The scientific study of abnormal behavior

by Inglis, James

"In the field of abnormal psychology, too often data are collected and presented in terms of, or in relation to, some overall "theory of behavior," which they are then used to support or disprove. Although such findings are important in their own right, these data are nevertheless mainly used to support or to undermine the theory, which remains the real focus of interest throughout. An attempt has been made here to reduce this kind of bias. The aim of this book is to consider applications of the scientific principles of psychology to the field of abnormality, exemplified by selected studies involving the measurement and the manipulation of disordered behavior. Many psychologists interested in abnormal behavior have addressed their problems with methods derived from their own discipline, rather than with techniques borrowed uncritically from the medical arts. This book, through a consideration of the procedures and findings of a number of different examples of the scientific study of ab