Discovering Psychology: The Science of Mind

Description

In this innovative approach to the Intro Psychology course, authors John Cacioppo and Laura Freberg present psychology as an integrative science that is highly relevant for students of all majors. The authors use a familiar chapter structure, providing an easy roadmap for the introductory psychology course, but the similarities with other approaches to introductory psychology end there. Integration extends in two directions, highlighting connections within psychology as well as between psychology and other disciplines. The writing and features are smart and engaging, and consistently illustrate the benefit of using multiple perspectives within psychology. Cacioppo and Freberg offer the best science possible, including exciting new research findings likely to expand students' understanding of psychology as a scientific field of study. Features and images coordinate with and enhance the text, providing many additional opportunities for critical thinking and connecting ideas. Psychology is evolving into an integrative, multidisciplinary field, and the introductory course offers instructors and professors an opportunity to teach all of psychology in one place and at one time. Cacioppo and Freberg offer a way to present a cohesive understanding of psychology as a highly interconnected and relevant hub science.

John T. Cacioppo is the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. He is a past President of several scientific societies, including the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for Social Neuroscience, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and the Society for Psychophysiological Research, and a past Chair of the Psychology Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Among the awards he has received are the Troland Award from the National Academy of Sciences, the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association, a MERIT Award from the National Institutes of Health, the Scientific Impact Award from the Society of Experimental Social Psychology, the Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions from the Society for Psychophysiological Research, and the Campbell Award and the Theoretical Innovation Prize from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Cacioppo is a Member of the President's Committee on the National Medal of Science; the Chair of the Board of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences at the National Research Council and a Member of the National Science Foundation Advisory Committee for the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate; and a former Member of both the Council for the NIH Center for Scientific Review and the Council for the National Institute on Aging. Laura A. Freberg (Ph.D., UCLA) is Professor of Psychology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she teaches courses in Introductory Psychology, Biological Psychology, and Sensation and Perception. Laura's teaching career began when she taught her first college course at Pasadena City College at the age of 23. To better understand the needs of the online education community, she also teaches a variety of psychology courses for Argosy University Online. Laura has received Faculty Member of the Year recognition from Cal Poly Disabilities Resource Center three times (1991, 1994, and 2009) for her work with students with disabilities. She enjoys using technology and social media in the classroom, and is a Google Glass Explorer. Laura serves as the Content Expert Writer for Psychology for Answers.com and as the Bylaws and Archives Committee Chair for the Society for Social Neuroscience. She is a member of the editorial board for Leadership Quarterly. With John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago, she is the co-author of two editions of DISCOVERING PSYCHOLOGY: THE SCIENCE OF MIND (Cengage Learning).

"I would say that [Discovering Psychology] is very engaging and written in a way that is highly accessible. I think its main strength is that it does a really good job of highlighting the most interesting elements of psychology, and providing a 'first taste' of what psychology is like. I would also say that it does an excellent job highlighting the ways in which psychology is relevant to people's daily lives and to the things that people spend their time thinking about on a regular basis. I would also mention that the examples and research are very current and make the text feel even more relevant as a result." "This text is modern in a way that is interesting and compelling to students, keeps their interest, and allows them to connect psychology to research and their everyday lives while also covering all of the important content." "This thorough introductory textbook highlights the application of psychology to a variety of sciences and emphasizes the need to look holistically at psychological issues. The authors selected interesting, current topics that relate to students' lives and provide opportunities for critical thinking. This textbook covers all of the required material for an intro course but does so in an innovative way. Finally-a textbook with useful sidebars that complement and strengthen the text rather than just fill up space!!"