The field of psychology is a large area of the social sciences that is of interest to students at many colleges and universities in the United States. in fact, psychology is one of the top careers sought after in a large number of schools. all students who want to get a degree in psychology should start from the beginning: psychology 101.
You are reading: Introduction to psychology books
Introductory psychology courses generally cover a similar curriculum of material including topics such as historical approaches to the field, how to employ the scientific method for use in psychological research, and a basic understanding of the main methods used in psychology. professional psychology.
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There are a plethora of introductory psychology books available for instructors to choose from. This list highlights the best textbooks available today, the most widely used, and the most approved by students. many of these publications are later editions of a series of texts in progress, indicating that these texts have maintained a high level of success over the years. To be included in this list, the introductory psychology textbook must be peer-reviewed, used nationally, have received praise from both students and instructors, and have positive reviews online.
an introduction to the history of psychology
b.r hergenhahn and tracy henley
year of publication: 2013
An Introduction to the History of Psychology is a non-traditional textbook co-authored by Hergenhahn and Henley. This contemporary text immediately engaged the reader by presenting the initial puzzle that Greek philosophers tackled: dreams. Philosophers puzzled over what dreams were, what purpose they served, and how valuable the contents were for a long time. Out of this puzzle emerged a large number of elaborate theories, each attempting to explain human memory and perception. A theory presented by the famous philosopher Descartes explained that the brain was full of “animal spirits”. The textbook continues to cover the history of the field of psychology from its inception to more modern research methods. this seventh edition of the text asserts that most interests among modern psychologists are expressions of themes and theories that have been a part of psychology for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. The textbook includes many photographs and scholarly devices, complete with a plethora of biographical information on important figures in psychology. students are provided with a balance between visual stimulation and narration to broaden their understanding of each chapter. this book can be used in conjunction with the infotrac student collection.
clep psychology introductory book with online clep exam preparation, second edition
don j. arrowhead
year of publication: 2012
clep’s introductory psychology book is not your average psychology 101 book. This introductory textbook was written with a different kind of psychology student in mind. Clep stands for University Level Examination Program. the college board, the group of people who created the high school ap program and sat program, developed this unique program to meet the needs of students who would not use the traditional college pathway. The Clep program remains the most trusted credit-by-exam program for more than 40 years, accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities and administered at more than 1,800 test centers. This exam is an excellent option for non-traditional students, specifically those serving in the military. Clep’s Introduction to Psychology book is designed to provide students with training in the area of introductory psychology. The text covers a high percentage of the topics included in the test and was created for use with the Clep online test preparation system. Although the book was designed specifically for students planning to take the CLEP exam, it covers enough basic psychological topics to make it an excellent choice for any introductory psychology course. It can be used by those studying the subject on their own, as well as by those taking part in a traditional introductory psychology course. this distinctive psychology textbook is an excellent choice for hobbyists or those seeking non-traditional learning outcomes.
introduction to psychology 10th edition
james w. kalat
year of publication: 2013
One of the most widely used introductory psychology textbooks is the Introduction to Psychology series, written by James Kalat. In the 13th edition of this series, the text goes beyond simply covering the major theories and studies within psychological science. this advanced edition encourages students to question the information they receive and to ask the important question, “how was this conclusion reached?” and “does the evidence really support it?” this interactive approach helps students become amateur scientists. By using this approach, students not only gain the knowledge expected at the introductory level, but also learn to think critically and become better consumers of research. In this highly praised book by students, the author, a professor at North Carolina State University, challenges students’ previously held ideas about the field of psychology to enable them to evolve into more informed consumers of information over the course of their lives. his college experience, as well as in his later life. college life. Kalat uses a humorous writing style and hands-on learning, “try it yourself” exercises throughout the book. By combining these teaching strategies, the textbook can be adapted to the learning style needs of a broader audience of students. Students using this introductory psychology text can take advantage of the InfoTrac Student Collection.
introduction to psychology 10th edition
rod plotnik and haig kouyoumdjian
year of publication: 2013
The tenth edition of rod plotnik and haig kouyoumdjian’s introduction to psychology can be summed up in one important word: interesting. when you read student reviews of the text, the word you see over and over again is interesting. While many introductory psychology textbooks tend to be dry and boring, this book stands out for the complete opposite. It features a look and feel that mimics a magazine or graphic novel, with visualizations and graphics. In this edition, the reader is immediately drawn in, showing how fascinating the study of the human mind can be. The book uses a modular and visual approach to outline the basic principles of the field of psychology and psychological research. The innovative “visual” or “magazine” style approach allows even the most challenging concepts to be seen as engaging and entertaining for students. The entire book has been individually planned, written and formatted to be effective by combining the use of visual cues, helping students to better remember the information they have read. This latest update uses the psychological concept of “chunking,” a method of taking a larger concept and breaking it down into smaller, more digestible sections that allow students to learn at a pace ideal for their needs. This is one of the best introductory psychology textbooks on the list for students who traditionally have a hard time learning from a textbook. the unique approach makes it easy to follow and engage with the material. students learning from this text also have access to the infotrac student collection.
Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior with Concept Maps and Reviews
dennis coon and john o. miter
year of publication: 2008
This highly acclaimed introductory psychology textbook was written collaboratively by professionals and has received a great deal of praise and rave reviews from instructors and students in each successive edition. both are leaders in their field and among the best textbook authors in the world. Introductory Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior with Concept Maps and Reviews 12th Edition is designed for student learning. the careful design of the text layout is intentionally visually rich. This edition continues to use an innovative integration of the proven sq4r learning system (poll, ask, read, reflect, review, recite), which increases critical thinking skills while guiding students to a greater understanding of the wide range of psychology concepts and multiplicity of topics. The text covers the historical beginnings of developmental psychology, in unison with a thorough discussion of the empirical scientific method. In each captivating chapter, these active learning tools are combined with the book’s example-based writing style, positive psychology discussions, pioneering coverage of new research findings from the field, and top-tier media resources. this combination allows the user to find the study of psychology interesting, relevant and, most importantly, accessible. is an excellent text for a wide range of teaching and learning styles.
psychology – 10th edition
david g. myers
year of publication: 2011
The psychology of david myers tenth edition is a leader in the field of introductory psychology. One of the biggest compliments this book continually receives from students and teachers alike is how engaging the material is, from the table of contents to the first chapter. both the material itself and the user-friendly presentation describe the broad topic of human behavior in a very concise and engaging way. the narrative is easy to read and concise to cater to all types of learners. David Myers’ highly regarded introductory text has reached an extremely wide audience of students and instructors with each subsequent edition. in each edition it surpasses the previous one, with an increasing number of accolades from both professionals and students. Myers works closely with a team of researchers and writers, all of whom are leaders in the field, to understand the importance of psychological research and the needs of instructors and students. The text covers all pertinent historical information, describes the scientific method as applied to psychology, and shows students the breadth of modern psychological practice. Over ten million student “class evaluators” and thousands of foster instructors can attest to the high quality of this book. myers used these testers to find inherent flaws in the previous edition of the text and made any necessary changes. this made the text easier to use and much more readable. In keeping with previous editions, the tenth edition of this landmark series is another solid and deeply thought-out revision.
psychology: a concise introduction
richard griggs
year of publication: 2014
Richard Griggs Psychology: A Concise Introduction is one of the most affordable introductory psychology textbooks available on the market today. This short textbook is an affordable but authoritative alternative to the introductory psychology text. the students immediately enjoy the low price, but quickly discover that the book is worth much more than the low price. is an unsurpassed volume that offers a comprehensive review of the rudimentary ideas of the field of psychology and the research behind them. Students learn the ins and outs of the empirical scientific method, how to plan and implement research, and how to understand findings. there are several chapters that enable students to understand where psychology began and how far it has come. there is a great deal of depth and breadth in the pages of books. In addition to the textbook, there is a robust companion package designed specifically for students and instructors. no other text and supplement package can offer the same value for an affordable price. the 4th edition of the text is completely up to date, specifically in specific areas such as neuroscience, mental health, and in the coverage of topics affected by the release of the new dsm-5.
psychology: an introduction
Benjamin Lahey
year of publication: 2011
The 11th edition of Benjamin Lahey’s Psychology: An Introduction is a modern update of a time-honored classic introductory psychology textbook. This latest edition stays true to the reputation of this classic text with modernizations that make it even more enjoyable for students. It is designed to help beginning psychology students master the important concepts and historical details of the field. there is also a detailed description of how to conduct effective psychological research. the 11th edition has been extensively updated to include the latest research with an emphasis on consciousness, development, abnormal psychology, and social psychology. Lahey, a renowned psychology educator, integrates empirical insights throughout the text to provide students with an accurate representation of modern psychology. Updates to this text have made it even more student-friendly with clear chapter starts and updated modernizations that make the material even more relevant to students. The proven learning system helps students understand the concepts presented in the book. Lahey’s text places a distinctive emphasis on diversity and culture, which is present throughout the text, making this book a comprehensive introduction to all areas of psychology. This textbook is designed to be well suited for psychology students of all levels and types, from community college to university.
Psychology: Themes and Variations, 9th Edition
wayne weiten
year of publication: 2012
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In the ninth edition of this textbook, author and psychologist Wayne Weiten presents the broader field of psychology clearly and concisely. This newest edition of a widely used introductory psychology textbook preserves the book’s tradition of academic strengths while addressing market changes. the text includes new learning objectives, updated material, and a fresh new design. is designed to offer users an innovative variety of psychology that accomplishes three goals:
- to demonstrate the unity and diversity of the subject of psychology
- to illuminate the research process and its link to application
- to make the material challenging and challenging yet easy to learn
This text maintains a pleasing balance of scientific rigor and a student-friendly approach by integrating seven themes from throughout the book, an unparalleled instructional arts program, real-world examples from everyday life, and modernized learning aids. these elements are kept in balance to help students understand research so that they can better understand general concepts within the field. Major topics covered in most introductory psychology courses are included in this text, such as developmental psychology, neuropsychology, biological psychology, positive psychology, applied psychology, psychological disorders, and multiculturalism and the diversity. Students report that this text is easy to read, extremely easy to use, and helpful in classroom instruction.
understand psychology
robert feldmann
year of publication: 2014
In the 12th edition of this widely used introductory psychology textbook, Robert Feldman weaves together the many historical details that underlie the modern field of psychology. Understanding Psychology is designed to instruct students in a way that best suits their academic style. The highly personalized program uses a revolutionary review process that creates a fully integrated learning system that includes a “students first” goal. This adaptive learning program, SmartBook, offers students a personalized academic experience that is tailored to their individual needs. the 12th edition of this text uses “heat map” technology to delineate revisions that have been made based on previous editions. Feldman used earlier data to see where students were struggling the most and identified these as “hot spots” that needed to be refined and updated. each of these areas has been adjusted to be clearer and more concise. this has made the already successful text even clearer and more impressive. This textbook is based on Feldman’s accessible instruction and important research, as well as a “modules within chapters” format that is manageable for students and allows instructors the ability to assign and cover the topics they need. choose. this is an excellent textbook for psychology students of all learning styles.
people also ask
what is introductory psychology? Introduction to Psychology, or Introduction to Psychology, is one of the most popular undergraduate courses and appeals even to those who are not interested in specializing in the subject. The course generally covers the history of psychology as a scientific discipline, a survey of influential psychologists, and the basics of human behavior.
How can I learn psychology by myself? of course! If you’re not in a position to take a formal psychology class, you can start your own education by reading an introductory psychology textbook or by looking for a free psychology course from Coursera or EdX.
Do I need to take a course to study psychology? If you intend to study psychology to become a clinical psychologist, you will need to take formal psychology courses and earn an accredited degree.
Top 10 introductory psychology textbooks
The ten introductory psychology textbooks cover the foundational information required for Psychology 101 courses, as determined by the American Psychological Association (APA). each includes information on the historical approaches that have been used in the field since its inception, the details of the empirical scientific method, and the many current theories in the field. the differences between the texts are subtle differences in the way the material is presented. while some students learn better with a more graphic approach with diagrams, pictures, and indexes, others benefit from a longer narrative. Regardless of the type of textbook that best suits each student’s needs, these ten introductory psychology textbooks are among the best in the country and fit the needs of the largest number of students.
source:
100 best psychology books of all time
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