Psychology: Essential Thinkers, Classic Theories, and How They Inform Your World

A reliable and "user-friendly" reference book, with entries ranging from Descartes to Aaron Beck ( the influential cognitive-behaviorist) and lots in between. It can be read consecutively as a survey or consulted on an as-needed basis as a reference book. Major theorists are presented chronologically within specialized areas. For example, the book begins with the "Biological" perspective which is then presented in chronological order of major theorists (from Descartes in the 17rh century to William James in the early 20th). The same template is used for Behaviorism, Psychotherapy (which includes psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy and humanistic theories like those of Abraham Maslow). Each entry includes a section on how the theory or theories might apply to readers in everyday life. This may help facilitate understanding of often-abstract ideas.Following the major theorists are entries on specialized sub-fields including Developmental Pyschology, Personality Theories and Abnormal Psych (among others) Finally, several entries on psychological disorders bring the book to a close. A timeline is included at the beginning of the book, and a glossary at the end. The kindle TOC is active and easy to navigate. The entries are, of course, simplified and selective in order to meet the demands of the ambitious format. But what is discussed is discussed very competently by clinical psychologist and self-help author, Andrea Bonior. I admit that the omission of Neuroscience seems like a glaring omission given its current importance, but constraints of space probably made any meaningful inclusion of it difficult.Overall, undergraduate students taking psychology courses, and curious casual readers will surely appreciate such a serviceable reference book as this.

A clear, effective, and informational overview of the big thinkers and ideas in psychology. Each section is split into a general history and description, how the topic influenced other thinkers, and how the ideas apply to our own lives -- Bonior is an inviting and warm teacher, and obviously very sympathetic to her clients and her readers. As a midpoint between a full blown encyclopedic textbook and a general overview, it's great; I knew nothing about psychology outside what everyone knows, and everything was very graspable without being patronizing.It would have been nice, though, to see some more cohesion between the general topics. The book seems to propose that each type of psychology should be considered in isolation from the others (behavioral psychology and humanistic psychology are so anthithetical they need a restraining order from each other), and yet hints at the intermix real-world therapists and counselors employ to understand their clients.It also seemed odd how...anticlimactic it ended. For a textbook, it's fine, but Bonior had such an approachable, friendly tone and a well-planned trajectory through history, only to just drop the momentum and go "Ok. Here's a glossary." I don't know exactly what it needed (not a rehash chapter, definitely), but some more striking final note/lecture would've helped round off the experience.

I’m. Grad school applicant in my 30’s so it’s been a while… this has really helped me while taking my pre-reqs

I picked this because my daughter has her PhD. in Developmental Psychology and I wanted to understand some of what she studied. The short histories of key psychologists and review of different aspects of the field helped me learn more than I expected.

It’s about the human condition and methods of coping with hard reality and it’s problems. If I could choose a discipline it would be humanism.

Psychology is a nice compilation of some of the most well known thinkers out there. The sections are broken down into biological, behavioral, psychotherapy, cognitive, developmental, physiology of personality, and social psychology.You learn or get a recap of what big idea the thinkers had and how it relates us know. I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review or influenced in terms of my review. I really like how this book has a time line of some of the great thinkers and defines each type of physiology in an easy to remember way.

Like the book and I hope it will prepare me for my class this summer but it is a bit boring to read. I like that it had short stories about each person who created the theory.

This book combines the good parts of an introductory psych textbook and the DSM-V with the accessiblity of Wikipedia and the authorial voice of your coolest college professor. It's got just enough information on important thinkers, theories and conditions to help you a. determine what/who you'd like to learn more about; b. impress people who know who Noam Chomsky is; c. decode the spines of the books on your therapist's shelf. All this, without boringness or being the size of the Titanic.

This was a simple and easy to read introduction to some of the major contributors to psychology. As a non-psychologist, I'm probably the appropriate target audience. The book doesn't delve deep into each subject, but it was fine to learn the basics.

Interesting book.

Not bad, but no continuity. Is basically a set of mini-biographies with no attempt to draw the theories together.

No problems

Very interesting