Handbook of Psychology: 7 Volume Set

Review:

...the volumes in this set are all engagingly written and visually appealing...a good choice for school and public library circulating collections, for both beginning researchers and the general reader.
 — Booklist

Human behavior is an endlessly fascinating subject, and psychology is the science dedicated to understanding the basics of human behavior and mental processes. The brand-new Viva-Facts On File Handbook of Psychology set helps students learn more about such concepts as perception, cognition, attention, emotion, motivation, personality, relationships, and much more. In seven full-color volumes, readers are given a comprehensive survey of psychology—from its earliest scholars and practitioners to the development of its various methods and theories and up to the most recent research of the 21st century.

Written in engaging and accessible prose by experts in the field, and enhanced with fascinating boxed features and a glossary in each volume, this set provides a ready reference for students and researchers interested in this popular field of study.

Volume 1:  History, Perspectives, and Applications

Psychological ideas originated in ancient philosophy, but psychology entered the realm of science just over a century ago with applications to help people shortly afterward. History, Perspectives, and Applications traces the path of psychology through philosophy and biology into a vibrant discipline that deals with the process of development, socialization, learning, abnormal behavior, and cultural influences. Throughout psychology's history, there has been a constant interplay between social forces and psychological theories. Written in engaging and accessible prose by experts in the field, this new, full-color resource is perfect for anyone interested in this fascinating field of study.

Contents:

PREFACE • Introduction • Psychology: A Long Past and a Short History • Behaviorism: A Revolution in the Science of Psychology • The Roots of Personality Theory: Psychodynamic Psychology • Measuring the Mind: Individual Differences and the Beginnings of Psychological Testing • The Humanistic Perspective: Psychology's Third Force • Cognitive Psychology: Revolution or Evolution? • Neuroscience and Biopsychology: The Final Frontier? • A Psychology of All People: The Sociocultural Approach • Psychology Goes to Work: Applications and Careers • Summing Up: Psychology in Perspective • Glossary • Bibliography • INDEX

About the Author:

Kenneth D. Keith received his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska and is currently a professor at the University of San Diego and serves as Chief Reader for the College Board national Advanced Placement Psychology program. Keith has authored or  co-authored more than 90 publications, including numerous book chapters and articles appearing in such journals as Teaching of Psychology, International Review of Research in Mental Retardation, American Psychologist, American Journal of Family Therapy, Psychology Teacher Network, Contemporary Psychology, Streams of William James, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, and Mental Retardation.

Volume 2: Methods and Measurements

Psychologists use diverse methods to study thought and behavior. Methods and Measurements highlights the different ways that psychology researchers ask questions and how they attempt to answer them. The methodologies include experiments that help assess cause and effect, correlational studies to show relationships among complex behaviors, questionnaires to evaluate attitudes and behaviors, observational studies to find out about naturally occurring behaviors, and other approaches. This new, full-color volume also discusses the ethics of doing research with people and how researchers have sometimes violated ethical standards as they subjected people to physical and psychological harm.

Contents:

Preface • The Nature of Psychological Research • Experiment s in Psychology • Correlations: Searching for Relationships in Research • Survey Research • Ethics in Research • Psychological Testing • Measurement in Psychology • Glossary • Bibliography • Index

About the Author:

Bernard C. Beins received his Ph.D. from the City University of New York and is a professor of psychology at Ithaca College. A recipient of the Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching Award, his publications include Best Practices: Beginning and Ending the Psychology Major and Research Methods: A Tool for Life.

Volume 3:  Brain and Mind

According to scientists, the human brain is the most complex structure in the universe. The new Brain and Mind is a fascinating look at how psychologists have studied its structure and function extensively, showing the compelling interplay between various parts of the brain and how they interact to produce our behaviors that emerge so normally and naturally. Through innovative, computer-based techniques, including an understanding of differences in brain functioning associated with both normal and abnormal thought and behavior, this full-color resource examines the ways research on the brain has led to extensive knowledge of how the brain functions.

Contents:

Preface • Physiological Methods of Studying Behavior • Cellular Physiology of The Nervous System Function • The Role of Hormones and Neurotransmitters in Behavior • Sensory and Perceptual Systems • The ?Minor? Senses • The Major Senses: Audition and Vision • Psychoactive Drugs • Glossary • Bibliography • Index

About the Author:

Michael Kerchner received his Ph.D. from Lehigh University and is currently a professor at Washington College. His research has been published in journals such as Brain Research and Behavioral and Neural Biology.

Volume 4:  Learning and Thinking

People naturally react to and learn about the world around them without giving it much thought or, at times, even being aware that learning is taking place. Learning and Thinking describes how that learning happens—discussing some of the stumbling blocks to effective learning, how people learn and use language, and how our thought processes sometimes guide our behavior and are affected by our behavior. In addition, this new, full-color book describes the abilities of people with exceptional memories and other cognitive abilities.

Contents:

Preface • Memory • Reasoning and Problem Solving • Language • Intelligence • Learning: Classical and Operant Conditioning • The Biology of Thinking • Glossary • Bibliography • Index

About the Authors:

Bernard C. Beins received his Ph.D. from the City University of New York and is a professor of psychology at Ithaca College. A recipient of the Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching Award, his publications include Best Practices: Beginning and Ending the Psychology Major and Research Methods: A Tool for Life.

Christopher M. Hakala received his Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire and is currently a professor at Western New England University.

Volume 5:  Developmental Psychology

People undergo vast changes in a lifespan. Developmental Psychology shows how we change as we gradually move from infancy into childhood and, ultimately, through adulthood and old age. The processes of development are affected both by the environment and by our genetic makeup in complex and interesting ways. The development of our ultimate ways of thinking, socializing, and feeling result from the world we encounter as we move through life.

Contents:

Preface • The Scientific Study of Human Development • Prenatal Development and Birth • Infant and Toddler Development • Development During Early Childhood • Development During Middle Childhood • Development During Adolescence and Young Adulthood • Development During Adulthood • Glossary • Bibliography • Index

About the Author:

Lynn M. Shelley received her Ph.D. from Fordham University and is currently a professor at Westfield State University. Her research has been published in journals such as Adoption Research Quarterly and the Journal of Homosexuality.

Volume 6:  Personality and Abnormal Psychology

Psychological scientists have identified various patterns of abnormal behavior and are beginning to understand some of the reasons behind them and how to treat people displaying them. The person we become is affected by more factors than we can ever possibly be aware of Personality and Abnormal Psychology describes how psychological research has led to the understanding of many of those factors and how our personalities develop. One of the persistent questions involves how and why people show abnormal thought and behavior. Written in engaging and accessible prose, this new, full-color resource is enhanced with fascinating boxed features and a glossary.

Contents:

Preface • Understanding Personality • Understanding Abnormal Behavior • Assessing Personality and Psychological Disorders • Classifying Psychological Disorders • Treating Psychological Disorders • Contemporary Issues in Personality and Abnormal Psychology • Glossary • Bibliography • Index

About the Author:

Janet F. Carlson received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fordham University and is currently a Research Professor in the Buros Center for Testing at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. A licensed psychologist in New York State and Nebraska, she serves as Associate Director of the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.

Volume 7:  Social Psychology

We are social animals. Social Psychology illustrates how psychologists have produced a startling array of knowledge about how people act and react in social situations. Social behaviors are affected by thought and emotion, by our cultural heritage, by the groups with which we affiliate, and by our expectations of what is likely to happen when we deal with others.

Contents:

Preface • Introduction • Behavior in Groups • Attitudes and Attitude Change • Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience • Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination • Relationships • Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior • Glossary • Bibliography • Index

About the Authors:

Jeffrey D. Holmes received his Ph.D. from the University of Akron and is currently a professor at Ithaca College. His research has appeared in journals such as Basic and Applied Social Psychology and Teaching of Psychology.

Sheila K. Singh received her Ph.D. from the University of Akron and currently works at the counseling center of Cornell University.

Target Audience:

People interested in Psychology.