Psychology Basics (Magill's Choice)

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #1834819 in Books
Published on: 2004-12
Number of items: 1
Binding: Hardcover
1000 pages
Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
The 127 essays here, averaging seven pages each, appeared originally in Magill's Encyclopedia of Social Science: Psychology (2003). All bibliographies have, according to the publisher, been updated; accordingly, one will find some books and articles dated 2004 among the annotated reading lists. An earlier edition of Psychology Basics (1998) was drawn from Survey of Social Science: Psychology (1993). Each clearly written essay and its accompanying matter provide a basic overview of the topic and guides to further study, both within and beyond these two volumes.

Essays address historical and contemporary issues, all major theoretical approaches, and topics ranging from psychological aspects of daily life to the varieties of abnormal behavior. In each entry, the type of psychology, field(s) of study, a brief abstract (which often contains a definition), and a list of key concepts precede the essay. The essay itself is subdivided into more discrete topics and followed by well--annotated sources for further study and a list of see also references. All entries are signed by contributors, who are almost entirely from American colleges and universities.

Other features add to the ease of use and reference value. Concluding volume 2 are a glossary, capsule biographies of prominent psychologists, an annotated Web-site directory, and a thorough index, with main entries in boldface. Black-and-white illustrations include diagrams and photographs of psychologists. A very helpful feature is the inclusion of DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria for relevant entries, such as Mental retardation, Phobias, and Substance use disorders.

Highly recommended for high-school, public, and academic libraries not already owning Magill's Encyclopedia of Social Science: Psychology (2003). Craig Bunch
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