Psychology in the Real World
Psychology in the Real World emphasizes research in every chapter–a unique approach that aligns with the APA introductory course guidelines.
With Research Spotlights to facilitate the development of critical thinking and information literacy, the webtext gives students the opportunity to evaluate claims in real media headlines and apply the core concepts of psychology.
The webtext also features relatable examples that resonate with a variety of students and illustrate theories and concepts in real-world situations. Original videos of professors and practicing psychologists in every chapter help students see practical applications of the content.
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Focus on big ideas
1. The body influences the mind, and the mind influences the body.
2. Who we are, how we develop, and how we behave is due to a complex interaction between genes and environment.
3. Our experiences are subjective; our perception is influenced by what we know and believe.
4. Variations in human behavior and mental processes are influenced by psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors.
5. Applying psychological principles can change our lives and communities in positive ways.
6. Ethical principles guide psychology research and practice.
Steady encouragement
As each new topic is presented, students answer a few questions about its main ideas. This helps students stay focused, actively process the information, and construct new knowledge.
Study questions
Psychology in the Real World supports equitable teaching with the use of autograded formative assessment. This allows all students the opportunity to develop A-student habits through low-stakes opportunities to check their understanding.
Everything you need
Psychology in the Real World provides everything you need for your course—including a test bank, lecture slides, and an analytics dashboard. Plus, we can tailor the webtext to match your program’s emphasis, term length, student expectations, and assignment types.
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction
- What Is Psychology?
- Psychology’s Early History
- Psychology’s Modern History
- Current Perspectives and Levels of Analysis
- What Do Psychologists Do?
- A Scientific Method
- Descriptive Methods
- Correlational Methods
- Experimental Methods
- Conclusions and Claims
- Research Spotlight: Analyzing Claims in Science Media
- Evaluating Claims
- Psychology’s Ethics
- Chapter Quiz: Introduction to Psychology
- Conclusion
- The Brain and the Nervous System
- Introduction
- The Nervous System
- Neurons
- Neurotransmitters
- Regulating Neurotransmitters
- The Central Nervous System
- Research Spotlight: Can Driving a Taxi Change Your Brain?
- The Subcortex
- The Cerebrum
- The Peripheral Nervous System
- The Endocrine System
- Chapter Quiz: The Brain and the Nervous System
- Conclusion
- Consciousness
- Introduction
- What Is Consciousness?
- Brain Activity and Consciousness
- Levels of Consciousness
- Sleep and Consciousness
- Research Spotlight: Do “Night Owls” Get Better Grades in Afternoon Classes?
- Stages of Sleep
- Why We Sleep
- Sleep Disorders
- Dreams
- Altered Consciousness
- Drugs and Altered Consciousness
- Drug Use, Addiction, and Consciousness
- Chapter Quiz: Consciousness
- Conclusion
- Sensation and Perception
- Introduction
- Sensation vs. Perception
- Detecting Stimuli
- Transduction
- Processing: From Sensation to Perception
- Research Spotlight: Does What We See Affect What We Hear?
- Vision: Sensing Visual Stimuli
- Vision: Perceiving Color
- Vision: Perceiving Form
- Vision: Perceiving Depth
- Hearing Starts With Sensing Auditory Stimuli
- Hearing: Perceiving Location, Loudness, and Pitch
- Sensing and Perceiving Smell and Taste
- Sensing and Perceiving Touch
- Sensing and Perceiving Pain
- Beyond the Five Senses
- Chapter Quiz: Sensation and Perception
- Conclusion
- Learning
- Introduction
- What Is Learning?
- Classical Conditioning Is an Unconscious Form of Learning
- Classical Conditioning: Processes
- Classical Conditioning in the Real World
- Operant Conditioning Is About Cause and Effect
- Operant Conditioning Uses Reinforcement and Rewards
- Operant Conditioning: Exploring Primary and Secondary Reinforcers
- Operant Conditioning: Timing and Scheduling Reinforcers
- Operant Conditioning: Shaping Complex Behaviors
- Operant Conditioning: Punishment Weakens Behavior
- Research Spotlight: Can Dog Clickers Help Medical Students Tie Better Surgical Knots?
- The ABCs of Behavior
- Biological and Cognitive Influences on Conditioning
- Observational Learning: Learning From the Behavior of Others
- Influences on Observational Learning
- Chapter Quiz: Learning
- Conclusion
- Memory
- Introduction
- What Is Memory?
- Encoding: Sensory Memory
- Research Spotlight: How Do Many People Fail to Notice What’s Right in Front of Them?
- Encoding: Working Memory
- Storage: Long-Term Memory
- Storage: Types of Memories
- Storage: Memory and the Brain
- Retrieval: Forgetting Is Necessary
- Retrieval: Encoding Failure
- Retrieval: Retrieval Failure
- Retrieval: Memory Decay
- Retrieval: Amnesia
- Retrieval: Memory Distortion and Misattributions
- Retrieval: Memory Distortion and False Information
- Retrieval: Active Study Strategies for Improving Memory
- Retrieval: Mnemonics for Improving Memory
- Chapter Quiz: Memory
- Conclusion
- Thinking and Intelligence
- Introduction
- What Is Thinking?
- Thinking: Forming and Organizing Concepts
- Cognition: Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow
- Cognition: Solving Problems
- Cognition: Obstacles to Problem-Solving
- Cognition: Overcoming Obstacles to Problem-Solving
- Cognition: Decision-Making
- Research Spotlight: Will Being a Maximizer Make You Unhappy?
- Cognition: Heuristics and Decision-Making
- Cognition: Language and Thinking
- What Is Intelligence?
- Intelligence: Forms and Theories
- Intelligence: A Brief History of Testing
- Intelligence: Scores and Measurements
- Intelligence: Real-World Correlations
- Intelligence: Biological, Social, and Environmental Influences
- Chapter Quiz: Thinking and Intelligence
- Conclusion
- Development
- Introduction
- What Is Development?
- Genetic and Environmental Influences on Development
- Family Studies: Untangling Genes and Environment
- Prenatal Development
- Infancy and Childhood: Physical Development
- Infancy and Childhood: Social Development and Attachment
- Influences on Attachment: Infant Behavior and Personality
- Influences on Attachment: Parenting Styles and Culture
- Research Spotlight: Can Where You Live Influence Your Baby’s Behavior?
- Infancy and Childhood: Cognitive Development
- Infancy and Childhood: Stages of Cognitive Development
- Piaget’s Theory: Reflections and Critiques
- Adolescence: Physical Development
- Adolescence: Social and Emotional Development
- Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development
- Adulthood: Emotional and Social Development
- Chapter Quiz: Development
- Conclusion
- Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
- Introduction
- Biology and Sex
- Variations in Biological Sex
- Approaches to Addressing Intersex Variations
- Creating and “Doing” Gender
- “Being” Our Gender: Gender Identity
- “Being” Our Gender: Developing A Gender Identity
- “Doing” Our Gender: Gender Roles
- Differences Between Genders
- Human Sexuality: Attraction
- Human Sexuality: Sexual Orientation
- Human Sexuality: Biological Influences on Orientation
- Human Sexuality: Social and Environmental Influences on Orientation
- Sexual Motivation: Psychological and Social Influences
- Sexual Motivation: Variations and Individual Differences in Arousal
- Sexual Activity: The Response Cycle
- Sexual Activity: Emotional and Psychological Effects
- Research Spotlight: Can a Healthy Sex Life Boost Job Satisfaction?
- Chapter Quiz: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
- Conclusion
- Personality and the Self
- Introduction
- Defining the Self
- Research Spotlight: Are Women Who Carry Fake Designer Handbags Big Liars?
- Thinking About the Self
- Influences on the Self
- What Is Personality?
- Trait Theories of Personality
- Biological Influences on Personality Traits
- Psychodynamic Theory of Personality
- Psychosexual Development Theory of Personality
- Social Cognitive Theories of Personality
- Humanistic Theory of Personality
- Environmental Influences on Personality
- Chapter Quiz: Personality and the Self
- Conclusion
- Emotion
- Introduction
- What Are Emotions?
- How Emotions Help Us
- The Physiology of Emotions
- Brain Activity and Emotion
- Interpreting and Regulating Physiological Arousal
- Research Spotlight: Do Painkillers Kill Kindness?
- Emotion and Cognition
- Interpreting Emotions
- Emotions and Behavior: Facial Expressions
- Emotions and Behavior: Body Language and Gestures
- Emotions and Behavior: Culture and Language
- Major Theories of Emotion
- Emotional Regulation
- Emotional Intelligence
- Chapter Quiz: Emotion
- Conclusion
- Motivation
- Introduction
- Biological Sources of Motivation: Drives
- Biological Sources of Motivation: Pleasure and Optimum Arousal
- Extrinsic Sources of Motivation: Pursuing Rewards
- Psychological Sources of Motivation: Maslow’s Hierarchy
- Psychological Sources of Motivation: Self-Determination Theory
- Intrinsic Motivation
- Goals
- Goal Setting
- Goal Achievement: Motivating Mindsets
- Research Spotlight: Can Growing Students’ Mindsets Change Their Grades?
- Self-Regulation and Grit
- Chapter Quiz: Motivation
- Conclusion
- Social Psychology
- Introduction
- What Is Social Thinking?
- Social Thinking: Perceiving Others
- Social Thinking: The Impact of Impressions
- Social Thinking: Judgments and Attributions
- Social Thinking: Attributional Biases
- Social Thinking: Attitudes and Actions
- Social Thinking: Changing Attitudes Through Persuasion
- Social Behavior: Groups
- Social Behavior: Group Dynamics, Performance, and Decision-Making
- Social Behavior: Conformity
- Social Behavior: Obedience
- Social Behavior: Social Identity, Prejudice, and Discrimination
- Social Behavior: Reducing Prejudice
- Social Behavior: Aggression
- Research Spotlight: Is There a Link Between Video Games and Aggression in Teens?
- Prosocial Behavior: Helping Others
- Prosocial Behavior: Forming Connections
- Chapter Quiz: Social Psychology
- Conclusion
- Mental Health
- Introduction
- What Are Psychological Disorders?
- Explaining the Causes of Psychological Disorders
- Classifying and Labeling Psychological Disorders
- Treating Psychological Disorders: Overview of Psychotherapies
- Treating Psychological Disorders: Overview of Biomedical Therapies
- Anxiety Disorders: An Introduction
- Anxiety Disorders: Causes
- Anxiety Disorders: Treatments
- Depressive Disorders: An Introduction
- Depressive Disorders: Causes
- Research Spotlight: Can Adding Exercise to Psychotherapy Cure Depression?
- Depressive Disorders: Treatments
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders: An Introduction
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Causes
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Treatments
- Mental Health: Resources and Support
- Suicide and Suicide Prevention
- Chapter Quiz: Mental Health
- Conclusion
- Stress and Well-Being
- Introduction
- What Is Stress?
- Types of Stressors
- The Stress Response
- Stress, Physical Health, and the Immune System
- Managing Stress Through Coping Mechanisms
- Managing Stress in the Present
- Managing Stress About the Past
- Managing Potential Stressors
- Helpful Habits: General Well-Being
- Helpful Habits: Psychological Well-Being
- Helpful Habits: Physical Well-Being
- Helpful Habits: Social Well-Being
- Research Spotlight: Can a Desk Plant Reduce Stress?
- Chapter Quiz: Stress and Well-Being
- Conclusion
Interactive content
Research Spotlights
The theme of empirical evidence is brought to life for students through Research Spotlights, case studies that cultivate empirical thinking. Growing in complexity as the chapters progress, Research Spotlights invite students to think critically about the claims and methods of the articles on studies presented in the text.
Study questions
Study questions throughout the webtext guide students to critical information by providing immediate feedback. These low-risk opportunities promote equitable teaching that allows all students the opportunity to flourish and learn better study habits.
Response boards
Students engage each other through discussion boards that allow them to see the responses of their peers only after they've posted their own comment.
Polls
Polls allow students to share their opinions and then view a live pie chart displaying the responses of all class members.
Study tools
Webtext Reader app
Students can access materials and complete assignments offline with our mobile app available for iOS and Android.
Reading tools
Reading tools allow students to click on vocabulary terms for definitions and mark up their own webtext by highlighting and adding notes in the margins.
Read to Me
Our text-to-speech feature instantly creates an audio version of the webtext page to extend the reach of online content.
My Progress
Students can keep track of their own work inside My Progress, which records their scores, time spent, and completion.
The following materials are available for this course:
- test bank
- lecture slides
Thank you for your submission.
Author
Jennifer Harper, PhD
Peer Reviewers
David Baskind, PhD, Delta College
Sara Blaine, PhD, Auburn University
Julie Blaskewicz Boron, PhD, University of Nebraska Omaha
Hjalmar Zambrana Bonaparte, PsyD, Albizu University
Daniel Copulsky, PhD student, University of California, Santa Cruz
Thomas Crawford, PhD, Bethel University
Carrie Cuttler, PhD, Washington State University
Stacy DeZutter, PhD, Millsaps College
Greta Enriquez, PhD, Goddard College
Elgrie J. Hurd III, PhD, Dallas College Brookhaven Campus
Franz Klutschkowski, EdD, North Central Texas College
Dylan Kriescher, MS, University of Northern Colorado
Paul Kwon, PhD, University of Nevada, Reno
Heather Lench, PhD, Texas A&M University
Cheryl R. Lovett, PhD, University of Central Oklahoma
Melissa Lynn Maffeo, PhD, Wake Forest University
Eric D. Miller, PhD, Kent State University
Angela Nadeau, MA, Kennesaw State University
Caroline Pyevich, PhD, Pima Community College
David Rentler, PsyD, University of Connecticut
Michelle L. Rivers, PhD, Texas Christian University
Matthew Robison, PhD, The University of Texas at Arlington
Randi Shedlosky-Shoemaker, PhD, York College of Pennsylvania
Clayton Teem, PhD, University of North Georgia
Frank Wagenblast, Middlesex County College
Carmon Weaver Hicks, PhD, Ivy Tech Community College
Susan Krauss Whitbourne, PhD, University of Massachusetts Boston
Elizabeth Ziemba, Gwinnett Technical College
Publisher
Mary Jane Lindrum
Executive Editor
Jenny Westrick
Creative Director
Zara Elizabeth Crockett
Content Editors
Adam Rosen
Alexandra Tanner
Project Manager
Autumn McGimsey
Lead Learning Designer
Lindsy Pietroski
Learning Design Coordinator
Laura Aitcheson
Learning Designers
Jonathan Campbell
Rebekah Krahe
Assistant Learning Designer
Stephen Clark
Production Editor & Coordinator
Natalie Welch
Production Editors
Rachel Garzarelli
Marquita Jones
Assistant Production Editors
Angelica Burac
Erin Griffin Collum
Thinacha Newberry
Photo Research
Zara Elizabeth Crockett
Video Production
Zara Elizabeth Crockett
Kristian Melom
Permissions Coordinator
Mallory Edwards
User Interface Design
Sam Korthof
Clint McFarlin