Introduction to Scientific Psychology / Edition 1

by Henry D. Jr. Schlinger, Alan Poling

Overview

We humans are faced with an interesting problem: That which we think we un­ derstand the most-our own behavior-we probably understand the least. On the eve of a new millennium. the planet is beset by a host of problems that are. for the most part. caused by human behavior. Ironically. although it seems that the greatest impact of our behavior is on the planet and its other inhabitants. we may actually be threatening our own future the most. For example. we have caused untold harm to the air we breathe. to the water we drink. and. by extension. to much of the food we eat. More important perhaps. we have created a society in which. among other things. many people are anxious and depressed. young women starve themselves. and alcohol and cigarette use are responsible for hundreds of thousands of cases of illness and death every year. And humans still murder one another at an astounding rate. while at the same time continu­ ing to affirm the value of human life. At a time when it is critical that our chil­ dren become educated. more and more children are not learning the basic skills they will need to think logically so that they can begin to solve the world's problems. The question may be not "Can the planet survive?" but. rather. "Can we humans survive and change our own destructive actions?" Although many scholars. philosophers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306457289
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	05/31/1998
Series:	NATO Science Series B:
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	388
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Schlinger, Henry D., Jr. (Western New England College); Poling, Alan (Western Michigan Univ)

Table of Contents

I. Scientific Psychology.- 1. Historical Origins.- 2. Science and Psychology.- 3. Research Methods.- II. Behavioral Causation.- 4. Phylogeny: Evolution and Behavior.- 5. Ontogeny: Classical Conditioning.- 6. Ontogeny: Operant Conditioning.- 7. Neurophysiology and Behavior.- III. Applications of Scientific Psychology.- 8. Language.- 9. Cognition.- 10. Human Evolutionary and Prenatal Development.- 11. Development through Early Childhood.- 12. Individual Differences: Intelligence, Personality, and Social Behavior.- 13. Troublesome Behavior.- References.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Zoran Martinovich(Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This is an introductory text reviewing the history, methods, and major findings in the field of psychology.
Purpose: The purpose is to introduce a natural science approach to psychological inquiry. The authors emphasize throughout that all behavior is determined, and that a natural science approach redresses the failure of many traditional approaches to produce an effective behavior-change technology. The authors admit a "somewhat more limited" scope than most other introductory texts, defining the domain of "scientific" psychology in terms of observable behavior. They emphasize the superiority of the "true" experiment as the primary instrument for establishing scientific truths, but do not adequately cover arguments that support alternative models.
Audience: It is intended for undergraduate psychology students. The authors are credible authorities in their behavioral research areas, but their background is reflected in the book's relative emphasis on conditioning models and controlled experiments. Unfortunately, these emphases convey the false impression that a behavioral or cognitive-behavioral focus is generally accepted as the essence of scientific psychological inquiry.
Features: Coverage of treatments for "troublesome behaviors" illustrates this narrow content focus. Virtually all of the described treatments fall within the domains of psychopharmacology, behavior therapy, or cognitive-behavior therapy. There is little mention of the diversity of psychotherapies practiced, and no mention of the many studies that demonstrate no difference in outcomes. Although the authors ignore a number of noteworthy areas of inquiry, their coverage of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral perspectives is excellent.
Assessment: This book provides a cogent behavioral perspective on what scientific psychology is, and represents the position of a number of respected scientists. However, it does not represent fully the diversity of contents and methods of inquiry regarded as scientific among psychologists; therefore, I would not recommend it as the primary text for an introductory psychology course.

Doody's Review Service

Reviewer: Zoran Martinovich(Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This is an introductory text reviewing the history, methods, and major findings in the field of psychology.
Purpose: The purpose is to introduce a natural science approach to psychological inquiry. The authors emphasize throughout that all behavior is determined, and that a natural science approach redresses the failure of many traditional approaches to produce an effective behavior-change technology. The authors admit a "somewhat more limited" scope than most other introductory texts, defining the domain of "scientific" psychology in terms of observable behavior. They emphasize the superiority of the "true" experiment as the primary instrument for establishing scientific truths, but do not adequately cover arguments that support alternative models.
Audience: It is intended for undergraduate psychology students. The authors are credible authorities in their behavioral research areas, but their background is reflected in the book's relative emphasis on conditioning models and controlled experiments. Unfortunately, these emphases convey the false impression that a behavioral or cognitive-behavioral focus is generally accepted as the essence of scientific psychological inquiry.
Features: Coverage of treatments for "troublesome behaviors" illustrates this narrow content focus. Virtually all of the described treatments fall within the domains of psychopharmacology, behavior therapy, or cognitive-behavior therapy. There is little mention of the diversity of psychotherapies practiced, and no mention of the many studies that demonstrate no difference in outcomes. Although the authors ignore a number of noteworthy areas of inquiry, their coverage of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral perspectives is excellent.
Assessment: This book provides a cogent behavioral perspective on what scientific psychology is, and represents the position of a number of respected scientists. However, it does not represent fully the diversity of contents and methods of inquiry regarded as scientific among psychologists; therefore, I would not recommend it as the primary text for an introductory psychology course.

This is an introductory text reviewing the history, methods, and major findings in the field of psychology. The purpose is to introduce a natural science approach to psychological inquiry. The authors emphasize throughout that all behavior is determined, and that a natural science approach redresses the failure of many traditional approaches to produce an effective behavior-change technology. The authors admit a ""somewhat more limited"" scope than most other introductory texts, defining the domain of ""scientific"" psychology in terms of observable behavior. They emphasize the superiority of the ""true"" experiment as the primary instrument for establishing scientific truths, but do not adequately cover arguments that support alternative models. It is intended for undergraduate psychology students. The authors are credible authorities in their behavioral research areas, but their background is reflected in the book's relative emphasis on conditioning models and controlled experiments. Unfortunately, these emphases convey the false impression that a behavioral or cognitive-behavioral focus is generally accepted as the essence of scientific psychological inquiry. Coverage of treatments for ""troublesome behaviors"" illustrates this narrow content focus. Virtually all of the described treatments fall within the domains of psychopharmacology, behavior therapy, or cognitive-behavior therapy. There is little mention of the diversity of psychotherapies practiced, and no mention of the many studies that demonstrate no difference in outcomes. Although the authors ignore a number of noteworthy areas of inquiry, their coverage of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral perspectives isexcellent. This book provides a cogent behavioral perspective on what scientific psychology is, and represents the position of a number of respected scientists. However, it does not represent fully the diversity of contents and methods of inquiry regarded as scientific among psychologists; therefore, I would not recommend it as the primary text for an introductory psychology course.

Zoran Martinovich

Defining psychology as the science of behavior, Schlinger (Western New England College, Springfield, MA) and Poling (Western Michigan U., Kalamazoo) offer what is admittedly narrower in scope than most standard introductory textbooks. E.g. given their natural science orientation, Freud, personality, and humanistic psychology only merit brief mentions; the "troublesome behavior" of mental illness is relegated to the last chapter. Featured are sections on: the historical origins of scientific psychology, behavioral causation, and applications of such. Includes study questions. Making flashcards of the glossary terms is a suggested behavioral learning aid. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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