Customer Reviews

Cognitive Psychology (7th Edition)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'm a graduate psychology student (not from the author's hometown of Reno, NV) and was looking forward to my cognitive psychology class. However, this text has made this class a negative experience.

Solso would be better served by not belaboring the basics of cognitive psychology (short-term memory, visual perception, etc.) while then jumping into inadequately explained models. For example, on pages 331-333, Solso exposes us to the Whorfian hypothesis. However, he never says exactly what it postulates. Instead, he talks about "what Whorf concluded" or "what the hypothesis suggests". Unfortunately, this is common. These models are frequently illustrated with "boxes" that are not adequately explained in the text and are therefore confusing (flip to the figure on p. 501 for an example). In contrast, explanations of simple concepts are repeatedly explained. This gives the text a "cut and paste" feel. Also contributing to this feel is the structure. What is the point of two different sections on neurology in chapter 11? I'm at a loss as to why he interrupts any flow there may have been to do this. Also, Solso would also benefit from summarizing sections- he seems wrapped up in the details but frequently misses the bigger picture. He would also serve his readers by occasionally letting them in on how this information is applicable (and this would help make those annoying models that he loves seem relevant). This text is woefully inadequate in this area. Another complaint is the material covered. Solso suggests that the text covers a lot of ground (he's correct) and that it may be best to cover this material over two terms. I recommend that the text could be made more concise by simply sticking to cognitive psychology and avoid devoting entire chapters to development and AI.

Having said that, Solso does show potential and his dry sense of humor creeps out now and then and is welcomed. It is the content that makes this text a frustrating experience (I loved cognitive psychology as an undergrad). I'm amazed that this is a text that has gone through six editions. The seventh needs a major overhaul. Not in terms of keeping up with current research (which, Solso seems to do), but in terms of readability. I will recommend that our department use another text (I refuse to believe that there are no better cognitive texts out there). To any instructors out there who are rating this book favorably, I would ask your students what they think. And to any scholars out there who are asked by Solso to provide suggestions for the next addition, I beg you to take this seriously rather than being content as a mere "acknowledgement."

As a senior psychology major at a selective liberal arts college, I have read many psychology textbooks including those covering cognition. This book is by far the worst one I have read. The text is poorly written, confusing, and very boring. The author repeats himself throughout the chapters, and takes too long to make a point. Many students from our Cognitive Psychology class have find it difficult to study from this book for our exams. The book just doesen't flow. Before you purchase this book, try to read a sample from it to see how you like it. You may save a lot of money!

This book is for a class but it's still fun and interesting to read because it has tons of diagrams, tables, and pictures to help you along the way.

i'm a grad student in AI who has decided to study psychology, a field i know relatively little about. i'd read a lot of specialized psych (mostly cog sci) books that went in-depth on a single topic and decided i wanted to get a book to familiarize myself with the basic concepts. So i ordered this one. i am vocally critical of a lot of text books, but i actually really liked this one. It covered most of what i wanted to know, taught me about all sorts of things i didn't know i wanted to know and was pretty darn well written. It is an intro/survey book, so don't think the ~300 pages here will make you an expert in any single field, but it puts those fields in context well and then points you to where you can get more information. Don't know about other people, especially those who know far more about psychology than i did, but i personally really enjoyed reading this book. A lot

Good book, but there is a lot of information that is throughout the book that is in specific chapters of the newer edition. This book is really spastically written and I am sure the newer edition is better put together. I was just in a bind and needed the book so I bought it.

This book contains many interesting facts and structured well. You will not enjoy the reading mostly though, since language is quite heavy. But content is worth to read, so I can recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the cognitive psychology. Maybe it should not be the first book in the topic, but as a second book - for sure. Some chapters can be shortened greatly, but chapters from 4 to 13 are good in general.

I needed this book for class. As textbooks go, this one is well organized, not too cerebral (no pun intended), and easy to read & understand.

Be careful... if you are buying this to save over $100. on the cost of the eight edition you will miss many updates. Compare the later chapters before you buy.

M. J. Murray

This textbook is lively, explains complex issues with clarity and memorable examples. Solso's writing is as engaging and interesting as he is. Lots of helpful diagrams and photos. An easy read, suitable for both undergrads and grad students. This book and Margaret Matlin's are the two best in the field, I use them both. Also highly recommend Solso et. al.'s Experimental Psychology textbook for the nuts and bolts of research design and experimentation.

This is an excellent text on cognitive psychology by one of the leading authors in the field. The chapters are well written and easily comprehended by all levels of students. Cognitive Psychology is also a great reference text due to its comprehensive review of cognitive psychology.