Aimed at those new to the subject, Fundamentals of Psychology is a clear and reader-friendly textbook that will help students explore and understand the essentials of psychology. This text offers a balanced and accurate representation of the discipline through a highly accessible synoptic approach, which seamlessly brings together all the various related topics.
Fundamentals of Psychology combines an authoritative tone, a huge range of psychological material and an informal, analogy-rich style. The text expertly blends admirably up-to-date empirical research and real-life examples and applications, and is both readable and factually dense. The book introduces all the main approaches to psychology, including social, developmental, cognitive, biological, individual differences, and abnormal psychology, as well as psychological research methods. However, it also includes directions for more detailed and advanced study for the interested student.
Fundamentals of Psychology incorporates many helpful textbook features which will aid students and reinforce learning, such as:
- Key-term definitions
- Extremely clear end-of-chapter summaries
- Annotated further reading sections
- Evaluations of significant research findings
- Numerous illustrations presented in attractive full color.
This textbook is also accompanied by a comprehensive program of resources for both students and instructors, which is available free to qualifying adopters. The resources include a web-based Student Learning Program, as well as chapter-by-chapter lecture slides and an interactive chapter-by-chapter multiple-choice question test bank.
Combining exceptional content, abundant pedagogical features, and a lively full-color design, Fundamentals of Psychology is an essential resource for anyone new to the subject and more particularly those beginning undergraduate courses. The book will also be ideal for students studying psychology within education, nursing and other healthcare professions.
1. Introduction. 2. Historical and Conceptual Issues. Part 1. Introduction to Biological Psychology. 3. Human Motivation. 4. Emotion, Stress, and Coping. 5. States of Awareness. Part 2. Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. 6. Visual Perception and Attention. 7. Conditioning and Learning. 8. Human Memory. 9. Thinking: Problem Solving and Decision Making. 10. Language. Part 3. Introduction to Individual Differences. 11. Intelligence. 12. What Does Personality Look Like? Part 4. Introduction to Developmental Psychology. 13. Cognitive Development: Specific Abilities. 14. Theories of Cognitive Development. 15. Social Development in Everyday Life. 16. Attachments and Friendships. Part 5. Introduction to Social Psychology. 17. Social Cognition. 18. Social Behavior and Relationships. 19. Group Processes. 20. Intergroup Processes. Part 6. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology. 21. Approaches to Abnormality. 22. Therapeutic Approaches. Part 7. Introduction to Research Methods. 23. Psychological Inquiry. 24. Design of Investigations. 25. Data Analysis.
Biography
Michael W. Eysenck is one of the best-known psychologists in Europe. He is Professor of Psychology at Royal Holloway University of London, one of the leading psychology departments in the United Kingdom. Altogether he has written more than 35 books and over 150 articles and book chapters.
"The sheer breadth and scope of this book is amazing. ... Not only does this book boast an exceptional amount of content, it is also written in a way that will help students to reinforce their learning ... What is particularly striking about this book is the clear and attractive way in which it is set out. Full of colour, diagrams, and tables, this book is a joy to read." – Dr. Sue Wilkinson, Learning and Teaching Development Unit, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff in Psychology: Learning and Teaching
"Eysenck is one of the best known psychologists in Europe and perhaps the best known A-Level psychology writer, and this book has seemed a long time coming for fans of his clear, authoritative style. ... This book serves its purpose well; providing those new to psychology with a concise, informative text on theories and research, a succinct glossary and three chapters on research methods covering everything from measures of dispersion through to how to write a psychology report. As if we expected anything less." - Kelly Bristow, Henley College, Oxfordshire, in The Psychologist
"In my opinion Eysenck is the finest textbook author in the world at this level. The sheer breadth of material with which he is comfortable is most impressive, and he has a unique ability to communicate complex and contemporary material so as to make it accessible and interesting." - Matt Jarvis,Visiting Tutor in Education, Southampton and Keele Universities, UK
"This must be surely one of the most comprehensive psychology textbooks in existence. It covers the diverse and multi-leveled discipline that psychology is and it does so in a highly sophisticated yet also readable and interesting way. I appreciated the historical perspective, and the focus on long-standing issues that perplexed and fascinated psychological scientists over the years, and found new framings with the introduction of new methods and techniques of inquiry." - Arie W. Kruglanski, Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland, USA
"Twenty years ago Eysenck revolutionized the teaching of cognitive psychology with his most helpful Handbook in which thoroughness was combined with clarity of exposition. In the present book the author repeats this achievement for general psychology. Eysenck has picked out the most interesting and inspiring illustrations of the topics typically included in introductory books. … On every other page I came across a new study, a new insight or a new twist, which I ticked for future use in my lectures." - Marc Brysbaert, Ghent University, Belgium
"Eysenck's text balances conceptual sophistication with clear writing and useful summary evaluations, keeping the material accessible. Up-to-date perspectives include the social identity approach to many topics in social psychology. Above all, rather than arbitrarily separating social versus cognitive levels of analysis, the integrated treatment addresses topics like social influences on decision making." - Eliot R. Smith, Chancellor's Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University,USA
"Eysenck has written a thorough yet engaging introduction to the science of psychology. The book speaks with a unified voice, pulling in historical examples where they are important, yet still covering cutting-edge research of recent years. He does not shy away from controversial issues in the field, but covers them evenhandedly. The last three chapters on research methods are excellent; I strongly recommend this book." - Henry L. Roediger III, Washington University in St. Louis, USA
