David G. Myers Professor of Psychology, Hope College.
Summary
Through five editions of this best-selling text, David Myers has guided millions of students through their introduction
of psychology. The tour always includes the latest research and teaching innovations, and is always marked by Myers'
genuine love of communicating the field's major ideas to an uninitiated audience. The Sixth Edition combines hallmark
features (clear, compelling narrative; an integrated critical thinking theme; a superior art program) with responsive
and engaging new features and a variety of spectacular, new media supplements.
Features
A clear, engaging writing style that clearly communicates the concepts of psychology, the excitement of the
science, and what drives the people in this discipline. BENEFIT: Students can clearly understand and enjoy reading
his text. Instructors can be confident that the book helps them meet their teaching and course goals. TEXT EXAMPLES:
28, 67, 114-115, 287,
An integrated critical thinking theme, introduced in Chapter 1, "Thinking Critically With Psychological
Science," integrated throughout the narrative and studied in further depth in periodic "Thinking Critically
About�" boxes." Myers presents research as intellectual detective work, exemplifying an inquiring, analytical
mindset. BENEFIT: Whether studying statistics, development, or cognition, students will become involved in and
see the rewards of critical reasoning. TEXT EXAMPLES: XIX in the Preface, definition of critical thinking on page
17, language on the brain on pages 69-70, depth perception activities on pages 216-217, use of the generic pronoun
"he" on pages 381-382, evaluating psychotherapies on pages 581-582)
Up-to-date research presented in a way that reflects the process of inquiry and shows students how the science
of psychology continues to expand.
Thoroughly integrated coverage of behavior genetics and evolutionary psychology throughout the book. TEXT
EXAMPLES: Refer to the table on page XVII in the book's Preface.
Strong integration of cultural and gender diversity coverage, which meets the needs of today's more diverse
classroom. TEXT EXAMPLES: R efer to table on page XVII in the book's Preface.]
A strikingly effective pedagogical program. Myers encourages the PRTR study method throughout the book: (Preview,
Read, Think Critically, Review). PRTR is introduced on pages 10-11 ("Studying Psychology") and revisited
on pages 354-355 ("Improving Memory"). Myers facilitates this effective, critical thinking-oriented study
system with the following features: 1. Each chapter begins with an outline that helps students preview what is
upcoming, and each main section begins with a two- or three-sentence Preview of the section. 2. Chapters are divided
into three to five main sections of readable length. 3. The chapter narratives, "Thinking Critically About�"
boxes, and section-ending "Reflect Questions" encourage students to think about what they are learning.
4. To assist students' reviewing, each main section ends with a summary review and a "Review Question"
that helps students test themselves on the take-home message from the section. 5. The chapter ends with an organized
review of key terms.]
An outstanding supplements and media package that includes a variety of tools for both professors and students
to aid in the teaching and learning process.
New to this Edition
New! Chapter 3, "Nature and Nurture of Behavior " offers a developmentally-oriented introduction
to the influences of "nature" on behavior--our genes and evolutionary history--as well as the considerable
effects of "nurture"--our environments, culture and gender. This chapter provides a clear, balanced view
of each perspective and a terrific bridge between the biological (Chapter 2) and developmental (Chapter 4) content.
New! Chapter 1, "Thinking Critically With Psychological Science," includes new coverage of statistics
principles. Myers clearly explains what psychologists DO with data after collecting it--how data is interpreted
by statistics and why statistical reasoning is so important in everyday life. This coverage replaces the Appendix,
and provides a more integrated treatment of research and statistics.
New! Streamlined coverage of development. Chapters 3 and 4 have been combined into Chapter 4, which explores
development across the life span. This new chapter is complemented well by new Chapter 3, which takes a developmental
approach as well.
New! Over 800 NEW references and data have been added to the Sixth Edition, including a large number of 2000
references. Additionally, as new studies emerge after the text's publication, David Myers will report relevant
findings and research on the Companion Web site (Close Up Sections).
New! Completely revised design improves readability and student understanding. Myers now has a new, one-column
design with a terrific graphics program. The Sixth Edition is ultimately more readable, and better helps students
dissect comprehend information. Myers still includes the ever-popular marginal notes, quotations, and cartoons
for student enjoyment.
New! The writing has been thoroughly examined (word-by-word, chapter-by-chapter), reviewed, and revised. Myers'
mentor, poet Jack Ridl�read every word in every chapter of the Fifth Edition. David Myers has incorporated his
suggestions and worked through each chapter meticulously. Numerous changes have been made in response to adopter
and reviewer suggestions as well.
New! "Review and Reflect" sections, located at the end of each chapter, promote comprehension and
critical thinking. Each contains a summary paragraph for the section, a review question on section content (answers
are located at the end of chapter), and a reflect question, which asks students to apply their own life experiences
to make what they're learning more meaningful, and memorable.
Prenatal Development and the Newborn
Infancy and Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Reflections on the Major Developmental Issues
5. SENSATION
Sensing the World: Some Basic Principles
Vision
Hearing
The Other Senses
Sensory Restriction
6. PERCEPTION
Selective Attention
Perceptual Illusions
Perceptual Organization
Perceptual Interpretation
Is There Extrasensory Perception?
7. STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Waking Consciousness
Sleep and Dreams
Hypnosis
Drugs and Consciousness
Near-Death Experiences
8. LEARNING
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Learning by Observation
9. MEMORY
The Phenomenon of Memory
Encoding: Getting Information In
Storage: Retaining Information
Retrieval: Getting Information Out
Forgetting
Memory Construction
Improving Memory
10. THINKING AND LANGUAGE
Thinking
Language
Thinking and Language
Animal Thinking and Language
11. INTELLIGENCE
The Origins of Intelligence Testing
What Is Intelligence?
Assessing Intelligence
The Dynamics of Intelligence
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence
12. MOTIVATION
Motivational Concepts
Hunger
Sexual Motivation
The Need to Belong
Achievement Motivation
13. EMOTION
Theories of Emotion
The Physiology of Emotion
Expressing Emotion
Experiencing Emotion
14. PERSONALITY
The Psychoanalytic Perspective
The Trait Perspective
The Humanistic Perspective
The Social-Cognitive Perspective
15. PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Perspectives on Psychological Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Mood Disorders
Schizophrenia
Personality Disorders
Rates of Psychological Disorders
16. THERAPY
The Psychological Therapies
Evaluating Psychotherapies
The Biomedical Therapies
Preventing Psychological Disorders
