How to Think Like a Psychologist: Critical Thinking in Psychology [Paperback]

Donald McBurney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0023783923 | ISBN-13: 978-0023783920 | Edition: 2nd

Featuring an informal writing style throughout, this unique book uses a question-and-answer format to explore some of the most common questions asked about psychology. Topics feature many everyday examples, and include exercises that encourage readers to think critically and to relate the material to their own lives. The book also features discussion of common misconceptions and impediments to understanding psychology.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Featuring an informal, self-disclosing writing style throughout, this unique text uses a question-and-answer format to explore some of the most common questions students ask about psychology -- which are often stumbling blocks in their introduction to the discipline. Topics are keyed to chapters of typical introductory psychology texts, focus on issues that are personally relevant to students, feature many everyday examples, and include exercises that encourage students to think critically and to relate the material to their own lives.

From the Back Cover

Featuring an informal, self-disclosing writing style throughout, this unique book uses a question-and-answer format to explore some of the most common questions readers ask about psychology — which are often stumbling blocks in their introduction to the discipline. Topics are keyed to chapters of typical introductory psychology texts, focus on issues that are personally relevant to readers, feature many everyday examples, and include exercises that encourage readers to think critically and to relate the material to their own lives.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 111 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 2nd edition (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0023783923
• ISBN-13: 978-0023783920
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,731,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good supplement to an intro psych course, September 11, 2003

By 

tkr5 (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Think Like a Psychologist: Critical Thinking in Psychology (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

There is 49 2-3 page "sections" (chapters) each addressing a broad question or statement, such as "Why Do We Have to Learn about the Brain?" or "My mother went to a psychologist who was no help at all!"

It is clearly intended to be used as a supplement to an intro psychology textbook (the author discusses asking your professor, etc), but it covers a lot of broad topics, such as theories, free will, statistics, the naturalistic fallacy, common sense, coincidences, etc. While these topics are good for a more advanced class as well, this book[let] doesn't go into enough depth (intentionally).

I thought that the issues that it covered were important, and well addressed with a conversational tone, clear logic, good examples, humorous stories, and just enough references used to give credibility.

The problem is just where it fits in, and how it can be used. It almost seems as if it should be bundled with textbooks rather than as a stand-a-lone. I wish there was a version that was more broadly written such that I would want to give it to my family as a way of informing them about psych.

3.0 out of 5 stars If it Quacks Like a Psychologist..., September 11, 2010

By 

John M. Ford "johnDC" (near DC, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: How to Think Like a Psychologist: Critical Thinking in Psychology (Paperback)

Donald McBurney's book targets common misconceptions that introductory psychology students have about psychology, philosophy and the scientific method. As noted in the introduction, the book's 46 sections are grouped into 11 groups that roughly correspond to the chapters in an introductory psychology textbook. Each section begins with a common question or misconception, a brief statement of the principle behind the answer, and a several-page explanation of how psychologists see the issue.

Some of the more interesting and useful sections are listed below.

--I Thought Psychology was about People, Not Numbers!
--Is It True That We Use Only 10% of Our Brains?
--Is Human Behavior Based on Nature or Nurture?
--What Would It Take to Make You Believe in ESP?
--Why Do Psychologists Study Such Artificial Situations?
--Why Can't Psychologists Predict Who Will Commit a Violent Act?
--Why Are Psychologists So Liberal?

The book is useful as a supplement in an introductory psychology class, although some students may need some guidance and encouragement to get the most out of it. Individual sections from the book can serve as the basis for homework assignments or group discussion. Inclusion of references to further reading in each section would strengthen the book and make it more useful to motivated students.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Probably Good If..., April 19, 2010

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Honest (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Think Like a Psychologist: Critical Thinking in Psychology (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This book was on the syllabus for my senior seminar class. We never used it. It is currently sitting in a storage bin. It's probably a good resource if your professor will actually have you use it.