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Psychopathology
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Psychopathology

Fifth Edition
January 2027 | 1 200 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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In Psychopathology, William J. Ray and new coauthor Jason Schiffman provide an unprecedented understanding of mental disorders by integrating the latest findings from clinical science, neuroscience, genetics, epidemiology, cultural perspectives, and more. With valuable data and the actual DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria built into the chapters, students develop a broad view of mental disorders, as well as an appreciation for human resilience and recovery. The Fifth Edition is fully updated to include new information on social media and childhood disorders, genetic subtypes of ASD, GLP-1 receptors, the prevention of neurocognitive disorders, applications of AI in clinical science, and proposals for the next edition of DSM.

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This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

Highlights
  • Assignable video with assessment tied to learning objectives and curated exclusively for this text brings concepts to life. Watch a sample video now.
  • NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today's AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students' intellectual growth.
 
Preface
 
Additional Teaching Resources
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Chapter 1: An Overview of Psychopathology and Changing Conceptualizations of Mental Illness
Understanding Psychopathology: Definitions and Key Considerations

 
The Three Major Themes of This Book

 
The Relation of Evolution and Culture to Psychopathology

 
Historical Considerations in Understanding Psychopathology

 
Discovering the Function of the Brain in Behavior and Psychopathology

 
Historical Approaches to Care for Those With Mental Disorders

 
Biological Approaches to Treating Mental Illness

 
Psychological Treatment Perspectives in the 20th and 21st Centuries

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 2: Neuroscience Approaches to Understanding Psychopathology
The Growing Importance of Neuroscience, Genetics, and an Evolutionary Perspective

 
Brain Anatomy, Neurons, and Neurotransmitters

 
How Do We Observe the Brain at Work?

 
Networks of the Brain

 
Genetics and Psychopathology

 
Evolution and Psychopathology

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 3: Research Methods
What Is Science?

 
Nonexperimental Methods of Psychological Research

 
The Experimental Method: Making It Happen

 
Designing an Experimental Study

 
Other Types of Experimental Designs and Research Considerations

 
Ethics and the Scientific Experiment

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 4: Assessment and Classification of Psychological Disorders
Initial Assessment and the Mental Status Exam

 
Structured Interviews and Assessment Considerations

 
Models of Assessment

 
Diagnostic Considerations in Psychopathology

 
Classification Systems for Mental Disorders

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
Notes

 
 
Chapter 5: Childhood and Adolescent-Onset Disorders
Important Aspects of Typical Childhood Development

 
Attachment Disorders, Conduct Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder

 
Autism Spectrum Disorder

 
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disorders

 
Intellectual Developmental Disorder

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 6: Mood Disorders
Introducing Mood Disorders

 
Major Depressive Disorder

 
Bipolar Disorder

 
Suicide

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 7: Stress, Trauma, and PTSD
Psychological Stress and Psychopathology

 
The Physiological Mechanisms Related to Stress and Trauma

 
The Study of Stress

 
Adjustment Disorders, Acute Stress Disorder, and Prolonged Grief Disorder

 
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 8: Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Overview of Anxiety Disorders

 
Major Types of Anxiety Disorders

 
Phobias and Panic Disorder

 
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 9: Dissociative Disorders and Somatic Symptom Disorders
What Is Dissociation?

 
Dissociative Disorders

 
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 10: Eating Disorders
Feeding Disorders

 
Obesity

 
Overview of Eating Disorders

 
Anorexia Nervosa

 
Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 11: Sexual Disorders, Paraphilic Disorders, and Gender Dysphoria
Sexuality in Context

 
Sexual Desire, Arousal, and Response

 
Sexual Dysfunctions

 
Paraphilic Disorders

 
Gender Dysphoria

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 12: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Drug Use in the United States

 
Disordered Substance Use, Dependence, and Addiction

 
Alcohol and Alcohol Use Disorder

 
Cannabis, Hallucinogens, and Opioids

 
Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines, Caffeine, and Nicotine

 
Gambling

 
Treatment of Substance-Related Disorders

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 13: Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia Basics: Prevalence, Course, and Symptoms

 
Historical and Evolutionary Perspectives on Schizophrenia

 
Factors in the Development of Schizophrenia

 
Causes and Effects: Neuroscience Findings About Schizophrenia

 
Treating Individuals With Schizophrenia

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 14: Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders and Personality

 
Odd, Eccentric Personality Disorders

 
Dramatic Emotional Personality Disorders

 
Anxious Fearful Personality Disorders

 
Treatment of Personality Disorders

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 15: Neurocognitive Disorders
Normal Cognitive Changes Related to Aging

 
Categories of Neurocognitive Disorders

 
Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer’s Disease

 
Other Causes of Neurocognitive Disorder

 
Prevention, Treatment, and Support

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 16: The Law and Mental Health
Violence and Mental Illness: Myth vs. Reality

 
The American Legal System and the Insanity Defense

 
Legal Competence: Standing Trial and Making Decisions

 
Ethical and Legal Issues in Mental Health Treatment

 
Sexual Predator Laws

 
Neuroscience and Evolutionary Perspectives on the Legal Aspects of Psychopathology

 
Summary

 
Study Resources

 
Key Terms and Concepts

 

Ray's dedication as a practitioner and educator brings current theory and practice into the classroom!

Professor James Gilbert, PhD, LPC-S
The University of West Alabama
Pre pub Review

The text does what it sets out to do by trying to present the disorders in a way that the reader can easily consume. As an instructor in this course area, the videos and knowledge checks are beneficial for helping drive home the material.

Professor Treston Smith, MA
Sam Houston State University
Pre pub Review

I appreciate that PTSD is a separate chapter. It is lumped into the anxiety disorder chapter in my current book. It has great anecdotes in the beginning and pulls in more research than my current book. I love the Knowledge Checks built in. Great job explaining the HPA axis. I like that it has the exact DSM 5-TR criteria.

Professor Chelsea J. Sterne
Cumberland University
Pre pub Review

I liked the inclusion of neuroscience throughout the chapter. In general, I thought the chapter was well-written, cohesive, and easy to read.

Professor Michael Mallott, PhD
Daytona State College
Pre pub Review
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today’s AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use module integrates video, data driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students' intellectual growth.
    • Sage Premium Video boosts student engagement by bringing concepts to life.
      • NEW! Author Insight Videos feature coauthor Jason Schiffman explaining key topics such as counteracting stigma, AI applications to clinical science, assessment, and more.
      • Expert interviews feature coauthor William J. Ray and other experts in the field explaining both the methods used in researching abnormal psychology and the specific pathologies behind various disorders and conditions.
      • Concept animations, one per chapter, use clips from films, TV shows, and interviews to help students envision complex topics from psychopathology as they show up in the lives of characters and real people.
  • New insights related to emerging findings from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been included in various chapters.
  • Each chapter has been extensively updated to reflect research since 2021. Key topics include applications of AI in research and assessment, therapeutic use of ketamine and psychedelics, the emergence of drugs targeting GLP-1 receptors, substance abuse and problematic gambling, a closer look at social media use and childhood disorders, and the use of apps in dementia care.
  • The discussion of 21st-century treatment approaches now considers the importance of cultural competency within the context of evidence-based care.
  • Updated LENS boxes and Cultural LENS boxes address timely societal and cultural issues relevant to each chapter.
  • New references in the For Further Reading sections at the end of the chapters bring the text’s recommendations for further exploration up to date.
  • Chapter organization has been streamlined throughout the text, with learning objectives connected to each major section to facilitate assessment and enhance student comprehension.
KEY FEATURES:
  • A person-first, multilevel approach that integrates findings from clinical science with neuroscience, ethology, evolution, and genetics helps achieve a clear and complete understanding of this exciting field.
  • Chapter-opening outlines and learning objectives provide previews of forthcoming material and identify for students what they should be able to accomplish at the conclusion of readings.
  • Understanding Changes in DSM–5-TR boxes in all disorder chapters describe the reasoning and context behind the changes that were made in DSM–5-TR.
  • Concept Checks at the end of key sections allow students to test their comprehension by answering a series of questions.
  • End-of-chapter summaries, review questions, and key terms and concepts allow students to revisit content covered to reinforce learning.