I appreciate the "props" Nancy M. Make a Small Loan, Make a Big Difference - Check out Kiva.org to Learn How!
In a message dated 3/27/2009 8:10:34 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Mike has dropped the guantlet: >So, which intro psych textbook do people think is "best" and why? > I use a fellow-tipster's (Nancy Melucci) text entitled, "Psychology the Easy Way" for three reasons: (1) It costs $15 to the students--they don't have to take an extra part time job to pay for the books for my class and they can keep it as it's not worth selling back. (2) It is factually accurate (well a couple of small errors but these are more type-setting type errors than flagrant content area errors). (3) I like her writing style of challenging common false beliefs with factual evidence. That said, (sorry Nancy) I don't really like the abnormal chapter organized around DSM--as a non-clinician (I believe Nancy was trained as a clinician) I find it sort of confusing and not how many other texts present abnormal. It's *A* way to do it, but just doesn't resonate with me. And it is briefer than most texts but what I love about that is I can supplement with readings and the students can get the basic facts of psychological science from the book and I can tailor the readings to whatever theme I want to pursue that semester--and still not feel overwhelmed. My problems with most tests are twofold: (1) The costs are outrageous, largely driven, I believe by all those full color photographs that ADD NOTHING to students' udnerstanding of the content. I mean, honestly, a picture of Freud--everyone know what Freud looks like by now, does NOT add to an understanding of his works. A picture of a smiling person appearing in every chapter adds nothing to understanding the content of that chapter. I find the majority of full color pictures to be a complete waste as they have little to NO pedagogical value. (2) They overwhelm the students with TMI--No one can remember that much stuff from 15 weeks of a single class. If my students come out of the class with the basic facts and the basic tools of critical thinking, then I am in seventh heaven. OK, I'm going to read on for other people's favorites. Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 619-260-4006 [email protected] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) **************Free Credit Report and Score Tracking! Get it Now for $0 at CreditReport.com. (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220474599x1201401934/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.creditreport.com%3Fsrc%3Daolemail%26kwd%3Dmlftrtextlin k) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
