Abnormal Psychology: Neuroscientific Perspectives on Human Behavior and Experience by William (Bill) J. Ray is a fresh and innovative text that teaches students that psychopathology (abnormal psychology) is a rapidly evolving science. Evolutionary, biological, neurological, psychological, social, sociocultural, and political perspectives are explored for the full presentation of the field with an eye toward critical thinking and evaluation. Fully integrating DSM-5, this text offers the most up-to-date presentation of psychopathology on the market. The perspective spans many levels, from culture to genetics, helping students move beyond a simplistic nature-versus-nurture perspective to new ways of looking at mental disorders based on the latest interdisciplinary research. First-person narratives and clinical case studies help the reader better understand the experiences of a person with a mental disorder while demonstrating their ability to lead a full, productive life. Rich illustrations and a superb resource pack ensure student engagement and success.
I have been waiting for this textbook for over ten years! The reason is simple: it outlines the logic of the onset of a mental disorder, the developmental process from all angles, and the sensible approaches to therapy – with lots of figures and graphs… I haven't been this inspired by a new textbook in a very long time.
– Martha W. Lowe, Winston–Salem State University
William J. Ray is a professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University. He received his PhD from Vanderbilt University and specializes in medical in psychology at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. He received his BA from Eckerd College, where he learned the value of primary sources and the need to integrate information from multiple perspectives. As part of his clinical training, he worked in a number of psychiatric hospitals and clinics around the country, where he learned to value the experiences of people with mental disorders.
During his career, Prof. Ray has been visiting professor and researcher at the universities of Miami, Münster, Rome, Tübingen and Konstanz. At Penn State University, he is the Director of the SCAN (Specialization in Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience) program, and previously the Director of the Clinical Psychology Program.
His research focuses on clinical questions from a neuroscience perspective. He has used psychophysiological and brain imaging techniques such as EEG (electroencephalography), MEG (magnetic encephalography), DTI (diffusion tensor imaging) and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to study emotionality, psychopathology and individual differences.
