Salem Health: Psychology & Mental Health

Editor Piotrowski updates Magill’s Encyclopedia of Social Science: Psychology (2003) to create a comprehensive set that covers all aspects of psychology and mental health. The 593 entries include 159 new entries and 46 substantial revisions, and every entry from the earlier work has been updated. Entries range in length from one to eight pages, are arranged in A–Z format, and cover such topics as theories, conditions, and notable people as well as anatomy and physiology. Every entry begins with standard information, including listing the type of psychology, as well as field of study and key concepts. Biographical entries begin with birth and (when pertinent) death information as well as a brief identifying phrase and relevant types of psychology and fields of study. All entries are followed by extensive “Sources for Further Study” and see also references. Users are also provided with numerous illustrations as well as sidebars of diagnostic criteria from the most recent version of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Contributors have done a nice job of creating entries that are both easy to understand for the lay reader but in-depth enough for students beginning their research. Volume 5 includes a glossary and bibliography, as well as a Web site directory that provides brief descriptions, and an unexpected “Mediagraphy” listing films with mental health themes. Also appended are “Organizations and Support Groups,” “Pharmaceutical List,” “Biographical List of Psychologists,” and “Notable Court Cases.” A category index, personage index, and subject index are also included. These volumes are a great resource for general patrons and students alike and will make a nice addition to public and college libraries. Purchasers of this set are also provided free access to the online version through the Salem Health database. –Asia Gross