Psychology: Themes and Variations, Brief Edition (with Concept Charts and InfoTrac) (Available Titles CengageNOW) - Softcover

Weiten, Wayne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0534632882 ISBN 13: 9780534632885

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 2004

Synopsis

In PSYCHOLOGY: THEMES AND VARIATIONS, BRIEFER VERSION, Sixth Edition, Weiten continues his proven combination of a scientifically rigorous text with selective pedagogy that makes learning easy for students. Weiten's approach is backed by a straightforward writing style, unparalleled in-text visuals and didactic art program, and in-book review to help students prioritize and retain the core concepts. Wayne Weiten surveys psychology's broad range of content with three aims: to illuminate the process of research and its intrinsic relationship to application (THEMES); to show both the unity and diversity of the subject (VARIATIONS), and to invite students to the study of psychology by respecting their ability to master its fundamental concepts. Weiten's Themes and Variations provide unifying threads across chapters that help students to see the connections among different research areas in psychology. Integrative themes-including empiricism, theoretical diversity, sociohistorical contexts, multifactorial causation, cultural heritage, heredity and environment, and subjectivity of experience-are woven throughout the text to provide connections among the different areas of research in psychology. The book's dynamic, teaching-oriented illustration program further enhances these themes. Weiten reinforces concepts through exercises that appear at the end of every chapter. At the same time, the author presents topics in a hierarchical manner, giving students handles they can use to prioritize concepts within the chapter.

About this title

About the Author

Wayne Weiten is a graduate of Bradley University and received his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Illinois, Chicago, in 1981. He currently teaches at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has received distinguished teaching awards from Division Two of the American Psychological Association (APA) and from the College of DuPage, where he taught until 1991. He is a Fellow of Divisions 1 and 2 of the American Psychological Association. In 1991, he helped chair the APA National Conference on Enhancing the Quality of Undergraduate Education in Psychology and in 1996-1997 he served as President of the Society for the Teaching of Psychology. Wayne Weiten has conducted research on a wide range of topics, including educational measurement, jury decision making, attribution theory, stress, and cerebral specialization. His recent interests have included pressure as a form of stress and the technology of textbooks. He is also the co-author of Psychology Applied to Modern Life (Wadsworth, 2006) and the creator of an educational CD-ROM titled PsykTrek: A Multimedia Introduction to Psychology.

Review

"The section on current trends and issues in treatment (chapter 14) is novel for an introductory psychology book. It is one thing that sets this textbook apart. Very good. The history of mental hospitals and related issues is particularly well done." "The critical thinking application is a great way for the students to consider the prevalence of mental illness, and is well done."

"I have been favorable impressed with the (this) psychology textbook since its earliest editions. The book is 'user friendly' and does an excellent job of introducing the student to the diverse and engaging field of psychology. This upcoming edition appears to continue and expand upon the excellent text now in use."

"I liked how Weiten tied in thory with research findings. For example, in the development chapter, the section 'Time of Turmoil' was the first time I have seen an author successfully tie together the issues of suicide and violence during adolesence..."

"I also get the sense that Weiten truly had my community college students in mind when he wrote the material and developed the pedagogical aids."

"(Weiten's chapter 2) The author exhibits enthusiasm and academic seriousness in a writing style that is clear, concise and purposeful. Explanations are thorough but there are not wasted words. Overall, I am impressed with the organization and cohesiveness found throughout the chapter. It is clear that the author not only has a plan but he actually follows it." "The 'Critical Thinking Application' at the end of each chapter is on e of my favorite parts of the textbook. The author has done an excellent job of selecting issues that students can relate to in their daily lives."

Edition details

• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0534632882
• ISBN 13: 9780534632885
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 6
• Number of pages: 672