Discovering Psychology (book)
Discovering Psychology is a popular introductory psychology textbook authored by Sandra E. Hockenbury and, later, with co-author Nolan R. White. It is widely used in undergraduate psychology courses to provide a comprehensive overview of the field.
The textbook typically covers a broad range of topics within psychology, including:
- History and Research Methods: An introduction to the discipline's origins and the scientific methodologies used in psychological research.
- Biological Psychology: The relationship between the brain, nervous system, and behavior.
- Sensation and Perception: How we receive and interpret sensory information from the world around us.
- Learning: Classical and operant conditioning, as well as observational learning.
- Memory: The processes of encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
- Cognition: Thinking, language, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- Motivation and Emotion: The factors that drive behavior and the experience of feelings.
- Developmental Psychology: Changes in behavior and cognition across the lifespan.
- Personality: Theories and assessments of individual differences in behavior, thought, and emotion.
- Social Psychology: How individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.
- Psychological Disorders: Descriptions, causes, and treatments of various mental illnesses.
- Therapy: Different approaches to treating psychological disorders.
The book is characterized by its accessible writing style, use of real-world examples, and integration of research findings. Later editions often include updated research, new features designed to enhance student learning, and online resources to supplement the textbook. It aims to introduce students to the core concepts of psychology and encourage critical thinking about human behavior.