Reviews (19)

My Opinion on In a Different Voice
I thought that I was going to be overwhelmed with feminist views when I first checked this book out of the library; I was rather turned off. But when I started to read, I was intrigued. It was interesting to see the contrast between the different genders.
A Myth is Born
In Psychology, as in other academic disciplines, the normal process is to conduct research on significant numbers of subjects, have the methodology and results peer reviewed, publish the research, then perhaps cross over to mass media.Gilligan has used Harvard's cache to ignore this responsible and time honored protocol.She used tiny samples, reached unwarranted conclusions, rushed them into print on the mass market, and started making the talk show circuit.Now, over 20 years later and after thirty some reprintings, she still has not published her research! Furthermore, she refuses to allow other researchers to see her data!
Good starting point for learning about women's psychology
Originally published in 1982, this book was in its 33rd printing when it was reissued in 1993.It describes the developmental differences between men and women and what that means.Harvard professor Carol Gilligan explains that male development has typically focused on separation, individuation, logic, and hierarchy.Female development, on the other hand, has emphasized attachment, relationship, connection, and communication.I had several "ahas!" while reading this book for the first time in 2003.While I've always discounted some of Sigmund Freud's work, it had never occurred to me that much of traditional psychological theory, including the work of Jean Piaget, Erik Erickson, and Lawrence Kohlberg, has also been based on observations of men, then applied to women.As a result of comparisons to male norms that don't fit their own experience, women have often felt discounted and inferior, rather than simply different.It made sense to me that these comparisons and significant developmental differences often result in women feeling selfish and guilty when focusing on their own needs, rather than those of others.It also fit my experience that men and women tend to respond differently to attachment and separation issues.According to Gilligan, men see danger more often in intimacy than in achievement, while women sense more danger in impersonal and competitive situations.Gilligan's observations have generated quite a bit of controversy over the years (as indicated by some of the previous reviews on this list!), but ring true for many women (including me), and have been used as a stepping stone for the work of many later authors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Developmental Psychology    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Longitudinal studies    4. Mental Health    5. Moral development    6. Psychology    7. Psychology Of Sexuality    8. Sociology    9. Women    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Philosophy & theory of psychology    12. Popular psychology    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    14. Social, group or collective psychology    15. Women's studies   

Reviews (2)

Great interactive CD
The interactive CD includes websites, video clips, audio clips, and tests, that increase interest in the subject matter.It's fun.

Interpersonally...
...I read this book for an undergraduate class and thought it was very good.One problem-- the final chapter was too brief, they should have split it into three like the previous edition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Interpersonal Communication    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Textbooks    8. Communication Studies    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication    10. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (4)

good, for a text book
I am finding more and more that text books give the worst account of history.This book proved that point.For an overview of the history of psychology, the book was okay.However, I found many times that the theories of the psychologists were so watered down, one can hardly get a good idea of their original studies and propositions.I know it is difficult to read each and every work of each and every psychologist, but this text book is a waste of time for anyone who really wants to understand how ideas developed.In addition, I get really annoyed when writers do not quote the original author.Most of the quotes in this book were taken from other text books or biographers.

Verbose
The book, from a historical view point, is concise.However, it is inundated with extraneous information and overstated detail, leaving one yawn-inspired.I am a psyche major and even my professor agreed that this text was rather verbose.It was his first semester instructing a hx of psyche course and he claims he will not be incorporating this text into future sessions.

All YouWant To Know About The Development of Psychology
The first time I read this book I was so delighted. I had borrowed it from the Public Library to help me with writing a paper. Never did I think I would find everything I needed to know about why and how psychology was developed,and the men that advanced science into the various systems/theories of psychology!Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. Psychology    3. History of ideas, intellectual history    4. Psychiatry    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology   

Reviews (2)

Use This Instead of the 7th Edition!!
If you are taking a class that calls for the 7th Edition, you can use the 6th edition of this book.Not much changed except that a few chapters were switched around.I used the 6th Edition in a class that used the 7th Edition and got an A.: )I'm sure everyone can think of a lot better ways to spend $90+!
Foundational book for conflict resolution
Easy reading, with good examples of the various types and styles of conflict management, metaphors and escalation.Upon hearing the fate of Phil Hartman, I immediately thought of this book, and how its examples may have definately helped, as it has helped me to clarify issues in my marriage.However, the book failed to incorporate enough visual demonstrations of its "hands-on" ideas such as flowcharts or other types of process charts, thus probably causing the "visual-learner" type of audience to not be able to keep track of the "how-to" process.The book was used for a Public Conflict Resolution Ph.D course, however I would recommend it for any type of college course relating to conflict management. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conflict (Psychology)    2. General    3. Interpersonal conflict    4. Social Psychology    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Violence in Society    8. Conflict resolution    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Speech   

Reviews (23)

Not male-bashing, but patriarchy bashing
I am applying to graduate school to be a Marriage and Family Counselor and I believe this book will be my guiding star. I've read a few reviews that claim it to be "male-bashing" or "all women are right, all men are wrong". Those who have written this must have not read the caring, empathic way that Terry has addressed the hurt that disconnection has caused these men he chronicles. I have many wonderful men in my life - a caring father, two wonderful older brothers - and I understand Terry's point that masculine in not necessarily an assignation of gender. There are masculine and feminine qualities, and both genders can have any of them. Predominantly, the men have masculine ones - however, did these reviewers not notice the example of the woman who fled to the "power-up" position in a masculine fashion? The response is wrong - not the gender that has this response forced upon them.
Fantastic!
I would recommend this book to everyone, especially anyone who grew up in the 50's and 60's where children were "seen and not heard", where men were raised to be straight-backed leaders of the family and women were raised to achieve less. Terrence Real's writing is creative, intelligent and reveals his deep concern for his clients. This book addresses so many of the issues my family and friends struggle with that I bought additional copies as gifts for them.

Just once I'd like to read a relationship book that isn't male-bashing
I'm with Tom Breton (reviewer) on this.Jeez, every book it seems I have read on relationships that talk about men, women, and society basically says that it's "all the man's fault," in some way, shape or form.I would love to see a book on relationships that discusses the many ways women disappoint menrather than seeing vice versa all the time.
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Subjects:  1. Interpersonal Relations    2. Marriage    3. Marriage counseling    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    6. Sex role    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    8. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (2)

good job.
exactly what i expected. delivery was on time and the condition of the book was accurately described in the original order, so no surprises or missing pages.

Satisfied Customer
Product was what they said it was and speedy service.Very satisfied with my purchase. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Ethnopsychology    3. History    4. Intercultural communication    5. Personality and culture    6. Psychology    7. Social Psychology    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    9. Social, group or collective psychology   

Subjects:  1. Movements - General    2. Positive psychology    3. Psychology    4. Social Psychology    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    6. Psychology | Social   

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Physiological Psychology    3. Psychology    4. Social Psychology    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    6. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (11)

Read it or Weep
This is one of those books that you only come across by chance. I became aware of this book by snooping around a friends office and saw it on the shelf with ruffled pages and post it notes sticking out of it. At first I couldn't tell if it was a bible or not, but it seems it was my friends bible.
Excellent text
I am very impressed with this text.All textbooks should be written in this style.It is as if reading a story (although not quite that entertaining).One almost learns without realizing it.

Where Psychology meets Culture
Aronson's emminently readable volume is packed with useful--if not always profound--insights and information that go a long way towards explaining many of the abnomal "normalities" of our own society.Although Aronson's volume is far from being preachy, it is difficult not to make certain connections within our own society that have the character of being drawn directly from Aronson's experiments.Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. General    3. Social Psychology    4. Sociology    5. Sociology - General    6. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (3)

Well written and interesting therapeutic model.
Richard Schwartz clearly explains his therapeutic model of working with sub-personalities (parts) in a way that empowers the client to lead their lives from their Self instead of having one or more of their 'parts' run the show!Although I have intuitively been working this way in a gestalt framework, his model gives many guidelines to make this process smoother and avoid pitfalls in this type of work.An excellent guide.

A "must have" book for those entering the counseling field.
Through personal application of the therapies described in this book, I found it to be profoundly enlightening. It shed bright lights on the origins of my own thoughts and self-talk. Experiencing the benefits of the therapies, seeing that they work, it provided the best form of teaching to me as to how it can be a valuable resource for helping one's self and for helping others. Having specialized in pastoral counseling while earning my Masters of Divinity degree, this book has done more to help me understand the multiple (and valuable) personalities all persons develop from childhood to adulthood and then how to use these therapies in a counseling setting. Its methods provide such a positive way of looking at ourselves, at other individuals, and at family dynamics. The concept of internal family systems therapy makes so much sense that I hope more therapists and counselors discover it, utilize it, and recommend it.

This book with permanently change your view of psychotherapy
Internal Family Systems Therapy by Richard C. Schwartz represents the author's attempt at documenting a fascinating journey into the inner lives of clients.His model uniquely applies systems thinking to internalprocess, seeing our inner lives as yet another level of human systems. As Iread this book, I was taken aback by how psychodynamics suddenly becamecoherent to me in a way that made intuitive and intellectual sense. Schwartz takes the reader through the development of the IFS model, anddemonstrates how the therapy emerged from his interactions with hisclients.He is successful in describing the step-by-step process of IFStherapy that is tied directly to the theory.Read more

Subjects:  1. Movements - Psychoanalysis    2. Psychology    3. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    4. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    5. Family & relationships    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Family Therapy    7. Psychotherapy    8. Social, group or collective psychology   

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Cognitive neuroscience    3. Life Sciences - General    4. Neuropsychology    5. Neuroscience    6. Psychology    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Social Psychology    10. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    11. Science / Life Sciences / General   

Reviews (171)

Very useful!
Suited for the average person, this book contains information on profesional help via medications and therapies, non-professional support, and self-help assesment tools.
Great resource - demystify your experience of anxiety
The book contains a wide variety of information, ideas and suggestions about what social anxiety is, what causes it and what keeps it going.By choosing this book, you can be sure that you will be exposed to many angles of understanding social anxiety - from emotions, stress and negative self-talk to medication, food and nutrition.
Solid Techniques
This book is different from most self-help books because it offers solid self-help techniques instead of just explaining the psychology and background behind the disorder.Author Dayhoff isn't just an observer of SA/SP, she's been there too.I would have rated this book a 5 because I actually improved after reading it, but I had to give it a 4 for two reasons: one, the book seems a bit disorganized so it's hard to retain all the information without constantly re-reading; and two, because she uses psychology terminology that you would not understand unless you had at least one course in General Psychology.But don't let that stop you from reading it if you suffer from SA/SP, because it really is helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anxiety    2. Popular works    3. Psychology    4. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology    5. Social Psychology    6. Social phobia    7. Anxiety Disorders    8. Bashfulness    9. Clinical Psychology    10. Psychology & Psychiatry    11. Shyness   

Reviews (4)

A magnificent volume
In this volume, Professor Bandura situates the self-efficacy construct within a theory of personal and collective agency that operates in concert with other sociocognitive factors in regulating human well-being and attainment. Bandura also addresses the major facets of agency - the nature and structure of self-efficacy beliefs, their origins and effects, the processes through which such self-beliefs operate, and the modes by which they can be created and strengthened.In addition, Bandura reviews a vast body of research on each of these aspects of agency in diverse applications of the theory. Must-reading for everyone interested in psychology and, specifically, self-efficacy beliefs.

A significant contribution to the field of psychology.
Albert Bandura explores the self-system throughout lifespan. Self-regulation and perceived self-efficacy help people to adjust to realities of each life's stage, from early childhood till aging and preparation to death. Bandura 's Self-Efficacy Helps Understand Human Nature
Dr. Bandura has written an excellent book for scholars, researchers, as well as the casual observer of human nature and behavior. It is comprehensive and well documented. He helps one understand why some people seem to get what they want and need out of life and others do not. I give it my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Control (Psychology)    2. Movements - Psychoanalysis    3. Personality    4. Psychology    5. Self-efficacy    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (1)

Great practical book - Good job Vijay !
This is a very interesting book with tons of practical examples and situations from the four companies the author studied. It's a great book about the organizational culture, strategies and personalities that encourage corporate entrepreneurship. It could be a valuable tool to any company engaged in new business / new product development. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Creative ability in business    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Executive ability    7. Management - General    8. Structural Adjustment    9. Business & Economics / Management    10. Labour economics    11. Organizational theory & behaviour    12. Social, group or collective psychology   

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Social Psychology    3. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    4. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (88)

Nails it ...
God bless for Martha Stout for writing this amazing book.If you have ever encountered someone who defies explanation, who you just feel uncomfortable around, who you don't trust, you must read this book.Someone has finally revealed in a most readable manner true sociopathic behavior and how it can exist without being called to task for the horrendous damage it can do.I truly think this book should be on the bestseller list, just so it reaches more people.It gives a voice to everyone who has been affected by sociopathic behavior whether they have realized what it was or not.Thank you Martha Stout for writing this fascinating book.Your courage is deeply appreciated.

A MUST read!!
You just never know who you are dealing with!I do believe that this book is imperative reading for any human-being who cares about their psychological health and the health of their friends and family.

Read With Caution: Misrepresents Our Armed Forces
The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout (2005), in the main, is on the mark. It is clear, straightforward, and the examples are easy to follow. But, I take strong exception to the impression Dr. Stout leaves that the soldier in general and special operations professionals (snipers, undercover operatives, hand-to-hand specialists), in particular, are sociopaths. She says: "To some extent, we can think of sociopaths as being shaped and maintained by society because nations so often require cold-blooded killers, from anonymous foot soldiers. . . Sociopaths are fearless and superior warriors. . .(Stout 2005:139).
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Subjects:  1. Antisocial personality disorde    2. Antisocial personality disorders    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Mental Illness    5. Mentally ill    6. Personality    7. Personality Disorders    8. Psychology    9. Psychopathology - General    10. Psychopaths    11. Social Psychology    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Personality   

Reviews (5)

Happy w/ material covered.
After reading a few of the reviews I found it extremely interesting that every one of them gave their opinion about what the book should have been. I have a comment, "It has already been written and there's not much that can be done other than publishing a new edition. I feel that since the scope of social psychology is extremely broad, just pinning it down is a challenge. At this point, you might be woundering why I hold such perspective. As a future reasearcher, I feel that people don't realize how much work it takes to put reasearch toghter. If this people that wrote their reviews even got a little taste of what it takes to put toghter all this work, they would realize that their comments are quite insignificant.
Very detailed but lacking in one key area
Surprisingly, this book is enjoyable to read (this coming from a college student).It presents an engaging real-life story at the beginning of each chapter to cause the student to become interested in the content of the chapter that goes after the story.It weaves the stories into each chapter's content and wraps it all up at the end in thought-provoking conclusions.What drives me crazy is its index.This is a sore spot for me because many text books are lacking here.But this book is worse than some.It devotes dozens of pages (at least 35) to its crazily enormous list of references, and has 19 pages devoted to a names index.What student cares about any of this?!(Which makes one wonder who this book is really for..?)Its lonely index sulks in the corner all by itself - all 15 pages of it.I have yet to find a single word I've looked for (out of an attempt so far of perhaps 10).
the doors of cognition !
this book opens the doors of cognition ; in fact , when tiing a famous person ( ie : demora , luther king , kenwrinkel ) to notions of social psychology like ( social role , influence , aggression , etc ) , it allows our memory to widen , and teach a method to learn more and more easily !Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Social Psychology    3. Sociology - General    4. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (3)

Pretty impressed
Just bought this book to use in groups and loaned it to a colleague of mine before I read it.He said that it was wonderful and that I should go ahead and find the time to read it.He was right, this book is going to be enormously useful to me.

Invaluable!
This guide provides a variety of exercises which add "flesh" to any group interaction.I used it daily when I worked as a rehabilitation skills therapist with mentally ill adults.The exercises provided a means to communicate, create trust, and build relationships.The exercises range from simple to elaborate and fit into many situations.This book is a great resource to use with children, adolescents, and in certain contexts with adults.It's a must-have for any therapist, counselor, teacher, or mentoring adult.

Very effective and enjoyable activites
SiriNam Khalsa's book never sits on my book shelf for more than a few days.I work with kids who need to practice a variety of social skills and exhibit low self-esteem. I find these exercises to be non-threatening and areal catalyst for insight and change.I highly recommend this book to allprofessionals in the helping field, teachers and counselors included.I'mlooking forward to Volume II?! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity programs    2. Group psychotherapy    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    5. Psychology    6. Psychotherapy - Group    7. Self-esteem    8. Social Interaction    9. Social Psychology    10. Social Science    11. Social skills    12. Sociology    13. Sociology - General    14. Study and teaching   

Reviews (12)

Status Anxiety
The author provides a wide breath of historical and cultural information.The book is an invaluable resource for anyone who is not caught up in the pursuit of high status.The tone is straight forward and sympathetic.

Anti-capitalist and PC, but good history lesson
One reviewer mentioned that the book is good for people who want to write a paper, and I would agree wholeheartedly. The book gives you a good overview of the concept and history of status anxiety from a historical perspective, and this makes the book worth reading (particularly the first half). However, I was disappointed with the shallowness and lack of insight into the psychology of status anxiety. I was also thoroughly disgusted in a few places by the author's politically correct language and themes as well as his obvious dislike for capitalism. It is also correct that the second half of the book is far less valuable; his solution to the problem of envy (the core of status anxiety) is basically to eliminate the things people are envious of (such as luxury items, or the types of economic incentives that are naturally available to industrious people in free-market capitalism)--instead of getting to the root of what psychologically causes envy in the first place. The author acknowledges the fact that culture has the greatest impact on the level of envy in society but believes that economic freedom and industrial development naturally create these cultural conditions. I believe that instead, a society is more prone to envy when its moral fabric has corroded--a condition not necessarily related to that society's economic system. Culture of Narcissism by Lasch is a much deeper analysis which comes to this conclusion (although Lasch himself may not have been a poster child for capitalism either). However, if you can look past the problems I have indicated and you have an unbiased, independent mind (or, for that matter, you love reading anti-capitalist, anti-white male propaganda and you don't think enough of that exists already) and would like to know more about the history of status anxiety, you will find the book valuable.

What About Me?
The craving for approval and recognition, the fear of being seen as a Loser or a Nobody, are all summed up in a condition that Alain de Botton calls "status anxiety". Anyone who has seen the British comedy series "Keeping Up Appearances" will probably agree that Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "bouquet") is a chronic sufferer of this condition. Status anxiety also encompasses envy, social climbing and comparisons to our peers, something more commonly known as "keeping up with the Jones's". It's not enough to be happy with what we've got.
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Subjects:  1. Movements - Pragmatism    2. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    3. Philosophy    4. Psychology    5. Social Psychology    6. Philosophy / Pragmatism   

Reviews (5)

The Most Important Thing to Learn in College
Many college students go to school filled with the idea that they will learn the subjects they chose to study.No one tells them that the most important thing in their life is going to be the ability to communicate. Even Einstein with all of his brilliance worked at a low level in the Swiss patent office until he published his famous papers.
Great Communication Theory Book... to start off with
This book is not really orientated at making you a better interpersonal and intercultural communicator (although it could be a start towards this), it is more of a book on interpersonal and intercultural theory. This book was the basis of my Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication Studies course at UQ in Australia. It is very simple to read, a high school student could easily understand this. I think this is a good thing, however, because as some of my lecutures demonstrated, interpersonal communication theory can be very dry and dull at some points! So I am giving this book five stars because althoug simplistic, I believe it tells you the basics of interpersonal comunication theory, and is a great starting book if you are interested in this!

Too Much Theory and Not Enough Substance.
I read through this book as part of an Interpersonal Communication class I took. I'll admit right off the bat that I have a biased view about the book because I read it in a class where I was the only person over 21 in a room full of freshman. With that said, I'm really glad I had the life experiences I've had to protect me from the leftists propaganda contained within. I'm also very thankful that I was never forced to read such dribble when I was a freshman in college because it can really mess you up. Most of the book is based in and upon interpersonal communication theory and there isn't a whole lot of practical information given. Not only that, but the book almost totally ignores the moral and ethical issues that are inherently apparent in interpersonal communication. Instead, the author has taken a humanistic (and fairly Machiavellian) approach and illustrates the power that good interpersonal communication skills can give a person.The book does have some good things to say, but overall it's more of a tool in brainwashing freshmen with useless knowledge than anything else. There's a lot of theory, but not much substance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Interpersonal Communication    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Psychology    6. Communication Studies    7. Performing Arts / Theater / General    8. Social, group or collective psychology