Cengage Advantage Books: Kagan and Segal's Psychology: An Introduction (with InfoTrac) (Available Titles CengageNOW) - Softcover

Don Baucum; Carolyn D. Smith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0155081144 ISBN 13: 9780155081147

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 2003

Synopsis

This value-priced paperback combines brevity, clarity, rigor and relevance to adeptly cover the core topics in psychology. Continuing with the character and spirit of previous editions, Don Baucum and Carolyn Smith join Jerome Kagan and Julius Segal to create a streamlined text with a free integrated study guide. The text follows a developmental theme, with an emphasis on diversity coverage and critical thinking. In many chapters, the developmental theme is highlighted by a Life Span Perspective feature that shows students the relevance of chapter topics to the development of a human life, and that helps them make connections between themes discussed in different chapters. Personal applications and real-life examples are included throughout the text to engage students in every key topic area.

About this title

About the Author:

Don Baucum is an Associate Professor and a member of the primary faculty of the Department of Psychology at UAB. His Ph.D. is in General Experimental Psychology, with extensive training in clinical psychology as well. He currently divides his professional time between teaching and writing. Courses include personality, social psychology, introductory statistics, research methods, developmental psychology, psychology of learning, and various others--along with numerous offerings of introductory psychology. Writing efforts include two other textbooks as co-author, plus two general psychology surveys and assorted study materials as author. In his words, "Psychology is what I do, and I'll always enjoy doing it. But I also have that half-finished novel in the computer...."

Carolyn Smith, a freelance writer, is the author of THE ABSENTEE AMERICAN and STRANGERS AT HOME, and co-editor of IN THE FIELD: READINGS ON THE FIELD RESEARCH EXPERIENCE. She has also lent her writing expertise to other psychology texts child development.

Review:

"It (Kagan) is one of the most comprehensive General Psychology texts that I have previewed. Its' multicultural focus is extensive and incorporates many diverse and thought-provoking issues. The test provides students with a venue for opinion formation, analysis of current cultural issues, and initial development of potential research agendas."

"Initial chapter information is presented in an attention-grabbing introduction, and is then strategically interwoven throughout the remaining chapter, expanded upon, and finally, carefully reviewed at the end of the chapter in a concise summary with application "Test Yourself" questions. This strategy greatly aids students in retaining/comprehending the material."

"I would describe this (text) as a general psychology book that reads well and should appeal to both advanced and non-advanced students, which is a heck of an accomplishment. It covers the right amount of material, neither overwhelming the readers nor dumbing things down for them."

"Key strengths include a strong, yet simple to understand, view of biological mechanisms that influence behavior. There is an excellent empirical backbone throughout the text."

"By and large, the book is written at precisely the right level for an introductory psychology class. Its blend of theory and application is balanced beautifully."

About this edition

• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0155081144
• ISBN 13: 9780155081147
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 736