The aim of this book is not to impart a substantive knowledge of core psychological theories, or even to analyze critically selected theories. Instead, it is to prepare the reader to analyze and advance the theoretical literature in any tradition. Theoretical psychology stands in the same relation to psychology as theoretical physics does to physics. The traditional way to study theoretical psychology is to take up one approach after another—behavioral, psychoanalytic, cognitive, and so on. The aim of this book is not to impart a substantive knowledge of core psychological theories, or even to analyze critically selected theories. Instead, it is to prepare the reader to analyze and advance the theoretical literature in any tradition. A good theoretician should be able to contribute to the study of psychoanalytic theory as readily as to behavioral theory. The skills required are the same. Instead of covering a sequence of theories, therefore, the book is organized around types of theoretical activities. It is not a work in theoretical psychology; it is a book about theoretical psychology. It also confronts psychologists' underestimation of the variety and the significance of theoretical work. Many theoretical issues do not call for empirical research—they require nothing but thinking.

This book is the product of years of thought and a profound concern for the state of contemporary psychology. Jerome Kagan, a theorist and leading researcher, examines popular practices and assumptions held by many psychologists. He uncovers a variety of problems that, troublingly, are largely ignored by investigators and clinicians. Yet solutions are available, Kagan maintains, and his reasoned suggestions point the way to a better understanding of the mind and mental illness. Kagan identifies four problems in contemporary psychology: the indifference to the setting in which observations are gathered, including the age, class, and cultural background of participants and the procedure that provides the evidence (he questions, for example, the assumption that similar verbal reports of well-being reflect similar psychological states); the habit of basing inferences on single measures rather than patterns of measures (even though every action, reply, or biological response can result from more than one set of conditions); the defining of mental illnesses by symptoms independent of their origin; and the treatment of mental disorders with drugs and forms of psychotherapy that are nonspecific to the diagnosed illness. The author's candid discussion will inspire the debate that is needed in a discipline seeking to fulfill its promises.

Acclaimed as one of the best works available on feminine psychology from the time it first appeared in 1933, The Way of All Women discusses topics such as work, marriage, motherhood, old age, and women's relationships with family, friends, and lovers. Dr. Harding, who was best known for her work with women and families, stresses the need for a woman to work toward her own wholeness and develop the many sides of her nature, and emphasizes the importance of unconscious processes.

Learn about human nature, behavior and how the mind works with The Psychology Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Psychology in this overview guide to the subject, great for beginners looking to learn and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Psychology Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Psychology, with: - More than 100 ground-breaking ideas in this field of science - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Psychology Book is the perfect introduction to the science, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you’ll discover key concepts by psychologists who have significantly enhanced our understanding of the human mind and behavior. Learn about everyone who’s contributed to the big ideas in psychology, incorporating the ideas of today’s scientists as well those of the ancient philosophers and pioneers. Your Psychology Questions, Simply Explained If you thought it was difficult to learn psychology and its many concepts, The Psychology Book presents the key ideas in a clear layout. Learn about the key personalities of the 19th and 20th centuries whose work has made significant contributions to our understanding of human behavior. Fantastic mind maps and step-by-step summaries explain the line of thought clearly for students of psychology and for anyone with a general interest in understanding the human mind. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Psychology Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

Concern about psychology’s fragmentation is not new, but there has for the past decade been increasing calls for psychologists to acknowledge to the costs associated with fragmentation and to search for ways to unify the discipline. A New Unified Theory of Psychology introduces a new system that addresses psychology’s current theoretical and philosophical difficulties. The new theory consists of four interlocking pieces that together provide—for the first time—a macro-level view that clarifies the nature of psychology’s problems and offers a clear way to unify the various elements of the field. The unified theory provides the field of psychology with a well-defined subject matter, allowing both academic and professional psychologists will be able to develop a shared language and conceptual foundation.

This market-leading text emphasizes future consumers of psychological research, uses real-world examples drawn from popular media, and develops students’ critical-thinking skills as they become systematic interrogators of information in their everyday lives.

Bridges the gap between today's entertainment-focused “pop psychology” on television and the dry academic research that is published in journals. A primer on human behavior and psychology. The Handy Psychology Answer Book helps answer why humans do what we do through accurate scientific data presented in a lively, accessible, and engaging way. It covers the fundamentals and explains the psychology behind how people deal with money, sex, morality, family, children, aging, addiction, work, and other everyday issues. It takes a journey through the history and science of psychology and showing how psychology affects us all. Fully revised to reflect the latest scientific research—such as the current DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association); the latest neurobiological theories; and the changing face of marriage—this timely reference has expanded to include information sections on the biology and evolution of emotions; technology and adolescence; bisexuality; optimism; autism; as well as a full section on the law, eyewitness testimony and police shootings. Featuring more than 1,500 answers to questions concerning how the human mind and the science of psychology really work, this fascinating guide delivers the real facts of modern psychology, along with fun factoids and thought-provoking insights into what motivates human behavior. This intriguing exploration provides insights into the current science of the mind by answering questions such as: How have other cultures addressed psychological issues? Why was Freud so focused on sex? How do twin studies help illuminate the role of genetics? How can I maintain a healthy brain? Why do some people hear voices that aren’t really there? Why do children see monsters in the closet at night? How have recent changes in technology affected adolescent development? Why does time seem to speed up as we age? Is it normal to argue during marriage? Does religion make people happier? How do we reduce social prejudice? How has morality changed over the course of history? What are the personality traits of people who succeed in their professions? Why do so many politicians get trapped in scandals? Does genetics play a role in voting behavior? Which therapies are best for which kinds of problems? How might the stress of police work affect decision-making in high stress situations? The Handy Psychology Answer Book also includes a helpful glossary of terms, complete reference sources for topics discussed, and an index. With a wide range of information suitable for everyone, this is the ideal source for anyone looking to get a better understanding of psychology. It provides clear answers on the history, basic science and latest research, and psychology behind everyday situations and at different stages in life.

In ancient China, a revered Taoist sage named Zhuangzi told many parables. In Existential Psychology and the Way of the Tao, a selection of these parables will be featured. Following each parable, an eminent existential psychologist will share a personal and scholarly reflection on the meaning and relevance of the parable for psychotherapy and contemporary life. The major tenets of Zhuangzi's philosophy are featured. Taoist concepts of emptiness, stillness, Wu Wei (i.e. intentional non-intentionality), epistemology, dreams and the nature of reality, character building in the midst of pain, meaning and the centrality of relationships, authenticity, self-care, the freedom that can come from one's willingness to confront death, spiritual freedom, and gradations of therapeutic care are topics highlighted in this book.

Socrates, Plato, Descartes, Spinoza, Mesmer, William James, Pavlov, Freud, Piaget, Erikson, and Skinner. Each of these thinkers recognized that human beings could examine, comprehend, and eventually guide or influence their own thought processes, emotions, and resulting behavior. The lives and accomplishments of these pillars of psychology, expertly assembled by Morton Hunt, are set against the times in which the subjects lived. Hunt skillfully presents dramatic and lucid accounts of the techniques and validity of centuries of psychological research, and of the methods and effectiveness of major forms of psychotherapy. Fully revised, and incorporating the dramatic developments of the last fifteen years, The Story of Psychology is a graceful and absorbing chronicle of one of the great human inquiries—the search for the true causes of our behavior.

Research Methods in Psychology: A Handbook is a versatile guide that is ideal for any research-oriented psychology course. Schweigert’s clear writing style and focus on the fundamentals of research methodology provide students with the exposure they need to conduct valid research. Explanations of basic statistical techniques are straightforward and illuminate the impact of the design process. Suitable as a primary text or as a supplement, the Fourth Edition features and defines commonly used research methods to engage students and give instructors the flexibility they require to meet the needs of their courses. Notable features: • learning goals, chapter outlines, highlighted important terms and concepts, and exercises (along with a selected set of answers) • describes the important processes of preparing, conducting, and publishing the results of a research study • discusses how to perform thorough and beneficial literature and database searches online • teaches students to embrace the ethical collection and presentation of useful, accurate data in their research • reviews basic guidelines on how to write and format research results in APA Style