Contributions to the History of Psychology: XX. A Review of Selected Aspects of Texts in Abnormal Psychology

Abstract

A look at 12 textbooks in abnormal psychology was taken. One point of worth is that there are 89 journal articles published prior to 1950 that are cited in two or more texts, and these may be called “classics” in abnormal psychology. Second, certain journals dominate in terms of publishing these “classics,” with two-thirds of them originating from medical/psychiatric publications (which are the oldest journals). Third, certain themes are prominent within the group, namely, children's disorders and functional psychoses. A fourth finding was that texts in abnormal psychology vary rather widely both in terms of their reverence for the bibliographical past and in terms of their general reverence for references of any vintage. Finally, certain texts appear to include more of the “classics” than do others. Suggestions for further research aimed at “classical” books and potential “classics” of the future are made.