Introduction to Psychology

Part 1 Psychology - the search for understanding; psychology - psyche = mind; logos = knowledge or study; a brief history of psychology; psychology's family album; psychologists; guaranteed not to shrink; how to be a psychologist; let us count the ways; a look ahead. Part 2 Research methods and critical thinking: scientific method; can a horse add?; naturalistic observation; psychology steps out!; correlational studies; in search of the perfect relationship; the psychology experiment; where cause meets effect; placebo effects; sugar pills and salt water; the clinical method; data by the case; survey method; here, have a sample; science and critical thinking. Part 3 The brain, biology, and behaviour: neurons; building a biocomputer; the nervous system; wired for action; the cerebral cortex; my, what a big brain you have!; the subcortex; at the core of the (brain) matter; the brain in perspective; beyond the biocomputer; the endocrine system; slow but sure messenger service. Part 4 Child development: the newborn baby; the basic model comes with options; heredity and environment; the nurture of nature; early environment; as the twig is bent; social development; baby, I'm stuck on you; language development; fast-talking babies; cognitive development; how do children learn to think?; moral development; growing a conscience; deprivation and enrichment; in search of tender loving care. Part 5 From birth to death - life-span development: the cycle of life; rocky road or garden path; problems of childhood; why parents get grey hair; serious childhood problems; off to a bad start; child abuse; cycles of violence; adolescence; the best of times, the worst of times; vocational choice; charting a course in the world of work; challenges of adulthood; charting life's ups and downs; ageing; will you still need me when I'm 64?; death and dying; the curtain falls. (part contents)