About the Book
This third edition of Taking Sides: Abnormal Psychology is a debate style reader designed to introduce students to controversies in abnormal psychology. The readings, representing the arguments of leading psychologists and researchers, reflect a variety of viewpoints and have been selected for their liveliness and substance and because of their value in a debate framework. This new title will be a beneficial tool to encourage critical thinking on important issues concerning abnormal psychology.
Table of Contents:
PART 1. Classification and Diagnosis ISSUE 1. Is the DSM-IV a Useful Classification System? YES: Allen Frances, Michael B. First, and Harold Alan Pincus, from “DSM-IV: Its Value and Limitations,” Harvard Mental Health Letter (June 1995) NO: Herb Kutchins and Stuart A. Kirk, from “DSM-IV: Does Bigger and Newer Mean Better?” Harvard Mental Health Letter (May 1995) Psychiatrists Allen Frances, Michael B. First, and Harold Alan Pincus contend that although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual ofMental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV) has certain limitations, it represents a vast improvement over previously used systems andincorporates the most up-to-date knowledge available. Professor of social work Herb Kutchins and professor of social welfare Stuart A. Kirk assert that the American Psychiatric Association’sdiagnostic system, particularly the current edition, DSM-IV, is so flawed that its utility should be seriously questioned.ISSUE 2. Is There Gender Bias in the DSM-IV? YES: Terry A. Kupers, from “The Politics of Psychiatry: Gender and Sexual Preference in DSM-IV,” in Mary Roth Walsh, ed., Women, Men, and Gender: Ongoing Debates (Yale University Press, 1997) NO: Ruth Ross, Allen Frances, and Thomas A. Widiger, from “Gender Issues in DSM-IV,” in Mary Roth Walsh, ed., Women, Men, and Gender: Ongoing Debates (Yale University Press, 1997) Forensic psychiatric consultant Terry A. Kupers asserts that several phenomena pertaining to gender and sexuality are pathologized in thediagnostic system of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV). Ruth Ross, Allen Frances, and Thomas A. Widiger, coeditors of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-IV Sourcebook, disagreewith the notion of bias associated with gender and sexuality.PART 2. Psychological Conditions ISSUE 3. Is Multiple Personality Disorder a Valid Diagnosis? YES: Frank W. Putnam, from “Response to Article by Paul R. McHugh,” Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (July 1995) NO: Paul R. McHugh, from “Resolved: Multiple Personality Disorder Is an Individually and Socially Created Artifact,” Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (July 1995) Psychiatrist Frank W. Putnam contends that the diagnosis of multiple personality disorder meets the standards for the three basic forms ofvalidity: content validity, construct validity, and criterion-related validity. Psychiatrist Paul R. McHugh denies the validity of multiple personality disorder, asserting that this condition is a socially createdbehavioral disorder induced by psychotherapists.ISSUE 4. Does Attention Deficit Disorder Exist? YES: Edward M. Hallowell, from “What I’ve Learned From ADD,” Psychology Today (May–June 1997) NO: Thomas Armstrong, from “ADD: Does It Really Exist?” Phi Delta Kappan (February 1996) Psychiatrist Edward M. Hallowell asserts that an appreciation for the complexity of attention deficit disorder (ADD) can provide valuableunderstanding about the workings of the brain and how this disorder affects the lives of millions of people. Educational consultant and former special education teacher Thomas Armstrong contends that the diagnosis of ADD has been blown out ofproportion by the public and the professional community and is, in fact, a questionable diagnosis. ISSUE 5. Should All Uses of MDMA (Ecstacy) be Prohibited? YES: Robert Mathias and Patrick Zickler, from “NIDA Conference Highlights Scientific Findings on MDMA/Ecstasy,” NIDA Notes (December 2001) NO: June Riedlinger and Michael Montagne, from “Using MDMA in the Treatment of Depression,” in Julie Holland, ed., Ecstasy: The Complete Guide (Park Street Press, 2001) Science writers Robert Mathias and Patrick Zickler argue that MDMA has skyrocketed in popularity and that insufficient attention has been paid to the physical and psychological risks associated with its use. June Riedlinger, an assistant professor of clinical pharmacy, and Michael Montagne, a professor of pharmacy, contend that the risks associated with MDMA use have been exaggerated and that there are legitimate therapeutic uses for this substance.ISSUE 6. Does Post-Abortion Syndrome Exist? YES: E. Joanne Angelo, from “Post-Abortion Grief,” The Human Life Review (Fall 1996) NO: Joyce Arthur, from “Psychological Aftereffects of Abortion: The Rest of the Story,” The Humanist (March/April 1997) Psychiatrist E. Joanne Angelo contends that women who have abortions are at risk of developing a lasting, serious syndrome consisting ofseveral emotional and behavioral problems. Social activist Joyce Arthur asserts that a general consensus has been reached in the medical and scientific communities that most women whohave abortions experience little or no psychological harm.ISSUE 7. Are Repressed Memories Valid? YES: Richard P. Kluft, from “The Argument for the Reality of Delayed Recall of Trauma,” in Paul S. Appelbaum, Lisa A. Uyehara, and Mark R. Elin, eds., Trauma and Memory: Clinical and Legal Controversies (Oxford University Press, 1997) NO: Elizabeth F. Loftus, from “Creating False Memories,” Scientific American (September 1997) Psychiatrist Richard P. Kluft supports the notion that people can recover memories that have been long unavailable, and he cites severalverified examples in which psychotherapy patients recalled previously inaccessible memories of traumatic events. Psychologist Elizabeth F. Loftus cites extensive laboratory research to support her conclusion that suggestion and imagination can create“memories” of events that never actually occurred. ISSUE 8. Should Abstinence Be the Goal for Treating People With Alcohol Problems? YES: Patricia Owen, from “Should Abstinence Be the Goal for Alcohol Treatment,” The American Journal of Addictions (Fall 2001) NO: Anne M. Fletcher, from Sober For Good: New Solutions for Drinking Problems--Advice from Those Who Have Succeeded (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001) Psychologist Patricia Owen asserts that abstinence is the safest and most honest treatment goal for most people who are dependent on alcohol. Health and medical writer Anne Fletcher contends that many people with alcohol problems can be successful in their efforts to control their drinking, particularly if they are given professional guidance and support.PART 3. Treatment ISSUE 9. Are Prozac and Similar Antidepressants Safe and Effective? YES: William S. Appleton, from Prozac and the New Antidepressants: What You Need to Know About Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Serzone, Vestra, Celexa, St. John’s Wort, and Others, rev. ed. (Plume, 2000) NO: Joseph Glenmullen, from Prozac Backlash: Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Other Antidepressants With Safe, Effective Alternatives (Simon & Schuster, 2000) Psychiatrist William S. Appleton asserts that Prozac and other drugs in the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can provideeffective relief for depression as well as other mental health problems and concerns, with minimal side effects. Psychiatrist Joseph Glenmullen argues that Prozac and other drugs in the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are neither aseffective nor as safe as pharmaceutical companies have led people to believe. ISSUE 10. Are Antipsychotic Medications the Treatment of Choice for People with Psychosis? YES: E. Fuller Torrey, from Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Consumers, and Providers, 4th edition (Quill, 2001) NO: Robert Whitaker, from Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill (Perseus, 2002) Psychiatrist E. Fuller Torrey, who for decades has been an outspoken advocate for the needs of the mentally ill and their families, contends that antipsychotic medications play a centrally important role in alleviating psychotic symptoms and reducing the likelihood of rehospitalization. Journalist and social critic Robert Whitaker asserts that antipsychotic medications make people chronically ill, cause serious side effects, and increase the likelihood of rehospitalizatoin; furthermore, reliance on these medical treatments for the mentally ill neglect important questions such as what it means to be human.ISSUE 11. Is Ritalin Overprescribed? YES: Peter R. Breggin, from The Ritalin Fact Book: What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About ADHD and Stimulant Drugs (Perseus, 2002) NO: Russell A. Barkley, from Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents (Guilford, 2000) Physician Peter R. Breggin asserts that Ritalin and similar stimulants are dangerous addictive medications that should not be prescribed to children because they suppress growth, and lead to a number of worrisome physical and psychological symptoms. Psychologist and prominent ADHD researcher Russell A. Barkley objects to criticisms of Ritalin and similar stimulants, asserting that these medications serve as important parts of interventions and aimed at helping children increase their attention and concentration.ISSUE 12. Sh
ould Psychosurgery Be Used to Treat Certain Psychological Conditions? YES: Fred Ovsiew and Jonathan Bird, from “The Past and Future of Psychosurgery,” Current Opinion in Psychiatry (January 1997) NO: Frank T. Vertosick, Jr., from “Lobotomy’s Back,” Discover (October 1997) Psychiatrists Fred Ovsiew and Jonathan Bird assert that psychosurgery is an invaluable intervention for certain kinds of seriouslydisordered patients who have not responded to other forms of treatment, and they insist that failure to provide this intervention to those who need itwould be ethically questionable. Neurosurgeon Frank T. Vertosick, Jr., argues that psychosurgical procedures rest on a shaky scientific foundation and involve proceduresthat cause irreversible injury to the brain. ISSUE 13. Should Psychologists Prescribe Medication? YES: Robert Resnick, from “To Prescribe or Not To Prescribe--Is That The Question?” The Psychologist (April 2003) NO: William N. Robiner, Diane L. Bearman, Margit Berman, William M. Grove, Eduardo Colon, Joann Armstrong, and Susan Mareck, from “Prescriptive Authority for Psychologists: A Looming Health Hazard?” American Psychological Association (Fall 2002) Psychologist Robert Resnick endorses the recommendation that psychologists be given prescription privileges in order to expand psychopharmacological availability to people needing medication. Psychologist William Robiner and his colleagues object to the notion of granting prescription privileges to psychologists, and express several concerns pertaining to training and competence.ISSUE 14. Is Electroconvulsive Therapy Ethical? YES: Max Fink, from Electroshock: Restoring the Mind (Oxford University Press, 1999) NO: Leonard R. Frank, from “Shock Treatment IV: Resistance in the 1990s,” in Robert F. Morgan, ed., Electroshock: The Case Against (Morgan Foundation, 1999) Physician Max Fink asserts that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective intervention whose use has been limited as a result ofsocial stigma and philosophical bias, which have been reinforced by intimidation from the pharmaceutical and managed care industries. Leonard R. Frank, editor and cofounder of the Network Against Psychiatric Assault, criticizes the use of ECT because of its disturbing sideeffects, some of which he personally has suffered, and asserts that its resurgence in popularity is economically based.PART 4. Social Issues ISSUE 15. Does Media Violence Promote Violent Behavior in Young People? YES: L. Rowell Huesmann and Jessica Moise, from “Media Violence: A Demonstrated Public Health Threat to Children,” Harvard Mental Health Letter (June 1996) NO: Jonathan L. Freedman, from “Violence in the Mass Media and Violence in Society: The Link Is Unproven,” Harvard Mental Health Letter (May 1996) Psychology and communication researchers L. Rowell Huesmann and Jessica Moise assert that there is a clear relationship between aggressionand children’s viewing of media violence, and they point to several theoretical explanations for this connection. Psychology professor Jonathan L. Freedman disagrees with the conclusion of researchers that there is a relationship between aggression andchildren’s viewing of media violence, and he argues that many conclusions in this area are based on methodologically flawed studies. ISSUE 16. Is Pornography Harmful? YES: Diana E. H. Russell, from Dangerous Relationships: Pornography, Misogyny, and Rape (Sage Publications, 1998) NO: Nadine Strossen, from Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women’s Rights (Scribner, 1995) Sociology professor Diana E. H. Russell considers pornography profoundly harmful because it predisposes men to want to rape women andundermines internal and social inhibitions against acting out rape fantasies. Law professor Nadine Strossen contends that there is no credible research to support the claim that sexist, violent imagery leads to harmfulbehavior against women. ISSUE 17. Is Divorce Always Detrimental to Children? YES: Judith Wallerstein, Julia Lewis, and Sandra Blakeslee, from The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce: A Twenty-Five Year Landmark Study (Hyperion, 2000) NO: E. Mavis Hetherington and John Kelly, from For Better or For Worse: Divorce Reconsidered (W. W. Norton, 2002) Psychology professors Judith Wallerstein and Julia Lewis, and Sandra Blakeslee, a science and medicine correspondent for the New YorkTimes, assert that children of divorced parents suffer emotional damage that impedes normal growth and functioning and permanently alters theirlives. Professor of psychology E. Mavis Hetherington and writer John Kelly dismiss some of what they view as myths of the divorce culture, statingthat divorce is not necessarily detrimental to all children but can, in fact, provide opportunities for growth for the children as well as the parentsinvolved in the divorce. ISSUE 18. Do Evolutionary Factors Explain Why Men Rape? YES: Randy Thornhill and Craig T. Palmer, from “Why Men Rape,” The Sciences (January/February 2000) NO: Susan Brownmiller, from Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape (Simon & Schuster, 1975) Evolutionary biologist Randy Thornhill and evolutionary anthropologist Craig T. Palmer assert that the reasons why men rape aremisunderstood. They contend that, rather than an act of gratuitous violence, rape can be understood as a biologically determined behavior in whichsocially disenfranchised men resort to this extreme act in order to gain access to women. Journalist Susan Brownmiller argues that rape is an exemplification of the male-female struggle in which men humiliate and degrade women ina blunt and ugly expression of physical power.ISSUE 19. Should Mental Health Professionals Serve as Gatekeepers for Physician-Assisted Suicide? YES: Rhea K. Farberman, from “Terminal Illness and Hastened Death Requests: The Important Role of the Mental Health Professional,” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (vol. 28, no. 6, 1997) NO: Mark D. Sullivan, Linda Ganzini, and Stuart J. Youngner, from “Should Psychiatrists Serve as Gatekeepers for Physician-Assisted Suicide?” The Hastings Center Report (July–August 1998) Rhea K. Farberman, director of public communications for the American Psychological Association, makes the case that mental healthprofessionals should be called upon to assess terminally ill people who request hastened death in order to ensure that decision making is rational andfree of coercion. Psychiatrists Mark D. Sullivan, Linda Ganzini, and Stuart J. Youngner argue that the reliance on mental health professionals to be suicidegatekeepers involves an inappropriate use of clinical procedures to disguise society’s ambivalence about suicide itself.ISSUE 20. Is Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy Ethical? YES: Mark A. Yarhouse, from “When Clients Seek Treatment for Same-Sex Attraction: Ethical Issues in the `Right to Choose’ Debate,” Psychotherapy: Theory/Research/Practice/Training (Summer 1998) NO: Douglas C. Haldeman, from “The Practice and Ethics of Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy,” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (April 1994) Psychologist Mark A. Yarhouse asserts that mental health professionals have an ethical responsibility to allow individuals to pursuetreatment aimed at curbing same-sex attraction, stating that doing so affirms the client’s dignity and autonomy. Psychologist Douglas C. Haldeman criticizes therapy involving sexual reorientation, insisting that there is no evidence that such treatmentsare effective and that they run the risk of further stigmatizing homosexuality.
About the Author :
Professor Halgin received his Ph. D. from Fordham University, and completed a 3-year fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, prior to joining the faculty of the University of Massachusetts in 1977. He is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and has had over two decades of clinical, supervisory, and consulting experience. At the University of Massachusetts, his course in Abnormal Psychology is one of the most popular offerings on campus, attracting an enrollment of more than 500 students each semester. In recent years, he has also offered this course at Amherst College and Smith College. His teaching has been recognized at the university and national level. A University of Massachusetts Alumni Distinguished Professor, he was honored with the University's Distinguished Teaching Award and his teaching was recognized by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology of the American Psychological Association. In April 2003, his teaching was highlighted in the Chronicle of Higher Education. Professor Halgin is the author of more than fifty journal articles and book chapters in the fields of psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and professional issues in psychology.
