Introduction to Psychology - Hardcover

Kalat, James W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0534120601 ISBN 13: 9780534120603

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc, 1990

Synopsis

Intended for introductory and general psychology courses. In this text, the author shows students that questioning assertions, challenging evidence, and evaluating results, all components of the scientific method, are second nature to the study of psychology itself. As a result, students are introduced to psychology in a way that should remain with them long after they may have forgotten specific theories, experiments or results. He uses the scientific method as a consistent theme throughout the book, beginning early on (Chapter 2) with a conceptual discussion of how psychologists think; he also introduces the four steps involved in gathering and evaluating evidence, hypothesis, method, results, and interpretation. This four step procedure is re-emphasized throughout the book in the context of specific experiments and research. To give maximum flexibility to the instructor, each chapter is divided into two-to-five freestanding modules. This organization enables instructors to pick and choose assigned reading to meet their own course syllabi.

About this title

Review

"I orginally adopted Kalats Introduction to Psychology book because I was already familiar with his Biological Psychology book, which I used for another calss. I like his writing style, and the level of his coverage is appropriate for our students. We seem to be on the same 'wavelength.' So I began using his Intro text, and have now convinced my colleagues to use it also. He is clear, amusing, at the right level, and he doesn't use too many distracting 'boxes.'" "The book is well written, well organized, and is beautiful to look at. The material is presented coherently and even-handedly and the language is clear and simple--but not simplistic. Kalat uses effective examples to illustrate the concepts under discussion. Psychology is accurately presented as a 'work in progress.' Complex issues are discussed in a reasoned, reflective, and thoughtful manner. . . The book is also elegant and beautiful. The artwork and design are superb. The book's narrative is characteristically coherent and even-handed. The tone is thoughtful. A concern for critical thinking permeates the book. I like Kalat's apparent committment to presenting psychology 'warts and all.'"

About the Author

James W. Kalat is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at North Carolina State University, where he taught courses in introduction to psychology and biological psychology from 1977 through 2012. He received an AB degree summa cum laude from Duke University and a PhD in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the author of INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (10th Edition) and co-author with Michelle Shiota of EMOTION (2nd Edition). In addition to textbooks, he has written journal articles on taste-aversion learning, the teaching of psychology, and other topics. He was twice the program chair for the annual convention of the American Psychological Society, now named the Association for Psychological Science.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0534120601
• ISBN 13: 9780534120603
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2