Witting A.F. Introduction to Psychology: Theory and Problems

2nd edition, Schaum Outline, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2001, 318 pages, ISBN: 0-07-140008-7Psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. As a scientific discipline, psychology attempts to provide an understanding of how and why organisms behave as they do. Therefore, as you begin to study this subject, you should keep in mind that psychology depends on the careful and objective consideration of evidence, not on what "common sense" tells us.This outline is an overview of the most basic principles of psychology. The outline may be used as a self-teaching tool, in conjunction with a standard textbook, or as a supplement to classroom and laboratory instruction. Each chapter begins with a concise summary of psychological principles, many of which are illustrated with examples. Following the discussion of theory in each chapter is a group of solved problems, which are used to illustrate the principles and often contain refinements and extensions of, or exceptions to, the principles. Finally, each chapter contains a list of key terms; like other disciplines, psychology has a specialized vocabulary, and familiarity with it is essential for students who wish to have a firm grasp of the subject matter.The outline also contains three examinations and a final examination. By taking each examination and comparing your answers with those provided, you should be able to estimate how well you have mastered the basic principles of psychology.