periodic updating. The book stands as a revolutionary milestone in the history of behavior modification and behavior therapy.
103
BOOK REVIEWS In 1975 no amount of concentration on current social issues can override our sense that A Psychological Approach to Abnormal Behavior is dated. Behavior therapists have by now gone far beyond the oriqinal argument against the medical model. In the absence of definition of abnormality apart from “deviance that calls for and sanctions professional attention”, how can behavior therapists make decisions to treat individuals or not? How can comparison groups in research be selected? The question of symptom substitution is no longer raised: rather, we are grappling with real issues of generalization and maintenance of therapeutic gains.
Writing
Behavioral
The weaknesses of DSM-II are well-known; at this point the search is for a nosology that will clearly indicate a therapeutic course of action. While the reified notion of personality has been dropped, we need better measures of “person variables”. In short, a truly updated text in behavioral approaches to clinical psychology would concentrate less on rejecting the traditional framework and more on practical answers to current questions. RUTH E. CUFFORD Dept. of Psychology, Temple University, L. MICHAEL Ascnlzn Dept. of Psychiatry, Temple University
Contracts: A Case Simulation Practice Manual
By WILLIAMJ. DERISIand GEORGEBun Research Press, Champaign, Ill The writing of behavioral contracts is a useful technique for counselors-perhaps the most useful technique available to them. It is a method for designing and implementing behavior management procedures for clients who are not under the direct observations of the therapist-a common state of affairs. This book shows how to use behavioral contracts in helping to improve the behavior of juvenile delinquents, chronic schizophrenics, suicidal patients, and married couples. The methods it promotes have been applied to behaviors connected with vandalism, truancy, school work, interactions with authorities, taking of medication, assaults, tantrums, household responsibilities, and sexual activity. Writing behavioral contracts entails a clear spccifkation of the behavior to be changed, the rewards and punishers to be made contingent upon that behavior, who is to be responsible for delivering those consequences and for recording the data about the behavior, the duration of the procedure, and the frequency with which the contract will be reviewed by the therapist. A further essential requirement is to put all these specifications in writing. The final formulation often involves negotiations between the interested parties mediated by the theradst. Preparing a behavioral contract is an excellent proce&re for facilitating communication within families, for laying the cards out on the table, for indicating future expecta-
tions and responsibilities. It is often a means to constructive family interactions. This book has clearly been written by people experienced in the use of such contracts-people aware that contracting is never simple-that it often becomes necessary to recycle, back up and start all over again. DeRisis and Butz prepare their readers for such realworld problems by giving them simulated case studiesshowing that the method often fails the first time, even the second, and that troubleshooting is of benefit to all involved in contracting procedures. They even include a Troubleshooting Guide. However perhaps it is now time to begin empirical studies on the efficacy of such books as this. For instance, who can fiectively write behavioral contracts after having read the book? What entering skills and what back-up support are needed? Whatever the court of empiricism may decide, I strongly recommend Writing Behavioral Contracts for anyone wanting a realistic and pleasantly written introduction to these methods. RICXARD W. MALQJT Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan