Introduction to Psychology (with InfoTrac) - Hardcover

Kalat, James W.

3.85

185 ratings by Goodreads

9780534355784: Introduction to Psychology (with InfoTrac)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0534355781 ISBN 13: 9780534355784

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 1998

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In this thorough revision of his best-selling text, Jim Kalat continues to do far more than cover psychology's major theories and studies--he encourages students to question the information before them and ask themselves, "How was this conclusion reached? Does the evidence really support that conclusion?" Kalat teaches students to separate what sounds plausible from what can be backed up with scientific evidence and how to tell the difference between sound and flawed evidence. Kalat continues to succeed in getting students involved in using the scientific method to question assertions, and in engaging students to want to know more. Like no other author, Kalat is able to speak directly to students, and draws them into psychological concepts and information in a way that actually changes the way they look at assertions and facts. Kalat's engaging and involving writing style-coupled with humor, personal anecdotes, and exercises students can try themselves-helps make the Fifth Edition an exceptional learning tool. Jim Kalat's hallmark is the way he organizes the material for student comprehension. In this edition, Kalat again uses a modular organization that provides logical breaks within chapters, helping students manage the material for easy comprehension and providing a more flexible teaching tool for instructors.

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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.

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.'"

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