This best-selling text not only explores psychological theory and research, but also emphasizes their application to the lives of students. Spencer Rathus is a talented author with a widely celebrated writing style that makes psychology interesting, appealing, and relevant for students. A great amount of detail has gone into updating this text, the additions of a new chapter, "Adolescent and Adult Development;" a new feature, "Controversy in Psychology," which embraces controversies in psychology as vehicles for enhancing knowledge and stimulating critical thinking; and a new pedagogical approach, PQ4R (outlined below). This new edition also features greater emphasis on the evolutionary perspective, as well as a new connection to the Web and the text's CD-ROM using the author's trademarked method.
Spence Rathus is a veteran author who, in addition to his intro and development books with Thomson Learning, publishes texts in adjustment and abnormal psychology with other publishers. Spencer A. Rathus is known for his warm, encouraging writing style and applied approach to learning. As the first member of his family to attend college, he struggled through dry and technical books that didn’t resonate with him. His goal is to write textbooks that excite and motivate today’s students, through humor, personal examples, and a clear pedagogical framework. Since earning his Ph.D., he has published research articles in the areas of human growth and development, psychological disorders, methods of therapy, and psychological assessment. Foremost among his research publications is the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule(RAS), which is widely used in research and clinical practice and frequently referenced in other literature. Rathus taught at Northeastern University and St. John’s University before arriving at his current position at New York University, where he teaches a culturally diverse population of students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.