Great Ideas In Psychology

An innovative introduction to nineteen key ideas that have revolutionised the study of psychology, with subjects ranging from development to neuroscience. What is it about ideas like the Freudian unconscious that has caused them to have such an enduring impact on both the study of psychology and on our everyday lives? In an accessible and original manner, Fathali Moghaddam takes the reader on a tour of the nineteen great ideas that have revolutionized the way we think about ourselves, from such classic discoveries as the placebo effect to modern developments in IQ testing and artificial intelligence. Keeping the jargon to a minimum, Moghaddam examined each idea in its cultural and historical context, encouraging the reader to form their own conclusions about such key questions as: • Would Freud have formed the same theories about dreams and childhood is he had lived in an eastern culture where dreams are perceived to represent the future? • To what extent are new theories like evolutionary and feminist psychology a product of modern western society – will they stand the test of time in this and other cultures? Packed with insight, erudition and good sense, this book offers the perfect introduction to the central ideas of psychology for students and general readers alike