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A psychological approach to abnormal behavior (2nd ed.)
BOOK REVIEWS
147
a wealth of valuable material, conveniently assembled together in one place. But, like many Proceedings, it suffers from a lack of integration and overview. The editors should have contributed more. DE RIENCOURT, AMAURY,Sex andPower in History. New York: McKay, 1974. x + 469 Pp. $12.75. In spite of the unrepentant antifeminist view which this book presents, the author---a highly sophisticated and knowledgeable French writer---gives much interesting historical data regarding the evolution of male and female roles. His observations of sex roles and power in ancient cultures, such as Greece, Rome, and early Christian, as well as Indian and Chinese societies, give the reader a broad view of how masculine and feminine values and behaviors were initiated and perpetuated. The discriminating reader should be aware that de Riencourt is very conservative in his viewpoint and sees the evolution of male and female roles from a masculine elitist stance. He shows no understanding of the feminist movement and makes biased and strange interpretations and prophesies which are, in many instances, almost Freudian. For example, he writes that the liberation drive toward a decrease in sexual differentiation implies a "social and cultural death wish." A rebuttal to his fallacious thinking would be easy to prepare. Nevertheless, the book is well worth reading because of the rich fund of historical information that it contains. His canvas is rich, almost panoramic, and could provide much " m e a t y " background information for those who are interested in sex differences. ULLMANN, LEONARD P., & KRASNER,LEONARD,A Psychological Approach to Abnormal Behavior (2nd ed.) Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1975, xx + 776 Pp. $13.95. This second edition updates the well-known 1969 volume to reflect new information and changes in both public and professional interests. It is surprising how far-reaching these changes are--and all in some 5 years: One trend seems to be toward the extension of what is considered as normal to include a whole new range of subject areas. Homosexuality, abortion, use of marijuana, and pornography are very much cases in point. The good features of the first edition are retained. The book is still behaviorally and social learning theory oriented, and the emphasis is still upon people and problems rather than traditional labels and abstractions. Consistent with the title of the book, medical therapies are deemphasized, as are biochemical and metabolic explanations. Thus, the authors write of the "sociopsychological approach to the behavior called schizophrenia" with virtually no mention of classification, genetics, biology, or treatment modalities currently employed in most psychiatric facilities. This book is intended primarily for the undergraduate experiencing his or her first course in abnormal psychology. It is a very good book as far as it goes, but that--in my opinion--is not far enough. The student should be encouraged to read other key texts and background material to ensure a balanced presentation. SUINN, RICHARDM., Fundamentals ofBehaviorPathology (2nded.). New York: Wiley, 1975, 595 Pp. $12.95. This, too, is a second edition of an undergraduate text in abnormal psychology which first appeared some 5 years ago. It is a much more balanced, and traditional text than the Ullmann and Krasner volume, and therein lies both its strength and its weakness. Part I traces historical influences and orients the student towards current views about "psychopathology" rather than abnormal behavior. Part II continues in this genre, with its multifaceted discussion of
147
a wealth of valuable material, conveniently assembled together in one place. But, like many Proceedings, it suffers from a lack of integration and overview. The editors should have contributed more. DE RIENCOURT, AMAURY,Sex andPower in History. New York: McKay, 1974. x + 469 Pp. $12.75. In spite of the unrepentant antifeminist view which this book presents, the author---a highly sophisticated and knowledgeable French writer---gives much interesting historical data regarding the evolution of male and female roles. His observations of sex roles and power in ancient cultures, such as Greece, Rome, and early Christian, as well as Indian and Chinese societies, give the reader a broad view of how masculine and feminine values and behaviors were initiated and perpetuated. The discriminating reader should be aware that de Riencourt is very conservative in his viewpoint and sees the evolution of male and female roles from a masculine elitist stance. He shows no understanding of the feminist movement and makes biased and strange interpretations and prophesies which are, in many instances, almost Freudian. For example, he writes that the liberation drive toward a decrease in sexual differentiation implies a "social and cultural death wish." A rebuttal to his fallacious thinking would be easy to prepare. Nevertheless, the book is well worth reading because of the rich fund of historical information that it contains. His canvas is rich, almost panoramic, and could provide much " m e a t y " background information for those who are interested in sex differences. ULLMANN, LEONARD P., & KRASNER,LEONARD,A Psychological Approach to Abnormal Behavior (2nd ed.) Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1975, xx + 776 Pp. $13.95. This second edition updates the well-known 1969 volume to reflect new information and changes in both public and professional interests. It is surprising how far-reaching these changes are--and all in some 5 years: One trend seems to be toward the extension of what is considered as normal to include a whole new range of subject areas. Homosexuality, abortion, use of marijuana, and pornography are very much cases in point. The good features of the first edition are retained. The book is still behaviorally and social learning theory oriented, and the emphasis is still upon people and problems rather than traditional labels and abstractions. Consistent with the title of the book, medical therapies are deemphasized, as are biochemical and metabolic explanations. Thus, the authors write of the "sociopsychological approach to the behavior called schizophrenia" with virtually no mention of classification, genetics, biology, or treatment modalities currently employed in most psychiatric facilities. This book is intended primarily for the undergraduate experiencing his or her first course in abnormal psychology. It is a very good book as far as it goes, but that--in my opinion--is not far enough. The student should be encouraged to read other key texts and background material to ensure a balanced presentation. SUINN, RICHARDM., Fundamentals ofBehaviorPathology (2nded.). New York: Wiley, 1975, 595 Pp. $12.95. This, too, is a second edition of an undergraduate text in abnormal psychology which first appeared some 5 years ago. It is a much more balanced, and traditional text than the Ullmann and Krasner volume, and therein lies both its strength and its weakness. Part I traces historical influences and orients the student towards current views about "psychopathology" rather than abnormal behavior. Part II continues in this genre, with its multifaceted discussion of