Heads Up Psychology

May 19, 2014
Filled with intriguing topics, this guide to human behavior highlights ideas central to developmental, biological, cognitive, and other branches of psychological study, while introducing preeminent psychologists and their contributions. The crucial infant-mother bond, how the brain makes decisions and processes memories, mental illness, and the science of emotions are among the topics covered. Attention-getting headers ("Why do good people do bad things?" introduces a discussion of the human capacity for evil) should hook curious readers, while the findings of psychological studies should deepen their understanding of this field. Infographics, sidebars, and photos both create an inviting visual layout and underscore the concepts discussed. Ages 13â17.

June 1, 2014
Grades 7-10 In this attractive book, Weeks takes a difficult, often misunderstood topic and breaks it into manageable, engaging chunks. Using broad, overarching questions, each of the five sections probes one specific area of psychology. Pertinent questions for teens include, What does my brain do? How does my mind work? and Where do I fit in? By interspersing explanations of topics and research studies with biographies of great thinkers, psychological pioneers, and researchers, Weeks helps readers connect fields of psychological study with names they may have heard or read. In true DK fashion, format, graphics, text boxes, pixelated portraits of scientists, bubbles, and balloons all contribute to making this a busy but appealing companion for high-school psychology textbooks. Although not in chronological or alphabetical order, the appended directory of psychologists and their theories is quite useful.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)