Review of The psychodynamics of abnormal behavior

Abstract

Reviews the book, The psychodynamics of abnormal behavior by J. F. Brown (1940). In a series of papers and one previous book Dr. Brown has sought to integrate Freudian psychoanalysis with academic psychology as represented in Lewin's topological theories. While the present volume is in the same tradition Freud is in much greater evidence than Lewin. In spite of the reviewer's reluctance to accept the Freudian premises upon which the argument of the book rests and in spite of his disagreement with certain other principles, he does not hesitate to claim that this is an important work. Dr. Brown has pointed out weaknesses in Freudian theory and supports possible experimental approaches to the problem. The reader feels that the book has a theoretical consistency unusual in textbooks on abnormal psychology. Furthermore, the book amply illustrates that abnormal psychology is something more than the description of abnormal behavior. While there might be some doubt as to the value of the book as a text in the usual course in abnormal psychology there can be no doubt that it is "must" reading for all advanced students in psychology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)