Introduction to Psychology

Distinctive learning approach: Plotnik's modular organization, Visual Cues approach, and "chunked" information help students engage with and enjoy learning the fundamentals of psychology while allowing them to work at their own pace. In addition, the modular organization offers instructors great flexibility in planning their courses.

Integrated custom illustrations: The greatest evidence of the authors' commitment to providing visuals that truly make abstract and difficult concepts more tangible is the text's extensive custom illustrations program, which comprises more than 250 original works by artist Tim Jacobus.

Introductory examples: Module-opening case examples present a diverse range of individuals' experiences that not only capture students' attention, but also illustrate the everyday applications of psychological principles. Students consistently credit these "stories" with helping them to understand the concepts subsequently presented throughout the modules.

Engaging, substantive features: Diversity, Research Focus, Application, and Critical Thinking features appear in every module, providing students with opportunities to broaden and challenge their understanding of topics and concepts.

New organization: The twenty-five modules are now organized into 13 parts that reflect the modules' core concepts and tie overarching themes together.

Improved placement of review material: Critical Thinking features now precede Summary Test features to provide students a comprehensive review section. Summary Test features have moved to the end of each module.

Art program: Newly updated illustrations and images in the text provide a fresh and cohesive look.

New topic coverage: New and expanded topics include the evolutionary approach to psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, genetic testing, cyber therapy, MP3 players and deafness, motion illusions, emotional intelligence in romantic relationships, and careers in psychology.

Thoroughly updated research base: More than 1,000 new references, the majority from very recent years, provide students with access to the most up-to-date studies and findings. The tenth edition also integrates developments in the related areas of biology, genetics, and cognitive neuroscience throughout the text. New research is presented for topics such as universal facial expressions, phantom limb syndrome, and cell phone usage while driving.

Even better visual learning: An entirely new, contemporary design--with a rich palette and graphically dynamic features--captures and holds the attention of today's students. More than 500 new photos and custom illustrations ensure that the Visual Cues are as meaningful and effective as possible in supporting students' understanding of each concept or topic.

New module-opening case examples: Nearly half of the tenth edition's modules open with new case examples. Individuals introducing module topics now include Shawn Carter (a.k.a., Jay-Z), Charlie Sheen, and Kiran Bedi (India's first female police officer). Additionally, new, timely examples appear throughout the text's modules.