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Anxiety and neurotic disorders
668
BOOK
REVIEWS
surprising as none of his data are quantified. In contrast several authors report meticulous and painstaking analyses of the minutiae of the interviewing process. Variables such as pauses, hesitations, vocalizations, are carefully monitored during an interview or conversation. Kendon, for example, spends over 30 pages in describing a detailed linguistic and kinesic analysis of the relationship between the speech patterns and body movements of a single subject from 90 set of a film clip. Differences in aims, methodology and research quality make this volume jagged reading. It is somewhat surprising in a work on communication to note that the editors have cut out the discussion sections, thereby reducing the communicational value of the book considerably. The volume is perhaps best described as an uneven and ill-assorted collection of papers linked more by the fact that most authors were at the conference in Maryland than by any natural or obvious relationships in the presented material. As such it can be scarcely considered a worthwhile purchase. JOHN S. MARZILLIER
STUART,
R. B. and Illinois, 1972.
DAVIS,
B.: S/itn chance in a fat world (condensed
edition), Research Press Company,
THIS
small book attempts to combine behaviour modification and nutrition principles in a pocket-sized ninety-three pages. Advice is given on analysing the eating situation, limiting food intake to specified times and places, selecting a balanced diet, increasing exercise in a reasonable fashion, and charting the results. The booklet comes complete with plastic food intake charts and fibre-tip pen, and on the face of it appears to be a sensible approach to the problems of overweight. However, the scientific evidence on which the book is based, and which is alluded to in the text, is presumably contained in the heavyweight edition. This was not available to this reviewer, so fuller judgement must be suspended. WILLIAM YULE
B.
MARTIN: Anxiety
and Neurotic
Disorders.
John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1971. xiii + 160 pp. f3.25
cloth; 51.55 paper.
THIS book is one of a series of introductory texts on abnormal psychology. In some respects it fulfills the editors intention of a wide coverage of empirical research; five common diagnostic categories of neurosis are examined in terms of heredity, physiology, learning theory, cognitive defensive strategies and social learning. However, in such a short book the topics are inevitably given superficial treatment !eaving many theoretical and methodological problems untackled. An understanding of the relationship between the various chapters would have been helped by a clearer exposition of the authors conceptual framework. However, as the author admits, he has defined neurosis loosely and as a result the implications of this body of knowledge for the understanding and treatment of neurotic disorders are not clearly drawn and ad hoc theorizing (e.g. to explain the persistence of obsessive thoughts) is often appended. Apart from systematic desensitization, no mention is made of behaviour therapy or research arising out of it. In summary, the book provides a quick survey of the theoretical notions, and empirical research up to 1969, which are influencing current thinking about neurosis.
R. S. HALLAM
BOOK
REVIEWS
surprising as none of his data are quantified. In contrast several authors report meticulous and painstaking analyses of the minutiae of the interviewing process. Variables such as pauses, hesitations, vocalizations, are carefully monitored during an interview or conversation. Kendon, for example, spends over 30 pages in describing a detailed linguistic and kinesic analysis of the relationship between the speech patterns and body movements of a single subject from 90 set of a film clip. Differences in aims, methodology and research quality make this volume jagged reading. It is somewhat surprising in a work on communication to note that the editors have cut out the discussion sections, thereby reducing the communicational value of the book considerably. The volume is perhaps best described as an uneven and ill-assorted collection of papers linked more by the fact that most authors were at the conference in Maryland than by any natural or obvious relationships in the presented material. As such it can be scarcely considered a worthwhile purchase. JOHN S. MARZILLIER
STUART,
R. B. and Illinois, 1972.
DAVIS,
B.: S/itn chance in a fat world (condensed
edition), Research Press Company,
THIS
small book attempts to combine behaviour modification and nutrition principles in a pocket-sized ninety-three pages. Advice is given on analysing the eating situation, limiting food intake to specified times and places, selecting a balanced diet, increasing exercise in a reasonable fashion, and charting the results. The booklet comes complete with plastic food intake charts and fibre-tip pen, and on the face of it appears to be a sensible approach to the problems of overweight. However, the scientific evidence on which the book is based, and which is alluded to in the text, is presumably contained in the heavyweight edition. This was not available to this reviewer, so fuller judgement must be suspended. WILLIAM YULE
B.
MARTIN: Anxiety
and Neurotic
Disorders.
John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1971. xiii + 160 pp. f3.25
cloth; 51.55 paper.
THIS book is one of a series of introductory texts on abnormal psychology. In some respects it fulfills the editors intention of a wide coverage of empirical research; five common diagnostic categories of neurosis are examined in terms of heredity, physiology, learning theory, cognitive defensive strategies and social learning. However, in such a short book the topics are inevitably given superficial treatment !eaving many theoretical and methodological problems untackled. An understanding of the relationship between the various chapters would have been helped by a clearer exposition of the authors conceptual framework. However, as the author admits, he has defined neurosis loosely and as a result the implications of this body of knowledge for the understanding and treatment of neurotic disorders are not clearly drawn and ad hoc theorizing (e.g. to explain the persistence of obsessive thoughts) is often appended. Apart from systematic desensitization, no mention is made of behaviour therapy or research arising out of it. In summary, the book provides a quick survey of the theoretical notions, and empirical research up to 1969, which are influencing current thinking about neurosis.
R. S. HALLAM