History of Psychology 101 - (Psych 101) by David C Devonis (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This book's great strength is the way it weaves psychology between events and trends in society. It shows that psychology isn't separate, watching through a one-way mirror, but that psychology and society are threads woven together in the same tapestry. Key theories and 'big names' fit into a story that makes sense, and become more human than legend... The writing style is clear and direct; I found myself looking forward to each chapter... [A] highly informative book that would benefit students, psychologists and aspiring psychologists.

This slim volume would be a wonderful accompaniment to a traditional text. This reviewer has taught history and theory of psychology for 24 years. In those years, many students have said -- at the end of the course -- 'I wish I had known this stuff at the beginning of my degree.' This volume would fill that need.

In this engaging and highly readable book, Devonis gives readers a 'usable past' ñ an account of key themes and issues that shaped modern American psychology. Much more than a straightforward chronicle of intellectual antecedents, History of Psychology 101 situates the field in a wider social and historical context. The book will appeal to both experienced psychologists and those new to the field ñ highly recommended.

The author is very knowledgeable of the history of psychology and is uniquely qualified to prepare this book. Dave Devonis has extensive experience teaching students, which is apparent with the way he wrote this book to enhance learning and understanding."

Spanning the modern development of psychological science and practice-the era most relevant to today's psychologists-this concise overview of psychology's history focuses on how the field has striven to make a positive impact on society and the individuals within it. It not only examines, decade by decade, the key developments in psychology, but goes beyond the usual "schools and systems" approach to illuminate not just how psychological theories developed but how they have been applied and practiced. The text is unique in its focus on connecting the historical development of psychology to present concerns in the field, thus making the information more relevant to today's student.

Woven throughout the book is thread of optimism regarding the value of psychological ideas for the betterment of humanity. The book considers how psychology has informed-and been influenced by-social and cultural concerns of the past century. Each chapter highlights a theme that typified the science and practice of psychology in a particular era, along with a "historical centerpiece," an examination of an exemplary psychologist or psychological work that typified the field's development during that time period.

Key Features:

• Presents a concise, accessible overview of the modern history of psychology
• Goes beyond the usual "schools and systems" approach to focus on how psychological theories were developed, applied, and practiced
• Demonstrates how the field of psychology has endeavored to make a positive impact on society and individuals
• Focuses on making historical information relevant to psychological practice today
• Embeds psychology in the social and cultural milieu of each era