Essential Psychology – serie

The Essential Psychology Series bridges the gap between simple introductory texts aimed at pre-university studetns and higher level textbooks for upper level undergraduates. Each volume in the series is designed to provide concise yet up-to-date descriptions of the major areas of psychology for first year undergraduates or students taking psychology as a supplement to other courses of study. The authors, who are acknowledged experts in their field, explain the basics carefully and engagingly without over-simplification often foind in introductory textbooks, at the same time providing the reader with insights into current thinking.Mind-body relationships are the essence of health psychology, and Essential Health Pyschology takes this relationship as its central focus in exploring and explaining the topic to students. The book presents psychological factors in health and illness causation through the concept of 'holism' which posits that health states, health behaviours and cognitions are created by the interaction of other factors or processes within the human condition.This textbook assumes no prior knowledge of psychology, and works through a series of topics and debates towards an understanding of human health and the psychological nature of it. A wide range of health psychology issues are covered, such as pain, stress, health behaviours and communicating with patients, as well as the more unusual but salient topics of palliative care and psychometric testing in a health context. All these areas of investigation are illustrated with examples of real illness states and the psychological contributions to them, including dental health examples.

'Essential Personality' provides a clear, accessible and systematic introduction to the major theoretical approaches for the understanding of human personality. This introductory book assumes no prior knowledge of this core area in psychology and is written for students studying personality for the first time, whether at `A' level, first year undergraduates on psychology degree programmes or students on other courses (for example, nursing, social work or criminology).Each chapter considers one or more of the major approaches to personality. For each approach, a brief biographical outline of the originating theorist is given. This is followed by clear and straightforward descriptions of the major aspects of each theory together with clear definitions of key concepts, and concludes with an evaluation section that addresses the 'model' of humans underlying the approach, research evidence in support of the theory and questioning the theory. Discussion is also given to personality assessment and therapeutic applications of the theory or approach.The individual chapters provide figures, diagrams and tables to give a clear understanding of theory and research. and at the end of each chapter, a summary and suggestions for further reading is provided. A glossary at the end of the book provides definitions and explanations of key items, concepts etc.

Since the so-called 'cognitive revolution' in psychology in the 1960s, it has often been said that 'behaviourism is dead'. This book demonstrates why this is not the case and how the behavioural approach has continued to flourish.Leslie begins by summarising the behavioural approach to psychology and shows how it differs from other contemporary and cognitive approaches. The basic principles of the discipline are outlined and linked to major areas of interest and importance, such as behavioural neuroscience, resolution of human behavioural problems, and human language and cognition.Behaviour analysis is thus shown to contribute to our developing understanding of the relationship between brain systems and psychological problems, to provide an effective and scientifically based approach to human behavioural problems and to deal with topics central to modern psychology.

The Essential Psychology Series bridges the gap between simple introductory texts aimed at pre-university students and higher level textbooks for upper level undergraduates. Each volume in the series is designed to provide concise yet up-to-date descriptions of the major areas of psychology for first year undergraduates or students taking psychology as a supplement to other courses of study. The authors, who are acknowledged experts in their field, explain the basics carefully and engagingly without the over-simplification often found in introductory textbooks, at the same time providing the reader with insights into current thinking.Essential Biological Psychology is an accessible, well-illustrated and well-written account of the study of the role of the body in behaviour and the effect of behaviour on the working of the body. Covering all the major topics within biopsychology, and evaluating the most up-to-date findings, particularly within neuroscience and neuroimaging research, this textbook is essential reading for first and second level undergraduates taking courses in biological or physiological psychology as well as anyone studying courses in neuropsychology or behavioural neuroscience.

Since the so-called 'cognitive revolution' in psychology in the 1960s, it has often been said that 'behaviourism is dead'. This book demonstrates why this is not the case and how the behavioural approach has continued to flourish.Leslie begins by summarising the behavioural approach to psychology and shows how it differs from other contemporary and cognitive approaches. The basic principles of the discipline are outlined and linked to major areas of interest and importance, such as behavioural neuroscience, resolution of human behavioural problems, and human language and cognition.Behaviour analysis is thus shown to contribute to our developing understanding of the relationship between brain systems and psychological problems, to provide an effective and scientifically based approach to human behavioural problems and to deal with topics central to modern psychology.

'Essential Personality' provides a clear, accessible and systematic introduction to the major theoretical approaches for the understanding of human personality. This introductory book assumes no prior knowledge of this core area in psychology and is written for students studying personality for the first time, whether at `A' level, first year undergraduates on psychology degree programmes or students on other courses (for example, nursing, social work or criminology).Each chapter considers one or more of the major approaches to personality. For each approach, a brief biographical outline of the originating theorist is given. This is followed by clear and straightforward descriptions of the major aspects of each theory together with clear definitions of key concepts, and concludes with an evaluation section that addresses the 'model' of humans underlying the approach, research evidence in support of the theory and questioning the theory. Discussion is also given to personality assessment and therapeutic applications of the theory or approach.The individual chapters provide figures, diagrams and tables to give a clear understanding of theory and research. and at the end of each chapter, a summary and suggestions for further reading is provided. A glossary at the end of the book provides definitions and explanations of key items, concepts etc.