Part I: CLASSIFICATION AND DIAGNOSIS INTRODUCTION. 1. Is Mental Illness a Myth? 2. Are Mental Health Professionals Incapable of Distinguishing Abnormality from Normality? 3. Was DSM-III an Important Advance? 4. Is the Diagnostic System Biased Against Females? Part II: PSYCHOPATHOLOGY: ITS CHARACTERISTICS AND CAUSES. 5. Does Schizophrenia Have a Substantial Genetic Component? 6. Can Anxiety and Depression Be Meaningfully Differentiated? 7. Does Evidence Support the "Disease Model" of Alcoholism? 8. Is Multiple Personality Disorder a Distinct Syndrome? 9. Is Borderline Personality Disorder a Diagnosis of Questionable Validity? 10. Is Sex Reassignment Surgery Ineffective In Improving The Adjustment of Transsexuals? 11. Is Childhood Depression an Imaginary Entity? Part III: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOMATIC TREATMENTS INTRODUCTION. 12. Is Psychotherapy Effective? 13. Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy an Important Advance Over Behavior Therapy? 14. Can Alcoholics Successfully Achieve Controlled Drinking? 15. Should Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Childhood Hyperactivity) Be Treated with Stimulants? 16. Should Electroconvulsive Therapy Be Used to Treat Depression? Part IV: LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES. 17. Should the Insanity Defense Be Maintained? 18. Is Mental Illness Unrelated to Violence? 19. Should Psychiatric Patients Be Hospitalized Against Their Will? Appendix: Additional Controversies in Abnormal Psychology.

In this unique, intriguing book, Scott O. Lilienfeld presents nineteen issues that have been persistently controversial in abnormal psychology. Each issue is represented by two readings that adopt conflicting, and in some cases diametrically opposite, perspectives. Seeing Both Sides helps students in the difficult task of navigating their way through the diverse and often opposing viewpoints they so often encounter in abnormal psychology courses. By presenting this broad sampling of the major controversies in abnormal psychology, Lilienfeld helps readers gain an appreciation (and understanding) of many of the central questions that frequently confront workers in this field. Also, the book helps readers acquire the skills they need to appraise divergent positions on these and related issues - skills they'll use for years to come, long after they've finished their abnormal psychology courses.