Psychology [Hardcover]

David G. Myers (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1429215976 | ISBN-13: 978-1429215978 | Publication Date: January 10, 2009 | Edition: Ninth Edition

There is no such thing as a light, perfunctory revision of David Myers’ Psychology. Each new edition is a fresh opportunity to communicate psychology’s enduring principles and pivotal research in terms that captivate students and connect with their lives.

But even by Myers’ standards, Psychology, Ninth Edition, is truly exceptional. This exhaustive update of the bestselling textbook for introductory psychology incorporates the largest number of new research citations of any revision to date, as well as new inquiry-based pedagogy, a reconceptualized art program, and the next generation of media and supplements. Yet, edition after edition, David Myers demonstrates an uncanny ability to communicate the science of psychology in a uniquely engaging, accessible way.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 928 pages
• Publisher: Worth Publishers; Ninth Edition edition (January 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1429215976
• ISBN-13: 978-1429215978
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling

More About the Author

David G. Myers, Psychology of Psychology at Michigan's Hope College, is the author of seventeen books, and of articles in three dozen academic periodicals, from Science to the American Psychologist, and in four dozen magazines, from Scientific American to The Christian Century. For more information and free resources visit davidmyers.org.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read... at times, July 13, 2009

By 

tk - See all my reviews

This review is from: Psychology (Hardcover)

I bought this book for an online AP Psychology course. I have had a great interest in psychology for a long time, and this was perhaps what caused me to enjoy the book so much. I found that I have really enjoyed reading this book overall. Because it was for an online class, this book was the most important, if not the only important resource in the class. It did a brilliant job of teaching psychology without a teacher's support and guidance. It kept me quite inspired and interested. Now I'm going to stop beating around the bush and tell you what I found in this book directly.

The writing style is definitely far more wordy than most science books. This could be both helpful and annoying at times. The style ensured that once I done with a section, the writer had said the same thing in so many ways with so much evidence intertwined, as it ought to be, that I had no doubts at the end, and I didn't feel the missing spot of a teacher. So whether you have a good teacher or not, I promise that this book will get you through the course. But, as I said, sometimes it can be annoying. Myers uses tons of analogies and examples that sometimes make me think, "Where is this guy going? Can't he just state it plainly?" Overall though, it's good.

The structure of the book is amazing, and amazing might be an understatement. It is very well organized. If you buy the module edition, it is even better. Everything is broken up into subsections, and when you're reviewing, the small sections are extremely useful. Myers lists out evidence, and includes many helpful diagrams and charts. Biological processes that are often difficult to understand are simple with his diagrams. At the end of the module there is a small "objectives" summary. There are questions, comics, quotes, and small comments that make the read enjoyable and fascinating.

The book is massive, as any textbook is, but I have found the read quite easy. Because I'm doing an online course, I couldn't afford to skip pages or chapters. That means I read every word in this book. Well almost. I've been working at it for about a month, and I'm currently on page 626. After going through all this though, I'm finding it difficult to complete the book. That might be my fault. I really don't know.

My only issue with it is that its hard to finish big chunks in one sitting. While I might finish 40 pages in one day. I have to concentrate really hard for the whole day, splitting the reading into chunks of a few pages at a time. If your in a course where you're going to be expected to finish 10 pages in one night, and still complete all your other homework, all I have to say is good luck with that.

I guess the issue I had with this was a personal issue- maybe. That last problem I explained is why I gave it 4 and not 5. If I could I'd give it 4.9 because really, this is the best textbook I've ever had. It has definitely made me happy to learn so many new things about a subject that I find so interesting. And hats off to Myers for being able to write such a massive book while still keeping the style and quality consistent.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An improvement over the previous edition, January 31, 2010

By 

Geoffrey Brown (Taconic, CT United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Psychology (Hardcover)

This edition makes several improvements over the previous edition, which I had from a previous Psych course. Some new research is included, and the author actually gets introspective! Also, if you are trying to make do with a previous edition, be aware that some of the chapter numbers have changed in this edition.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intro Psychology textbook, September 22, 2009

By 

Irina I. Patrikeeva (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Psychology (Hardcover)

This book is easy to read, perhaps, too easy for college-level students. There are pages and pages of analogies, quotes, diagrams and photos (sometimes indirectly related to the material) and numerous pop-culture references. The book could have been a few hundred pages shorter. It's a pain to carry it around, but it's a good book for an intro course in psychology.