Psychology Science & Understanding (Study Guide)

Psychology: Science & Understanding is the first Introductory Psychology textbook that provides full in-depth coverage of the biological factors in behavior without sacrificing environmental factors. As part of this biological and evolutionary emphasis neurophysiology is covered,with relevant figures,in every chapter of the book. Scholarly,up to date coverage of current research,theory and applications is presented in the context of classic ideas and well established bodies of evidence. In addition,the book has a clear emphasis on the future of psychology as a discipline. Every chapter contains a 21st Century box that extrapolates on existing scientific theory and research to allow for a reasonable projection of likely future research and application in that area. Barry Smith's Psychology: Science & Understanding is a winning combination of scientific rigor,engaging and clear explanation,and up to date research that will set a new standard for introductory psychology textbooks.

Barry Smith's Psychology: Science & Understanding sets the new standard in the balance of biology and environment for students of Introductory Psychology. Smith brings the true science of psychology to the introductory course for the first time and does so in a way that students will understand and be inspired.

Barry Smith is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he has also been Acting Chair of the department and Director of Undergraduate Studies. The recipient of the Distinguished Teacher/Mentor Award, he has regularly taught introductory psychology, as well as graduate and undergraduate courses in personality, statistics, research design, and, most recently, biopsychology. He has authored and edited several earlier books, including Theories of Personality (1991), and has published numerous articles and chapters in major professional journals and handbooks. A Fellow of the International Organization of Psychophysiologists, Barry has for many years conducted a program of psychophysiological research in his Laboratory of Human Psychophysiology at the University of Maryland and in laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. His theories of arousal and of the lateralized neural processing of emotion have been the subject of a considerable amount of research over the years.