Essentials of Psychology

Table of ContentsPrefaceChapter 1. What Is Psychology Areas of Specialization Defining Psychology and Its Goals Methods of Psychology Exploring The Roots of Psychology Summary Key TermsChapter 2. The Physiological Basis of Behavior Level One: The Neuron Level Two: Functional Groups of Neurons Level Three: The Nervous System The Brain The Cortex and Behavior The Endocrine System Behavioral Genetics Genetic Management Summary Key TermsChapter 3. Sensation and Perception Sensory Thresholds Sensory Adaptation The Minor Senses The Major Senses I: Hearing The Major Senses II: Vision Two Perceptual Processes Information Processing: Complex Perceptual Abilities Perceptual Constancy Perceptual Expectations Perceptual Development and Learning Summary Key TermsChapter 4. Learning and Conditioning A Definition of Learning Classical Conditioning Instrumental Conditioning Classical and Instrumental Conditioning Compared: Biofeedback and Reinforcement Verbal Learning Basic Conditioning and Learning Phenomena Reinforcement Transfer of Training Learning by Observing Models Biological Limits Summary Key TermsChapter 5. Memory Learning and Memory: Intertwined Processes Measures of Retention The Three Components of Memory Interference Theory Decay Theory Information Processing I: Separate-Store Models Information Processing II: Levels of Processing Issues in Memory Summary Key TermsChapter 6. Cognition: Language, Concepts, and Problems The Field of Cognition Language Concept Formation Problem Solving Summary Key TermsChapter 7. Motivation The Definition of Motivation Approaches to Motivation Biological Motives I: Hunger Biological Motives II: Thirst Biological Motives III: Sex Sensory-Seeking Motives Complex Human Motives Summary Key TermsChapter 8. Emotion The Study of Emotion The Physiology of Emotion Theories of Emotion Innate Versus Learned Expression Nonverbal Expression of Emotion Anxiety Frustration Conflict Summary Key TermsChapter 9. Development Over The Life Span Basic Processes and Major Theories of Development The Prenatal Period Infancy: The First Two Years The Preschooler: From Two to Five The Early School Years: From Five to Twelve Adolescence: From Twelve to Eighteen The Basic Developmental Processes: A Second Look Adulthood and Aging Dying and Death: The Final Stage Summary Key TermsChapter 10. Personality Theory Subdivisions of The Area Definition of Personality Approach #1: Freudian Theory Approach #2: The Trait Approach Approach #3: Personality As Learned Behavior Approach #4: Self Theories Conclusion Summary Key TermsChapter 11. Assessing Personality and Behavior The Problems of Reliability and Validity Assessment of Personality Measures of Intellectual Ability Achievement Tests The Difference Between Intelligence and Achievement Tests Summary Key TermsChapter 12. Abnormal Psychology What Is Abnormality? Contemporary Views of Psychological Abnormality Diagnostic Categories of Abnormal Behavior Anxiety Disorders Somatoform Disorders Dissociative Disorders The Psychoses Organic Mental Disorders Addictive Disorders Psychosexual Disorders Personality Disorders Summary Key TermsChapter 13. Treating Psychological Problems A Psychodynamic Approach: Psychoanalysis Existential—Humanistic Therapies Behavior Therapy The Eclectic Approach Comparing The Three Principal Psychological Approaches Some Other Alternatives Medical Approaches Broad Spectrum Approaches to Therapy: Two Examples Summary Key TermsChapter 14. Social Behavior What Is Social Psychology? Some Basic Intrapersonal Processes That Affect Social Interactions An Interpersonal Process: Attraction The Effects of Groups Summary Key TermsStatistics AppendixGlossaryReferencesCreditsName IndexSubject Index