Forty Studies That Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of Psychological Research [Paperback]

Roger R. Hock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998 | ISBN-10: 0139227253 | ISBN-13: 978-0139227257 | Edition: 3rd

Roger R. Hock, professor of Psychology at New England College, recounts and illuminates forty of the most elegant and influential studies that have shaped our understanding of human behavior during psychology's brief past. Each study chosen for this book is presented in a meaningful and accessible style within a consistent format that includes: a brief introduction and overview of historical events leading up to the study, the theory and hypotheses underlying the research, a description of the design and methods used to carry out the research, a clear, understandable summary of the study's significance to the field of psychology and to a wider understanding of human behavior, a discussion of subsequent related research launched by the study as well as criticisms of the research, a brief demonstration of the study's on-going influence through a sampling of current studies that have incorporated the original research, and a list of references for further reading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I do... think that Hock has done a commendable job in this book of not only selecting appropriate studies, but providing this useful educational tool for introductory students... Hock keeps his audience interested and writes very elegantly, and yet, concisely... The idea of the book, which is to expose the novice student to the real story of research behind the introductory 'facts' is not only a worthwhile contribution to any introductory class, but an exemplary attempt to portray a more appropriate depiction of psychology to the naive student. This book is well written, engaging, easy to read, and comprehensive." — Misty Hill, Yale University

"Hock's text brings class discussions to life... Hock's writing style is very engaging. I know this, because my students praise the work, but more so because I also read it with enthusiasm... most good historians tend to be encyclopedic, Hock's casual style is a welcome change." — James A. Schirille, Wake Forest University

"The main strength is that Roger Hock summarizes, with flair and with clarity, some of the most important studies in the history of psychology." — Linda Pierce, Madonna University

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

This one-of-a-kind supplemental text fills the gap between our psychological knowledge and the research that made that kind of knowledge possible. In giving forty of the pivotal studies which have shaped this science the attention they richly deserve, Hock's intent is that readers fully experience the process and excitement of great research and discovery, rather than simply read about various findings. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 3rd edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0139227253
• ISBN-13: 978-0139227257
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #792,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a deep and thoroughly readable introduction for the layman, May 6, 2000

By 

thor (Iceland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forty Studies That Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of Psychological Research (Paperback)

I would expect a book on such intricate studies such as this to be difficult to read and confusing, but instead it leaves the reader with an incredible clarity of mind. The writing style is so engaging and effortless that you find yourself in the middle of a difficult subject before you know it. Actually, it reads like a novel, a novel of discovery.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for those even remotely interested in psychology, November 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Forty Studies That Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of Psychological Research (4th Edition) (Paperback)

This book is simply fantastic and here is why:
1) It is written so that the average individual can understand the historical and hypothesis driven factors underlying these key studies
2) I am not in the psychological field, and I found the book a joy to read, and easy to grasp
3)I have had an undergraduate psychology course, and this book was a wonderful refresher of some of the things I heard about, yet provides more detail without being dry and/or uninteresting
4)Multiple psychology fields are presented and the criticisms of each paradigm shifting study are revealed
5) I can re-read select chapters and get something new out each time

It is rare that I find a book that is worth reading again after I have finished it the first time. This is one such rare book, and so I have to say thanks to Roger Hock for providing such a delightful little tome.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for students of introductory psychology, August 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Forty Studies That Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of Psychological Research (Paperback)

I read this book when I took Introduction to Psychology several years ago, and now I use it in the classes I teach. It's a wonderful collection of classic studies organized by topic. The original articles have been edited, so that they are easy for the beginning student to read. This book is a great way to introduce the science of psychology to students.