This text investigates the clinical and theoretical frameworks used to define, categorize, and treat abnormal behavior within the field of psychology. Frank B. McMahon synthesizes historical perspectives with contemporary diagnostic criteria to provide a comprehensive overview of psychological disorders. The work serves as an academic examination of how mental health professionals identify deviations from normative behavior and the subsequent therapeutic approaches employed in clinical settings.

Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is typical of mid-20th-century psychological textbooks. Experts highlight this as a foundational text for students seeking to understand the historical development of clinical psychology and the evolution of diagnostic standards.