- Email: [email protected]
Personality and psychopathology: Building a clinical science
252
Book reviews/Behaviour Research and Therapy 36 (1998) 247-254
training courses for public health physicians. The author makes his intentions clear in the introduction and this volume takes a holistic view of epidemiology. Such a view indicates that the aims of the subject at a broader level and those of individual study designs, do not have to be incompatible. The book is divided broadly into six parts. The first part includes the introduction, which deals with the scope of epidemiology and the questions that epidemiology is able to answer. While identifying major problems in epidemiological research, the author emphasises a multitude of difficult areas including data collection, population selection and ethics of the research. Some of these points are discussed at length later in the book. The second part of the volume deals with problems in the choice of study design--between the problems of incidence and prevalence rates, and the association of risk factors and disease. The choices facing the research are discussed at some length with clear examples from various branches of medicine, which most researchers would find very helpful. In the third part, problems of selection of populations and study samples are discussed at some length and once again helpful advice given to the reader. The next part deals with information gathering from epidemiological surveys, and with the various factors that play a role in the process. A whole chapter is devoted to the use of questionnaires, various types of questions and how to formulate them. The fifth part of the book covers analysis and interpretation of epidemiological data including information on computer databases. One chapter is dedicated to problems with confounding and another one on bias. The costs of epidemiological studies and possibilities of cost containment and ethical issues are discussed at some length. It is heartening to see that ethical dilemmas are being addressed here. This volume is very clearly written and has a well laid-out structure making it easy for the reader to dip in and dip out or to take long swims without getting tired. It has plenty of practical advice for the novice and for the experienced researcher. Well produced, this book deserves to be widely read--by clinicians, researches, and managers. Dinesh Bhugra 0005-7967/98/$19.00 ~ 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PlI: S0005-7967(98)00008-4
Personality and Psychopathology. Building a Clinical Science, T. Millon: Wiley, New York (1996). 354 pp. £40.00. Theodore Millon's most recent contribution to the field of personality and psychopathology is a memorable read. Millon's ability to convey his ideas about personality and psychopathology is both impressive and persuasive. This book is a collection of previous writings by him which span two decades. His aim is to build a unifying science of personality and psychopathology
Book reviews/Behaviour Research and Therapy 36 (1998) 247-254
253
and thus the book serves two functions. First, for any individual interested in understanding the development of a clinical science and gaining a greater understanding of theories, taxonomy, instruments and interventions, this book provides such knowledge. By going back to basics, Millon relates his theory building to biological and psychological processes and thus unites contemporary thought and practice to a holistic understanding of the nature of clinical science. This would appeal to any scientist-practitioner interested in theory development. The second function of this book is the development of personality and psychopathology as a clinical science. By drawing on fundamental principles, Millon offers a framework to understand personality and psychopathology in terms of theories to explain, a taxonomy system to classify, instruments to assess and interventions to alleviate. Throughout the book, Millon is inclusive of a variety of disciplines which he critically analyses and utilises their best explanatory powers in understanding the phenomena of personality disorders and psychopathology. The lack of underlying theory-driven classification systems of personality disorders is identified and Millon offers his own suggestions for a theory-driven taxonomy. Perhaps the book's weakness lies in the fourth section entitled "Intervention". This is not a treatment manual and anyone wishing to further their knowledge of therapy with personality disorders should look elsewhere. In sum, this book is a fascinating look at Millon's development of ideas regarding personality and psychopathology. As it is presented as a collection of papers, the book is an excellent 'dipping in' reference volume. Also, to read it from cover to cover is worthwhile. I would recommend this book for any scientist-practitioner wishing to further their understanding in the field of clinical science and its relationship to personality and psychopathology. Deborah Lee 0005-7967/98/$19.00 © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S0005-7967(98)00009-6
Investigative and Forensic Decision Making, Noel K. Clark and Geoffrey M. Stephenson: Issues in Criminological and Legal Psychology, No. 26. The British Psychological Society, Leicester (1996). 94 pp. This small volume presents 11 'selected papers' from the Division of Criminological and Legal Psychology (DCLP) Annual Conference 1995. There is no introduction to the papers or overall discussion of their contribution to the issues addressed. It is not mentioned how the papers were 'selected' for inclusion in this issue of the DCLP Series. What is evident is that there is no one theme or subject matter included. The papers address a variety of topics, with considerable variability in style and quality. All the papers are short, and apart from one, contain an
Book reviews/Behaviour Research and Therapy 36 (1998) 247-254
training courses for public health physicians. The author makes his intentions clear in the introduction and this volume takes a holistic view of epidemiology. Such a view indicates that the aims of the subject at a broader level and those of individual study designs, do not have to be incompatible. The book is divided broadly into six parts. The first part includes the introduction, which deals with the scope of epidemiology and the questions that epidemiology is able to answer. While identifying major problems in epidemiological research, the author emphasises a multitude of difficult areas including data collection, population selection and ethics of the research. Some of these points are discussed at length later in the book. The second part of the volume deals with problems in the choice of study design--between the problems of incidence and prevalence rates, and the association of risk factors and disease. The choices facing the research are discussed at some length with clear examples from various branches of medicine, which most researchers would find very helpful. In the third part, problems of selection of populations and study samples are discussed at some length and once again helpful advice given to the reader. The next part deals with information gathering from epidemiological surveys, and with the various factors that play a role in the process. A whole chapter is devoted to the use of questionnaires, various types of questions and how to formulate them. The fifth part of the book covers analysis and interpretation of epidemiological data including information on computer databases. One chapter is dedicated to problems with confounding and another one on bias. The costs of epidemiological studies and possibilities of cost containment and ethical issues are discussed at some length. It is heartening to see that ethical dilemmas are being addressed here. This volume is very clearly written and has a well laid-out structure making it easy for the reader to dip in and dip out or to take long swims without getting tired. It has plenty of practical advice for the novice and for the experienced researcher. Well produced, this book deserves to be widely read--by clinicians, researches, and managers. Dinesh Bhugra 0005-7967/98/$19.00 ~ 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PlI: S0005-7967(98)00008-4
Personality and Psychopathology. Building a Clinical Science, T. Millon: Wiley, New York (1996). 354 pp. £40.00. Theodore Millon's most recent contribution to the field of personality and psychopathology is a memorable read. Millon's ability to convey his ideas about personality and psychopathology is both impressive and persuasive. This book is a collection of previous writings by him which span two decades. His aim is to build a unifying science of personality and psychopathology
Book reviews/Behaviour Research and Therapy 36 (1998) 247-254
253
and thus the book serves two functions. First, for any individual interested in understanding the development of a clinical science and gaining a greater understanding of theories, taxonomy, instruments and interventions, this book provides such knowledge. By going back to basics, Millon relates his theory building to biological and psychological processes and thus unites contemporary thought and practice to a holistic understanding of the nature of clinical science. This would appeal to any scientist-practitioner interested in theory development. The second function of this book is the development of personality and psychopathology as a clinical science. By drawing on fundamental principles, Millon offers a framework to understand personality and psychopathology in terms of theories to explain, a taxonomy system to classify, instruments to assess and interventions to alleviate. Throughout the book, Millon is inclusive of a variety of disciplines which he critically analyses and utilises their best explanatory powers in understanding the phenomena of personality disorders and psychopathology. The lack of underlying theory-driven classification systems of personality disorders is identified and Millon offers his own suggestions for a theory-driven taxonomy. Perhaps the book's weakness lies in the fourth section entitled "Intervention". This is not a treatment manual and anyone wishing to further their knowledge of therapy with personality disorders should look elsewhere. In sum, this book is a fascinating look at Millon's development of ideas regarding personality and psychopathology. As it is presented as a collection of papers, the book is an excellent 'dipping in' reference volume. Also, to read it from cover to cover is worthwhile. I would recommend this book for any scientist-practitioner wishing to further their understanding in the field of clinical science and its relationship to personality and psychopathology. Deborah Lee 0005-7967/98/$19.00 © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S0005-7967(98)00009-6
Investigative and Forensic Decision Making, Noel K. Clark and Geoffrey M. Stephenson: Issues in Criminological and Legal Psychology, No. 26. The British Psychological Society, Leicester (1996). 94 pp. This small volume presents 11 'selected papers' from the Division of Criminological and Legal Psychology (DCLP) Annual Conference 1995. There is no introduction to the papers or overall discussion of their contribution to the issues addressed. It is not mentioned how the papers were 'selected' for inclusion in this issue of the DCLP Series. What is evident is that there is no one theme or subject matter included. The papers address a variety of topics, with considerable variability in style and quality. All the papers are short, and apart from one, contain an