Introduction

Purpose Of The Book

The purpose of Psychologists and Their Theories for Students is to provide readers with in-depth information on major psychological theories, past and present, as well as the people who developed them. Psychologists explains each psychologist's theories in detail, then analyzes the historical context and critical reaction to the theories. Biographical information is also included. Psychologists is designed to meet the needs of high school and college students in the first two years of study.

Psychologists contains entries on 20 of the most frequently studied or most pertinent psychologists in history. Each entry is accompanied by sidebars containing information on related theories or other psychologists who were close to the subject of the entry, either through proximity or ideology. Photos and charts are included. Entries follow a standard structure and include a personal chronology, list of the subject's principal publications, sources, and bibliographic information on materials for a student's further exploration of the subject. The entries are accompanied by a historical overview of the science of psychology, chronology, glossary of terms used in the book, and a general index.

Selection Criteria

Many individuals had input into the final content of Psychologists. A prelimary list of most-studied psychologists and theories was compiled from the suggestions of librarians who regularly receive requests from students for further information on psychologists studies in their classes. Another group of high school librarians and psychology teachers gave input on the list of entries and made suggestions for accompanying sidebars. Two academic advisers gave final approval on the list of topics and reviewed the content of every entry. Writers also gave input on the content of sidebars and complementary graphics.

How Each Entry Is Organized

Each entry, or chapter, in Psychologists focuses on one psychologist and his or her most important theories. Each entry heading lists the full name of the psychologist, birth and death dates, nationality, and occupation. The following elements are contained in each entry:

  • Brief overview: An overview of the psychologist, his or her life, and introduction to the nature of his or her work.
  • Biography: This section includes basic facts about the psychologist's life, including family background, education, positions held, and information on marriage and family.
  • Theories: Detailed account of the psychologist's main theory(s). Each is broken down into sections on main points of the theory, explanations, and examples.
  • Historical context: Analysis of the political, social, and scientific events in play during the psychologist's life, many of which may have influenced his or her career.
  • Critical response: A summary of criticism of the theories, both during the psychologist's time and since. Related theories that other psychologists developed as a response to the main subject's theories are addressed here.
  • Theories in action: A summary of how the theory is used in study or treatment. Sections on research and case studies are included. A final section explains the relevance of the psychologist's work to modern readers.
  • Sources: Bibliographic citations of sources the writer used compile the entry.
  • Further readings: Bibliographic citations of sources that readers, can go to for further information on the subject.
  • Sidebars: Related topics are included in "Further analysis" sidebars. "Biography" sidebars are devoted to those psychologists close to the entry's subject.

Additional Features

Psychologists further benefits readers with these features:

  • Photos and charts within the entries give the reader more information on the topics being discussed.
  • Lists of every psychologist's principal publications are included in the entries.
  • A personal chronology in every psychologist's entry gives the important events in his or her life.
  • A collective chronology of the psychologists' lives included in the frontmatter, in addition to selected world events, gives reader context for the psychologists' lives.
  • A brief essay on the history of psychology gives the reader historical context and discusses major schools of psychological thought.
  • A glossary of terms used in the book explains important concepts.
  • A general index allows easy access to entry information.

We Welcome Your Suggestions

The editor of Psychologists and Theories for Students welcomes your comments and suggestions. Please direct all correspondence to:

Editor, Psychologists and Their Theories for Students
Thomson Gale
27500 Drake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535