Good text, questionable teacher resources, poor customer service

books:


	• Fundamentals of Psychology: The Brain, The Person, The World (2nd Edition) Stephen M. Kosslyn, Robin S. Rosenberg Allyn & Bacon, 2004 - 656 pages average customer review:based on 5 reviews view larger image
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A good hands on text if you pay extra for the program.

This is a good textbook, and it is much better if you spend the extra money to get the MyPsychLab program that accompanies the text. It is worth it to spend the extra money, and the exercises on the program are actually kind of fun.

Good text, questionable teacher resources, poor customer service

I'm teaching out of this text for the first time. The students seem to be getting the information well. To me, the book seems vibrant, appropriately simple and complex, and generally well carried out. I was, however, wooed by the instructor resources, some of which are quite good (if quirky), and some are practically useless. Repeated confusion on behalf of the publisher has exacerbated these problems.

Specifically, the test generating software is priceless. The test bank has a large number of questions, with good item statistics for each question. This software is a bit quirky, but easy enough if you don't frustrate easily. The most significant problem I have had is with the MyPsychLab materials. For some reason (I can only assume copyright), the publisher refuses to let you download demonstrations and videos to your local computer. The couple of times I have worked these into my lecture, either the website will be down, or the videos will load slowly and not play. It has never worked correctly in class. As a tool for students to log into and play with, MyPsychLab is likely more effective. Until the kinks are worked out, do not buy this product with the plan to use these resources in class.

As for the problems with customer service, our sales rep first tried to push the more expensive Kosslyn/Rosenberg text. Getting exam copies with all instructor resources took about two months of emailing back and forth with repeated requests. In contrast, McGraw Hill sent all materials on the first request within three days. I also had significant problems getting the book stocked, resulting in changes to my syllabus (during class) and having to photocopy about 100 pages (book and workbook) for 10 students. This last problem was likely due in part to our campus bookstore, but they claimed some responsibility on behalf of the publisher. I have no data to guess where the problem really originated.

In the end, I like the text, and will use it again. The authors would do well to demand better from their publisher.

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An excellent introduction to the world of psychology

The fascinating world of psychology - with its clinical, counseling, and research umbrellas - is one of the most consistently sought-after fields among laymen and student prospectives today. Almost every person, it seems, is interested in psychology in some degree - but carichatured presentations of the science in the mass media has given it a general unfortunate stereotyped profession. The layman or common person interested in psychology, then, needs a useful, informative text to introduce them to the ins and outs of the science. This book serves as a great introduction. Used as a textbook in introductory psychology courses in colleges throughout the nation, it is a useful tool for sparking your interest in the field. Thankfully, unlike many textbooks and books of this kind, it manages to avoid putting the personal issues and agendas of the author(s) too much to the forefront, and focuses instead on objective, factual information: the book uses a very technical approach that may seem dry to some, but which is ultimately worthwhile for the reader. A highly reccommended introductory text.

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Looks good

I'm seriously tempted to switch to this text when I next teach Intro Psych. I've followed Kosslyn's work over the years and he thinks as deeply and broadly about psychology as anybody I can think of. The book looks good to me. I'm wondering if intro psych students will feel the same way.