Psychology is the internationally best-selling introduction to one of the world’s most exciting sciences. This popular text explores every major branch in the field, allowing students to discover classic and contemporary topics, theories and applications. This new 6 th edition has been thoroughly revised and updated and includes over 1000 new references, as well as coverage of the DSM5 and new topics such as social neuroscience, spurious correlations, new theories of intelligence, the history of neuroscience and the Dark Tetrad. It also includes a discussion of the importance of replication, to encourage students to engage with this topical issue. A range of engaging pedagogical features bring alive the diverse strands within the subject. These · Cutting 62 all new sections for this edition, introducing important and exciting research from across the discipline. · Controversies in Psychological current debates that encourage students to reflect upon the complex nature of topics within the field, covering issues such what is the role of oxytocin in trustworthiness? When is it right to deceive participants in psychological studies? Does brain training work? Do learning styles exist? … and many more. · Psychology in sections highlighting the link between theory and application. Consider a range of real world examples such what will make you a better student? Does speed-reading work? · International covers topics such as happiness and how brain research is being conducted in a global context. Richly illustrated throughout, with examples from across the globe, this is an essential read for students of psychology and related disciplines just beginning their studies, as well as for those who simply want to explore psychology in more depth.
I found this book to be a thorough introduction to psychology. It explains the science behind behavior in detail and is clearly designed for students. The coverage is wide, from biology to research methods, and it does a good job of showing how different areas of psychology connect. At the same time, it can feel dense and heavy to get through. The writing is very academic, which makes it less engaging to read outside of class. Still, as a textbook it’s reliable and useful, even if not the most enjoyable.
I had the privilege of learning from this book from two great professors.
My first experience was with the late John Bassili. He was director of the Psychology Department at UTSC and was a great professor who really loved what he was teaching. He was a founder of a program at UTSC called WebOption, in which students can watch lectures online not only as supplementary access for their in-class lectures, but as a student solely connected to the class through online lectures. His enthusiasm for the field helped spur me on to my decision of choosing Psychology as my major.
The other professor responsible for helping me choose my field: one of the best professors at UTSC, and I do mean the absolute best: Professor Steve Joordens. He is the absolute perfect professor to be teaching Intro Psych. If you don't like Psych after taking his class, then you never will. Even years after taking his class, I still find myself using methods he taught me. He's one of the nicest, coolest, most approachable profs around. He's even putting UTSC on the map by creating a new Intro Psych program that is open to an unlimited amount of students, while using online lectures.
But this is about the book right? The book is very good and definitely helped these two profs get their messages across.