Forty Studies that Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of Psychological Research (Paperback)

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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

Product Description

This unique book closes the gap between psychology textbooks and the research that made them possible. Its journey through the “headline history” of psychology presents 40 of the most famous, most influential studies in the history of the science, and subsequent follow-up studies that expanded their findings and relevance. Readers are granted a valuable insider's look at the studies that continue to be cited most frequently, stirred up the most controversy when they were published, sparked the most subsequent related research, opened new fields of psychological exploration, and changed most dramatically man's knowledge of human behavior. Studies examined cover the following areas: biology and human behavior; perception and consciousness; learning and conditioning; intelligence, cognition, and memory; human development; emotion and motivation; personality; psychopathology; psychotherapy; and social psychology. For individuals interested in the evolution of psychological study and its impact on the field.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 5th edition (July 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131147293
• ISBN-13: 978-0131147294
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #254,811 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 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.

15 of 15 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.

10 of 10 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.