Introduction to Psychology

Dennis Coon is a publishing phenomenon and one of the best-selling authors in the field of psychology. His innovative instructional methods and student-focused style make his works perennial favorites among instructors and students alike. To date, more than two million students have learned psychology with a Coon text as their guide. Coon graduated with a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and earned his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Arizona. Dennis Coon is a publishing phenomenon and one of the best-selling authors in the field of psychology. His innovative instructional methods and student-focused style make his works perennial favorites among instructors and students alike. To date, more than two million students have learned psychology with a Coon text as their guide. Coon graduated with a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and earned his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Arizona. John O. Mitterer holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from McMaster University. Now an Emeritus Professor, he taught psychology at Brock University to more than 30,000 psychology students. Mitterer was the recipient of the 2003 Brock University Distinguished Teaching Award, a 2003 Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) Teaching Award, a 2004 3M Teaching Fellowship, the 2005 Canadian Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Training in Psychology, and the 2010 Brock University Don Ursino Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Large Classes. He also held a three-year Brock Chancellor's Chair for Teaching Excellence. Tanya Martini obtained her Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Toronto and is a professor in the psychology department at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. She has been awarded the Brock University Distinguished Teaching Award and the Chancellor's Chair for Teaching Excellence. In addition to introductory psychology, she has also taught research methods and two courses designed to facilitate students' understanding of career-related skills. Dr. Martini's research explores skill-based learning outcomes in post-secondary education, and her most recent work has investigated students' views concerning skill-based learning across their degree program. She has a particular interest in students' ability to articulate the competencies that underlie skills such as critical thinking and collaboration, and their ability to recognize how university assignments foster transferable skills that are of interest to employers. Her research in this area was recognized by an appointment to the advisory board of the Future Skills Centre in partnership with the Conference Board of Canada.