Psychology in the Real World

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.

1. Introduction to Psychology
   1. Introduction
   2. What Is Psychology?
   3. Psychology’s Early History
   4. Psychology’s Modern History
   5. Current Perspectives and Levels of Analysis
   6. What Do Psychologists Do?
   7. A Scientific Method
   8. Descriptive Methods
   9. Correlational Methods
   10. Experimental Methods
   11. Conclusions and Claims
   12. Research Spotlight: Analyzing Claims in Science Media
   13. Evaluating Claims
   14. Psychology’s Ethics
   15. Chapter Quiz: Introduction to Psychology
   16. Conclusion
2. The Brain and the Nervous System
   1. Introduction
   2. The Nervous System
   3. Neurons
   4. Neurotransmitters
   5. Regulating Neurotransmitters
   6. The Central Nervous System
   7. Research Spotlight: Can Driving a Taxi Change Your Brain?
   8. The Subcortex
   9. The Cerebrum
   10. The Peripheral Nervous System
   11. The Endocrine System
   12. Chapter Quiz: The Brain and the Nervous System
   13. Conclusion
3. Consciousness
   1. Introduction
   2. What Is Consciousness?
   3. Brain Activity and Consciousness
   4. Levels of Consciousness
   5. Sleep and Consciousness
   6. Research Spotlight: Do “Night Owls” Get Better Grades in Afternoon Classes?
   7. Stages of Sleep
   8. Why We Sleep
   9. Sleep Disorders
   10. Dreams
   11. Altered Consciousness
   12. Drugs and Altered Consciousness
   13. Drug Use, Addiction, and Consciousness
   14. Chapter Quiz: Consciousness
   15. Conclusion
4. Sensation and Perception
   1. Introduction
   2. Sensation vs. Perception
   3. Detecting Stimuli
   4. Transduction
   5. Processing: From Sensation to Perception
   6. Research Spotlight: Does What We See Affect What We Hear?
   7. Vision: Sensing Visual Stimuli
   8. Vision: Perceiving Color
   9. Vision: Perceiving Form
   10. Vision: Perceiving Depth
   11. Hearing Starts With Sensing Auditory Stimuli
   12. Hearing: Perceiving Location, Loudness, and Pitch
   13. Sensing and Perceiving Smell and Taste
   14. Sensing and Perceiving Touch
   15. Sensing and Perceiving Pain
   16. Beyond the Five Senses
   17. Chapter Quiz: Sensation and Perception
   18. Conclusion
5. Learning
   1. Introduction
   2. What Is Learning?
   3. Classical Conditioning Is an Unconscious Form of Learning
   4. Classical Conditioning: Processes
   5. Classical Conditioning in the Real World
   6. Operant Conditioning Is About Cause and Effect
   7. Operant Conditioning Uses Reinforcement and Rewards
   8. Operant Conditioning: Exploring Primary and Secondary Reinforcers
   9. Operant Conditioning: Timing and Scheduling Reinforcers
   10. Operant Conditioning: Shaping Complex Behaviors
   11. Operant Conditioning: Punishment Weakens Behavior
   12. Research Spotlight: Can Dog Clickers Help Medical Students Tie Better Surgical Knots?
   13. The ABCs of Behavior
   14. Biological and Cognitive Influences on Conditioning
   15. Observational Learning: Learning From the Behavior of Others
   16. Influences on Observational Learning
   17. Chapter Quiz: Learning
   18. Conclusion
6. Memory
   1. Introduction
   2. What Is Memory?
   3. Encoding: Sensory Memory
   4. Research Spotlight: How Do Many People Fail to Notice What’s Right in Front of Them?
   5. Encoding: Working Memory
   6. Storage: Long-Term Memory
   7. Storage: Types of Memories
   8. Storage: Memory and the Brain
   9. Retrieval: Forgetting Is Necessary
   10. Retrieval: Encoding Failure
   11. Retrieval: Retrieval Failure
   12. Retrieval: Memory Decay
   13. Retrieval: Amnesia
   14. Retrieval: Memory Distortion and Misattributions
   15. Retrieval: Memory Distortion and False Information
   16. Retrieval: Active Study Strategies for Improving Memory
   17. Retrieval: Mnemonics for Improving Memory
   18. Chapter Quiz: Memory
   19. Conclusion
7. Thinking and Intelligence
   1. Introduction
   2. What Is Thinking?
   3. Thinking: Forming and Organizing Concepts
   4. Cognition: Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow
   5. Cognition: Solving Problems
   6. Cognition: Obstacles to Problem-Solving
   7. Cognition: Overcoming Obstacles to Problem-Solving
   8. Cognition: Decision-Making
   9. Research Spotlight: Will Being a Maximizer Make You Unhappy?
   10. Cognition: Heuristics and Decision-Making
   11. Cognition: Language and Thinking
   12. What Is Intelligence?
   13. Intelligence: Forms and Theories
   14. Intelligence: A Brief History of Testing
   15. Intelligence: Scores and Measurements
   16. Intelligence: Real-World Correlations
   17. Intelligence: Biological, Social, and Environmental Influences
   18. Chapter Quiz: Thinking and Intelligence
   19. Conclusion
8. Development
   1. Introduction
   2. What Is Development?
   3. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Development
   4. Family Studies: Untangling Genes and Environment
   5. Prenatal Development
   6. Infancy and Childhood: Physical Development
   7. Infancy and Childhood: Social Development and Attachment
   8. Influences on Attachment: Infant Behavior and Personality
   9. Influences on Attachment: Parenting Styles and Culture
   10. Research Spotlight: Can Where You Live Influence Your Baby’s Behavior?
   11. Infancy and Childhood: Cognitive Development
   12. Infancy and Childhood: Stages of Cognitive Development
   13. Piaget’s Theory: Reflections and Critiques
   14. Adolescence: Physical Development
   15. Adolescence: Social and Emotional Development
   16. Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development
   17. Adulthood: Emotional and Social Development
   18. Chapter Quiz: Development
   19. Conclusion
9. Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
   1. Introduction
   2. Biology and Sex
   3. Variations in Biological Sex
   4. Approaches to Addressing Intersex Variations
   5. Creating and “Doing” Gender
   6. “Being” Our Gender: Gender Identity
   7. “Being” Our Gender: Developing A Gender Identity
   8. “Doing” Our Gender: Gender Roles
   9. Differences Between Genders
   10. Human Sexuality: Attraction
   11. Human Sexuality: Sexual Orientation
   12. Human Sexuality: Biological Influences on Orientation
   13. Human Sexuality: Social and Environmental Influences on Orientation
   14. Sexual Motivation: Psychological and Social Influences
   15. Sexual Motivation: Variations and Individual Differences in Arousal
   16. Sexual Activity: The Response Cycle
   17. Sexual Activity: Emotional and Psychological Effects
   18. Research Spotlight: Can a Healthy Sex Life Boost Job Satisfaction?
   19. Chapter Quiz: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
   20. Conclusion
10. Personality and the Self
    1. Introduction
    2. Defining the Self
    3. Research Spotlight: Are Women Who Carry Fake Designer Handbags Big Liars?
    4. Thinking About the Self
    5. Influences on the Self
    6. What Is Personality?
    7. Trait Theories of Personality
    8. Biological Influences on Personality Traits
    9. Psychodynamic Theory of Personality
    10. Psychosexual Development Theory of Personality
    11. Social Cognitive Theories of Personality
    12. Humanistic Theory of Personality
    13. Environmental Influences on Personality
    14. Chapter Quiz: Personality and the Self
    15. Conclusion
11. Emotion
    1. Introduction
    2. What Are Emotions?
    3. How Emotions Help Us
    4. The Physiology of Emotions
    5. Brain Activity and Emotion
    6. Interpreting and Regulating Physiological Arousal
    7. Research Spotlight: Do Painkillers Kill Kindness?
    8. Emotion and Cognition
    9. Interpreting Emotions
    10. Emotions and Behavior: Facial Expressions
    11. Emotions and Behavior: Body Language and Gestures
    12. Emotions and Behavior: Culture and Language
    13. Major Theories of Emotion
    14. Emotional Regulation
    15. Emotional Intelligence
    16. Chapter Quiz: Emotion
    17. Conclusion
12. Motivation
    1. Introduction
    2. Biological Sources of Motivation: Drives
    3. Biological Sources of Motivation: Pleasure and Optimum Arousal
    4. Extrinsic Sources of Motivation: Pursuing Rewards
    5. Psychological Sources of Motivation: Maslow’s Hierarchy
    6. Psychological Sources of Motivation: Self-Determination Theory
    7. Intrinsic Motivation
    8. Goals
    9. Goal Setting
    10. Goal Achievement: Motivating Mindsets
    11. Research Spotlight: Can Growing Students’ Mindsets Change Their Grades?
    12. Self-Regulation and Grit
    13. Chapter Quiz: Motivation
    14. Conclusion
13. Social Psychology
    1. Introduction
    2. What Is Social Thinking?
    3. Social Thinking: Perceiving Others
    4. Social Thinking: The Impact of Impressions
    5. Social Thinking: Judgments and Attributions
    6. Social Thinking: Attributional Biases
    7. Social Thinking: Attitudes and Actions
    8. Social Thinking: Changing Attitudes Through Persuasion
    9. Social Behavior: Groups
    10. Social Behavior: Group Dynamics, Performance, and Decision-Making
    11. Social Behavior: Conformity
    12. Social Behavior: Obedience
    13. Social Behavior: Social Identity, Prejudice, and Discrimination
    14. Social Behavior: Reducing Prejudice
    15. Social Behavior: Aggression
    16. Research Spotlight: Is There a Link Between Video Games and Aggression in Teens?
    17. Prosocial Behavior: Helping Others
    18. Prosocial Behavior: Forming Connections
    19. Chapter Quiz: Social Psychology
    20. Conclusion
14. Mental Health
    1. Introduction
    2. What Are Psychological Disorders?
    3. Explaining the Causes of Psychological Disorders
    4. Classifying and Labeling Psychological Disorders
    5. Treating Psychological Disorders: Overview of Psychotherapies
    6. Treating Psychological Disorders: Overview of Biomedical Therapies
    7. Anxiety Disorders: An Introduction
    8. Anxiety Disorders: Causes
    9. Anxiety Disorders: Treatments
    10. Depressive Disorders: An Introduction
    11. Depressive Disorders: Causes
    12. Research Spotlight: Can Adding Exercise to Psychotherapy Cure Depression?
    13. Depressive Disorders: Treatments
    14. Neurodevelopmental Disorders: An Introduction
    15. Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Causes
    16. Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Treatments
    17. Mental Health: Resources and Support
    18. Suicide and Suicide Prevention
    19. Chapter Quiz: Mental Health
    20. Conclusion
15. Stress and Well-Being
    1. Introduction
    2. What Is Stress?
    3. Types of Stressors
    4. The Stress Response
    5. Stress, Physical Health, and the Immune System
    6. Managing Stress Through Coping Mechanisms
    7. Managing Stress in the Present
    8. Managing Stress About the Past
    9. Managing Potential Stressors
    10. Helpful Habits: General Well-Being
    11. Helpful Habits: Psychological Well-Being
    12. Helpful Habits: Physical Well-Being
    13. Helpful Habits: Social Well-Being
    14. Research Spotlight: Can a Desk Plant Reduce Stress?
    15. Chapter Quiz: Stress and Well-Being
    16. 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

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

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Jenny Westrick

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