Psychology: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) | 
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Product Description
Psychology is part of everyone's experience: it influences the way we think about everything from education and intelligence to relationships and emotions, advertising, and criminality. People readily behave as amateur psychologists, offering explanations for what we think, feel, and do. But what exactly are psychologists trying to help us understand? What scientific grounding do they have for their approach?
In Psychology: A Very Short Introduction, Dr. Gillian Butler and Dr. Freda McManus provide an understanding of some of psychology's leading ideas and their practical relevance. The authors answer some of the most frequently asked questions about psychology including: What is psychology? How do we use what is in the mind? How does psychology work? How do we influence each other? What can or can't a psychologist do for you? Psychology is a large part of our everyday experience, and this elemental guide is a stimulating introduction for anyone interested in understanding the human mind.
About the series:
The Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects from Buddhism to Literary Theory. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each book in the series provides trenchant, provocative, yet balanced discussions on the central issues of the field, gives a readable historical account of the subject, and demonstrates how each particular area of study has developed and shaped society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering readers an affordable, accessible, and complete reference library. Stimulating and lively, the Very Short Introductions are indispensable guides and essential reading for anyone interested in the development of these influential fields.
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Customer Reviews:
• Excellent Introduction To A Fascinating Subject 10 February, 2004
This is the second book I've read it the Very Short Introduction series and it has proved to be a continued success. This is a subject that has interested me for a few years but I've never got around to finding out about properly; now I know the basics and am very interested to learn more. It is superbly written in an accessible style with witty and thought-provoking examples and simple format and balanced writing that puts forward various competing theories as well as the facts. Although it does not go into detail of theories of specific psychologists, there are whole volumes in the series of Freud and Jung, which I intend to purchase soon. This book has really opened up my mind to a fascinating topic and I am now considering studying it further. The two authors benefit from a combination of real expertise with the ability to speak to a novice. Whole-heartedly reccomended.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A33AFRVRA02BAK
• A Great Refresher 24 July, 2008
The other reviews of this book mention its benefits for those looking to fulfill their curiosity of the subject, but this small book is also a great refresher for people who have previously studied Psychology. As a teacher, I just found out I will be teaching Psychology as an elective course. I couldn't be more excited, but it has been a few years since I took courses, both at the high school and college level. This was a great, quick overview of the field that got my mind back in focus. I would highly recommend this to others.
- Reviewed by customer ID: ANU9H3ODRTURY
• A Broad Scope And A Straightforward Approach 26 June, 2005
A sleeves-rolled-up, business-like, straightforward survey of the field. Psychoanalysis is given short shrift. Freud gets a brief mention, but Jung, Adler and Reich get none at all. Not surprisingly, parapsychology, hypnotherapy and other fringe theories and therapies are also totally ignored. This is mainstream, orthodox psychology as taught at undergraduate level, the tradition that began with William James and is current in the profession.
The authors go for breadth rather than depth and manage to cover a surprising array of topics, and do so in a reliable and authoritative manner. They do slip up a couple of times, for example when mentioning linguistic relativity and reiterating the old myth about the plethora of Eskimo words for 'snow'. They wisely stay well away from the philosophical dimensions of the subject, such as the nature of consciousness. They simply use 'consciousness', 'awareness' and 'mindfulness' as if their meanings were transparent, which is fair enough in a book of this nature.
In these Very Short Introductions, space is at a premium and the few illustrations should be carefully chosen. Here we have a picture of a happy couple standing atop a hill, supposedly to illustrate the difficulty of distinguishing drives from goals. Would I be right in assuming it is actually a picture of one of the authors with a friend? A touch of irritating self-indulgence.
So, not the best entry in this series, but if you are looking for a current introduction to mainstream psychology and psychiatry, readable and informative, this is an excellent choice.
- Reviewed by customer ID: ABTUNH7645QJL
• Psychology: A Very Short Review 27 August, 2008
Psychology: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)Very helpful overview of psychology- with some particular personalities missing (Freud, for example).
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3OR56U45APITU
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