Description
Book SynopsisPublished by Sinauer Associates, an imprint of Oxford University Press. Organized around four well-established core principles, Principles of Psychology provides students with a framework to understand the science of behavior. Written in a conversational style, the text is organized around the following four well-established principles that serve as touchstones for the field of psychology:--The mind is a process at work in a physical machine, the brain.--We are consciously aware of only a fraction of our mental activity.--We constantly modify our behavior, beliefs, and attitudes according to what we perceive about the people around us.--Experience physically alters the structure and function of the brain.With these four principles as a framework for the text, Principles of Psychology emphasizes that psychology is a science through discussion of relevant big-picture and proven concepts and cutting-edge research-based investigations that examine behavioral, psychological, and neuroscience experiments. By presenting data and facts from other scientific disciplines, as well as real-world vignettes and stories, Marc Breedlove teaches the reader how to think critically and scientifically about the underlying mechanisms of behavior.In-Text Features--Vignette: Each chapter begins with a story, an instance when behavior has a big impact on someone''s life. The chapter returns to the vignette several times as we cover findings that relate to that particular case. --Researchers at Work: In every chapter, important discoveries are explained and illustrated to highlight the process of experimentation and hypothesis testing. Over the course of the book, the progression of experiments provides an increasingly sharper picture of the factors shaping behavior.--Skeptic at Large: Intended to sharpen the student''s critical thinking skills, these boxes explore a widespread misconception and demonstrate how scientific research disproves it. The exploration of scientific experimentation also reinforces the Researchers at Work feature.--Psychology in Everyday Life: These are topics where knowledge of psychology might be applicable to everyday life, such as whether people with schizophrenia are violent, the importance of blind auditions for musicians, how to stop smoking, or how conditioned taste aversion might cause you to stop eating sushi when you used to love it.--The Cutting Edge: Just prior to the end of every chapter, this feature explores an exciting report of current research. Showing students these vibrant and bold experiments will emphasize that psychology research remains alive and well.--Think Like a Psychologist: Principles in Action: To close each chapter, each principle is related back to the vignette to show the student that when they observe an interesting behavior they can recall and apply the four 2principles. If they can do this, they will indeed be thinking like a psychologist.
Trade ReviewGreat format, great content, great graphics, all around excellent. * Allen Huffcutt, Bradley University *
Brings together 'psychological' thinking with contemporary research topics. * John Mavromatis, St. John Fisher College *
Breedlove presents the information in an easy-to-read format without sacrificing the depth and breadth of important psychological concepts. * Jonathan Lewis, University of North Texas *
A well-rounded text, suitable for the entry level intro students. * Robert Martinez, University of the Incarnate Word *
The textbook does an excellent job. There is a strong emphasis on materialism and the neuroscience perspective, but not to the detriment of other perspectives. * Christina Abbott, Franklin & Marshall College *
A contemporary, well written, engaging text that is designed to be student friendly. * Vicki Ritts, St. Louis Community College, Meramec *
Well-written, balanced coverage of contemporary topics and many useful pedagogical features facilitate student exploration and learning of scientific psychology. * Albert Toh, University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff *
A strong commitment to contemporary psychological issues. * Stuart Silverberg, Westmoreland County Community College *
I would recommend the text for a colleague looking for an intro text that emphasizes brain and experience in behavior. It is well written and engaging. * Sharleen Sakai, Michigan State University *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Principles of Psychology Chapter Preview 1.1 Psychology's Roots 1.2 The Rise of Empiricism 1.3 The Modern Synthesis 1.4 A Preview of the Text: Four Principles of Psychology Chapter 2 Psychology as a Science Chapter Preview 2.1 What Constitutes A Science? 2.2 How Do We Scientifically Study Behavior? Chapter 3 The Neuroscience of Behavior Chapter Preview 3.1 The Structure Of The Nervous System: A Microscopic View 3.2 The Nervous System At Work: The Body Electric 3.3 Understanding The Nervous System: Divide and Conquer 3.4 How We Study The Brain Chapter 4 Genes, Environment, and Behavior Chapter Preview 4.1 Genes at Work 4.2 The Regulation of Genes 4.3 Single Gene Effects on Behavior 4.4 Multiple Gene Effects on Behavior 4.5 The Interaction of Genes and Experience Chapter 5 Developmental Psychology Chapter Preview 5.1 The Brain 5.2 The Developing Mind 5.3 Adolescence: Developing Identity 5.4 Adulthood and Beyond Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception Chapter Preview 6.1 The Developing Brain 6.2 Touch and Pain 6.3 Vision 6.4 Hearing 6.5 Taste and Smell Chapter 7 Consciousness Chapter Preview 7.1 Consciousness 7.2 Sleep and Dreams 7.3 Hypnosis and Meditation 7.4 Psychoactive Drugs Chapter 8 Learning Chapter Preview 8.1 Predicting the Future 8.2 Rewarding Behavior 8.3 Observational Learning Chapter 9 Memory Chapter Preview 9.1 The Stages of Memory Formation 9.2 The Vulnerability of Memory 9.3 Different Forms of Memory Chapter 10 Language and Cognition Chapter Preview 10.1 Language 10.2 Decomposing Mental Processes 10.3 Decision Making and Problem Solving Chapter 11 Intelligence Chapter Preview 11.1 History and Development of Intelligence Tests 11.2 The Many Facets of Intelligence 11.3 The Controversy over Group Differences in IQ Chapter 12 Motivation and the Regulation of Behavior Chapter Preview 12.1 Motivation 12.2 Hunger 12.3 Sexual Behavior 12.4 Social Motivation Chapter 13 Emotions, Stress, and Health Chapter Preview 13.1 Emotions 13.2 Stress and Health Chapter 14 Personality Chapter Preview 14.1 The Quest for Personality 14.2 The Rejection of Personality Types and the Pursuit of Traits 14.3 Biological Influences on Personality 14.4 Social Influences on Personality Chapter 15 Social Psychology Chapter Preview 15.1 Social Perception 15.2 Social Influences on Behavior 15.3 Friendship and Romance 15.4 Aggression 15.5 Persuasion and Authority Chapter 16 Clinical Psychology Chapter Preview 16.1 Modern Classification of Psychological Disorders 16.2 Anxiety Disorders and Depression 16.3 Personality Disorders 16.4 Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
