Atkinson & Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema ... [et. Al.].

The book "Atkinson & Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology" is not written by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, but rather it is a collaborative effort by several authors, including Ernest Hilgard, Richard C. Atkinson, and Rita L. Atkinson, with later editions edited and revised by various contributors such as Edward E. Smith, Daryl J. Bem, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Barbara L. Fredrickson, Geoff R. Loftus, and Willem A. Wagenaar.

Key Themes

1. Biological Foundations of Psychology: The book covers the biological aspects of psychology, including the structure and function of the nervous system, genetics, and neuroplasticity.
2. Psychological Development: It explores developmental psychology, from infancy to old age, discussing cognitive, social, and emotional development.
3. Sensory Processes and Consciousness: The text delves into sensory processes, consciousness, preconscious memories, and the unconscious, as well as automaticity and dissociation.
4. Learning and Conditioning: It examines various theories of learning and conditioning, including classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
5. Reasoning and Problem Solving: The book discusses reasoning, both deductive and inductive, and problem-solving strategies, including how experts differ from novices.
6. Motivation: It covers motivation, including drives, homeostasis, incentive motivation, and reward systems, with a focus on drug addiction and reward.

Plot Summary

The book is structured around the major discoveries in psychology, providing a comprehensive overview of the field. Each edition has been updated to include the latest research developments and classic landmark studies. The text is organized into chapters that cover various topics in psychology, from the nature of psychology to advanced topics like PSI phenomena and psychoactive drugs.

Critical Reception

"Atkinson & Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology" has been widely praised for its accessible and student-centered approach. The 15th edition, for instance, has retained its position as one of the leading psychology textbooks by consistently relating psychological concepts to everyday life and incorporating a diverse range of international research. The inclusion of new features such as vignettes highlighting recent research, contrasting essays, interim summaries, critical thinking questions, and concept review tables has made the book more engaging and rigorous for students.

The book's dynamic and interactive multimedia tools, like Psyk.Trek 3.0, have also been well-received for their ability to make complex psychological concepts more interactive and engaging. The text's availability with teaching and learning resources like CengageNow further enhances its utility for both students and lecturers.

Authors

• Ernest Hilgard: A prominent psychologist known for his work on hypnosis and the structure of personality.
• Richard C. Atkinson: A psychologist who contributed significantly to the field of cognitive psychology.
• Rita L. Atkinson: A psychologist who focused on developmental psychology.
• Susan Nolen-Hoeksema: A psychologist who contributed to the later editions, focusing on social psychology and depression.

The collaborative effort of these authors, along with the contributions of other editors and revisers, has made "Atkinson & Hilgard's Introduction to Psychology" a comprehensive and authoritative textbook in the field of psychology.