Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology

by Ronald J. Comer

For over ten years, Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology has been recognized as the ideal concise textbook for abnormal psychology. The book distinguishes itself by seamlessly integrating various theoretical models, sociocultural factors, research, clinical experiences, and therapies. Ron Comer not only encourages students to think critically about the science and study of mental disorders—he also reveals the humanity behind them. Now in its Fourth Edition, the book builds on its predecessors with an abundance of new material and improved media tools.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, School, Textbooks, Reference, College, Read For School

497 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1994

About the author

Ronald J. Comer has been a professor in Princeton University's Department of Psychology for the past 50 years, also serving for many years as director of Clinical Psychology Studies and as chair of the university's Institutional Review Board. In 2016 he transitioned to emeritus status at the university. He has received the President's Award for Distinguished Teaching at Princeton, where his various courses in psychopathology were among the university's most popular.
Professor Comer is also Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He has also been a practicing clinical psychologist and served as a consultant to numerous hospitals, family practice residency programs, and autism programs.
In addition to writing the textbooks Fundamentals of Psychopathology (eleventh edition), Psychopathology: Science and Practice (twelfth edition), Psychology Around Us (fourth edition), and Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology (third edition), Professor Comer has published a range of journal articles and produced numerous widely used educational video programs, including The Higher Education Video Library Series, The Video Anthology for Psychopathology, The Worth Video Collection for Psychopathology, Video Segments in Neuroscience, Introduction to Psychology Video Clipboard, and Developmental Psychology Video Clipboard.
Professor Comer was an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania and a graduate student at Clark University. He currently lives in Florida with his wife, Marlene.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could be more modern, inclusive and relevant. The intro psychology book from a previous semester was written in a more engaging way, used much more relevant examples, and in some respects covered the major DSM disorders better than this book did

[camille 🤍 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my abnormal psychology class.

[Stephanie Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a lot from this textbook for my abnormal psychology class.

[Lexie Darce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good overview of abnormal psychological disorders.

I read the 9th edition, updated in 2019.

[Kandachamy Vijayakumaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely interesting book giving a comprehensive picture about abnormal psychology with a lot of cases from references not accessible to common man. The trivia, pictures, quotes, and statistics copiously scattered all over are extremely useful and informative. The layout of the text in book and boxes with distinct background and colours are really pleasant, creating no eye-sore. A must read for psychology students and a good read for anyone interested in the subject.

[Kolby Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad for an abnormal psychology text. Really informative and provides a good amount of real-world scenarios and case studies to help you understand all the different psychological disorders. If you’re reading it for a college course I highly recommend the e-book version so you can search as needed for this is a very long textbook. 688 pages. I read the 10th edition - not sure if the 7th edition is as long!

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book. Had to use it for school. The edition I used was useful at times, but even at 7 years old, it seemed a bit outdated. The ways they tried to make it relevant and eye catching to younger people was a bit nauseating though. It seemed like the book was written for high schoolers and not college adults.

[Skai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my abnormal psychology class. You learn what is needed while in this class, that's for sure. A lot of reading, was going on while I attend this class, was it worth the read, Umm I guess, since it's aiming towards my major.

[Hailey Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Glad to see more modern studies and facts being used to relate to the newer generations. This is a book I could read for fun and not just in class!

[Noa Bash · Rating 3 out of 5]

this sucked because it was a textbook but goddamn do i like psychology

[Julie Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study! Scared me, though. Applications to real life were vivid and challenging.

[bwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for my PSY 366 Psychological Disorders course with Dr. Carolyn Cavanaugh-Toft. fascinating read

[Virginia Ogden · Rating 3 out of 5]

literally would never add a textbook to goodreads but i literally read the entire thing and i just need recognition for it

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is an educational book meant to teach students about various mental illnesses, I absolutely loved reading this! Ronald Comer did a fantastic job teaching about abnormal psychology, while keeping the book light and very intriguing at the same time. He offers examples for every mental illness, which helps the reader take it outside of a textbook; it makes it more realistic, and it keeps the reader thinking back to people the reader may know in his or her life.

[Gigi Fenyx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I you are looking for a book that will give you a detailed and in depth look at each of the Diagnostic categories of psychological illness, this is the perfect book. It is simple, clear and has lots of examples, facts and case studies embedded within the text as well as diagnostic criteria as included in the DSM-IV-TR. This is a book I will refer to time and time again.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the better undergraduate textbooks I've had to read. It keeps the material fresh and compelling. I read this alongside my psychiatric nursing textbook and the pathology was far more fun to read. It might be a lite bit skimp on detail but for a 200 level community college class it was perfect.

[Paige Morrison]

This was an easy to read text that explained the intricacies of the human brain and the different illnesses that can manifest from it. It explores both the psycho social aspects of mental illness and the numerous possibilities that can be the cause of these illnesses.

[Khadijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great textbook! I brought it for my abnormal psychology class and I was well educated from it. This is very difficult textbook to read. I took a lot of notices to remember. I learned a lot about different disorders and how can they be treated.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the required textbook for my Abnormal Psychology class. Very informative and easy to read. Our instructor had a set of powerpoints that were, I assume, made by the publishers and followed along with the book. Very helpful.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was one of the more interesting books from my psychology degree program.

[Deb Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abnormal Psych class text. So far it's pretty good. Updated in 2007 and even includes mention of Positive Psychology in the first chapter.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to rate a text?!? Informative-great at summing up each section in a chapter, for ease of study on a test.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only textbook I've managed to actually read cover-to-cover. Fascinating and even-handed.

[Adam Shaeffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly readable.

[Michelle Stalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this textbook. It helped me understand the material very well and related each and every aspect to the past and to current times.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Janna Ladd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Fully explains common psychological conditions, their etiologies and treatment options. Enjoyed this.

[Lahiru Liyanage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my life completely.

[Jordyn ♡ Lynsey {{Reads}} · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is overrated.

[Kimberly Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I am taking Abnormal Psych at Liberty University and I am more than hooked!!!