Bloomsbury Insights in Psychology series – serie

Relationships are central to our lives, influencing our health, sense of identity and happiness.In this accessible introduction, Willerton looks at how we develop and maintain relationships, piecing together insights that span health, social interaction, evolutionary origins and developmental psychology.Whatever your level of study or interest, this engaging discussion reveals how psychology can enhance your understanding of personal relationships.

As humans, we often differentiate ourselves from other animals by our intelligence and ability to learn, but are these distinctions always so simple?Covering theories of learning, influences on intelligence, animal intelligence and test performance, Lund discusses the fascinating debates that shape our understanding of this area.Whatever your level of study, this balanced introduction will allow you to look critically at the main theories and cement your understanding of intelligence and learning.

From newspapers to social networking sites, the mass media play a huge role in shaping the way we see ourselves and others.In this engaging introduction, Giles explores our relationship with the media, looking at the effects of advertising, celebrity worship and media influence on violent behaviour.Whatever your level of study, this introduction will help you to evaluate the full reach of the media in our lives.

How do you design a research project? What is the difference in method between qualitative and quantitative research? How should psychologists go about considering the ethics of research methodology? For the ‘students who ask questions’, this concise text provides an informative introduction to the methods of psychological research, offering an overview of the primary stages in research. From learning how to construct the initial aims and criterion of a study to presenting the final resulting data into tables and graphs, this book aims to guide psychologists through the tools that make psychological research and the understanding of its resulting data possible. Written with enthusiasm and lucidity, Walker guides readers through the appropriate methods for undertaking research, explaining the discerning features of the core types of research, the primary measurements of statistics such as the chi-squared, t and Mann-Whitney U tests and brings an apt consideration of what makes a psychological study ethical. Whether desiring to learn about how to empirically record and measure the psychological experience of an individual or the behavioural factors of an entire population, Research Methods and Statistics is the introductory short-text for learning how to undertake successful research.This title stands as part of the Insights series edited by Nigel Holt and Rob Lewis, containing versatile, quick guides to the cornerstone theories, main topics and theoretical perspectives of their subjects and are useful for pre-undergraduate students looking to find incisive introductions to subjects that they may be considering for undergraduate study or those looking for helpful preparatory reading for undergraduate modules in the prospective subject. Also useful for undergraduate psychology-students who feel that they could benefit from some background reading in this often less-understood area of psychology.

Like food and water, sleep is essential for all. In this excellent study aid, the author looks at the nature and purpose of sleeping andrelated disorders, dreamingand hypnosis. This clear and focused introductionprovides a fantasticentry point for studentsseeking a deeper understanding of altered states of awareness.

Part of the Palgrave Insights in Psychology series, this highly accessible text presents the main theories, evidence and ideas in psychology, pharmacology and medicine most useful for learning about the psychological and physical experience of addictive behaviours. Unique in their approach, Authors Moss and Dyer employ an innovative explanatory framework for conceptualising the onset of psychopathology, drawing upon not only the biological, but the social and psychological determinants most useful for understanding behaviour. This book undertakes an interdisciplinary analysis of how psychology thinks about the onset and treatment of addictive behaviours such as drug use, drinking alcohol, gambling, internet use and sex. This is an engaging and informative guide to understanding the main approaches to treatment and strategies of prevention for addictive behaviours.This title stands as part of the Insights series edited by Nigel Holt and Rob Lewis, containing versatile, quick guides to the cornerstone theories, main topics and debates of their subjects and are useful for pre-undergraduate students looking to find incisive introductions to subjects that they may be considering for undergraduate study or those looking for helpful preparatory reading for undergraduate modules in the prospective subject.

Anxiety is a natural part of life – but what happens when everyday anxieties start to dominate our lives, or when we become overwhelmingly anxious about a particular object or situation? In this friendly and engaging introduction, the authors consider these questions by discussing a range of specific and social phobias, along with their symptoms, effects and treatment. Whatever your level of study, this book will help you to develop your understanding of phobias, why they develop and the effectiveness of different treatments.

From where did the discipline of psychology originate? How has it evolved since its inception? These questions are at the heart of understanding the key debates that are central to psychology. In this highly approachable introduction, Fairholm tackles the big questions in psychology covering the ever controversial nature vs. nurture debate, free will and determinism, and other important topics. Whatever your level of study, this introduction will guide you through the most important issues that psychologists continue to dispute in the twenty-first century.This title stands as part of the Insights series edited by Nigel Holt and Rob Lewis, containing well-rounded, quick guides to the cornerstone theories, main topics and theoretical perspectives of their subjects and are useful for pre-undergraduate students looking to find incisive introductions to subjects that they may be considering for undergraduate study or those looking for helpful preparatory reading for undergraduate modules in the subject.

From the teenage years to retirement, each phase of life presents different challenges and new experiences.Examining the patterns of development throughout the lifespan, the authors provide key insights into how we experience the world, and they examine how established theories have been challenged by recent changes to the understanding of human development.Whatever your level of study, this absorbing introduction will give you a deeper appreciation of the different life phases and how psychological principles aid our understanding of them.

This comprehensive introduction to schizophrenia is an ideal starting point for students. It covers the theoretical foundations of different perspectives of schizophrenia, including medical, evolutionary and social, to give readers a solid grounding and then discusses the various forms of treatments and the arguments surrounding each perspective.

How can psychologists explain strange experiences such as hallucinations or unusual beliefs in ghosts and angels? This compelling introduction aims to uncover how and why such beliefs occur, exploring explanations based on different psychological models, and evaluating the scientific basis of parapsychology and the challenges that researchers face.

From the way we dress to the way we are treated by our peers, gender is a crucial part of our identity which is threaded into every aspect of our lives. In this fascinating introduction, Franklin first discusses the effects of gender identity on behaviour before then exploring the theoretical perspectives on why these differences occur.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a disabling and distressing mental health problem. This accessible introduction examines OCD's causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and is richly illustrated with case studies, making it engaging reading for anyone wishing to understand this complex mental health problem.

It has been estimated that depression may affect 12-18% of people at some point during their lifetime. This accessible introduction covers the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of clinical depression, and is engaging reading for anyone wishing to understand this complex mental health problem.

This accessible introduction to developmental psychology examines how children develop, from language development to social learning and the development of emotion. Comprehensive and engaging, it is the ideal introduction for A-level and undergraduate students, and for anyone interested in learning more about development in childhood.

What are the processes that lead to illness and, inversely, to health and wellness? How can healthcare systems be improved to help prevent and manage illness? What are the primary political and lifestyle factors that can contribute to the promotion of public health and wellbeing? Part of the Palgrave Insights in Psychology series, this straight-forward text provides a well-rounded introduction to the topic of health psychology and delivers an overview of the key issues within the discipline. Readers can expect to learn about the various sub-disciplines that comprise this interdisciplinary area of psychology such as sociology, medicine and politics. Written for those who would like to gain a general understanding of the profession and discipline of the subject, this book introduces the main disorders at the heart of health psychology’s focus such chronic illness, cancer, pain, stress, smoking cessation and weight loss. Further, Rodham examines the behavioural factors and wider political processes that affect the psychology of health, illness and healthcare in society.This title stands as part of the Insights series edited by Nigel Holt and Rob Lewis, containing well-rounded, quick guides to the cornerstone theories, main topics and theoretical perspectives of their subjects and are useful for pre-undergraduate students looking to find incisive introductions to subjects that they may be considering for undergraduate study or those looking for helpful preparatory reading for undergraduate modules in the prospective subject.