Dictionary of Concepts in General Psychology

(Hardback)

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This book is an important reference source for the origins and subsequent development of the principal concepts that define the discipline of psychology. It provides a quick read for those with specific needs in intellectual history, yet provides sufficient references for the scholar who wants to delve more deeply into the subject. Perhaps more important, it helps the reader to understand the roots of contemporary psychology and the dynamic nature of psychology's concepts. It is a welcome addition to my research library even though it means I now have to redesign my students. The Journal of the History of Behavioral Sciences This volume reports the historical development and contemporary usages of basic concepts in general psychology. The origin and changing connotations of each entry's subject are traced. The definitions are supplemented by bibliographic citations of additional scources of information and by annotations of the cited references. This dictionary stresses the historical development of concepts in scientific psychology, focusing on the subject matter of general psychology and including explanations of behavior in behavioral, rather than physiological, terms. This valuable study relates to all fields of psychology. It is the only reference presently available that can claim to provide comprehensive bibliographic information and it will be immensely useful to reference librarians and students of general psychology.

Reviews

In summary, this book is an important reference source for the origins and subsequent development of the principal concepts that define the discipline of psychology. It provides a quick read for those with specific needs in intellectual history, yet provides sufficient references for the scholar who wants to delve more deeply into the subject. Perhaps more important, it helps the reader to understand the roots of contemporary psychology and the dynamic nature of psychology's concepts. It is a welcome addition to my research library even though it means I now have to redesign my students.-The Journal of the History of Behavioral Sciences
Preceded in this series by dictionaries in fields such as geography, history, and the philosophy of science, this lexicon alphabetically covers about 65 major concepts in general psychology. The series foreword explains the term concept' as an explanation of research findings. Each definition has four sections: the term's current meanings; its origins in the vocabulary of psychology and its evolution to the present; citations of references mentioned in Part 2; and additional citations for further research. Author and title indexes, and approximately 50 cross-references ease retrieval. The dictionary's feature of concept grouping is particularly noteworthy. For example, androgyny' is defined in conjunction with masculinity and feminity; environment' with heredity; behavior' and response' with stimulus. Related words are thus perceived more clearly through association. The authors state that the book is up to date, as studies reviewed were valid at the time of publication. There are a plethora of psychological encyclopedias and dictionaries. . . . Recommended for any academic library with a behavioral science section that can afford a supplementary volume.-Choice
The Dictionary of Concepts in General Psychology would be most useful for a person needing a broad, but well-informed historical overview of important topics in general psychology. For example, it would be a valuable reference for a serious and conscientious student or instructor of general psychology courses who wants to go beyond the standardized and oversimplified accounts available in most introductory texts. It would also be valuable as a starting point for a more scholarly look at some important topics in psychology. In summary, this book is an important reference source for the origins and subsequent development of the principal concepts that define the discipline of psychology.-Inter behaviorist
"In summary, this book is an important reference source for the origins and subsequent development of the principal concepts that define the discipline of psychology. It provides a quick read for those with specific needs in intellectual history, yet provides sufficient references for the scholar who wants to delve more deeply into the subject. Perhaps more important, it helps the reader to understand the roots of contemporary psychology and the dynamic nature of psychology's concepts. It is a welcome addition to my research library even though it means I now have to redesign my students."-The Journal of the History of Behavioral Sciences
"The Dictionary of Concepts in General Psychology would be most useful for a person needing a broad, but well-informed historical overview of important topics in general psychology. For example, it would be a valuable reference for a serious and conscientious student or instructor of general psychology courses who wants to go beyond the standardized and oversimplified accounts available in most introductory texts. It would also be valuable as a starting point for a more scholarly look at some important topics in psychology. In summary, this book is an important reference source for the origins and subsequent development of the principal concepts that define the discipline of psychology."-Inter behaviorist
"Preceded in this series by dictionaries in fields such as geography, history, and the philosophy of science, this lexicon alphabetically covers about 65 major concepts in general psychology. The series foreword explains the term concept' as an explanation of research findings. Each definition has four sections: the term's current meanings; its origins in the vocabulary of psychology and its evolution to the present; citations of references mentioned in Part 2; and additional citations for further research. Author and title indexes, and approximately 50 cross-references ease retrieval. The dictionary's feature of concept grouping is particularly noteworthy. For example, androgyny' is defined in conjunction with masculinity and feminity; environment' with heredity; behavior' and response' with stimulus. Related words are thus perceived more clearly through association. The authors state that the book is up to date, as studies reviewed were valid at the time of publication. There are a plethora of psychological encyclopedias and dictionaries. . . . Recommended for any academic library with a behavioral science section that can afford a supplementary volume."-Choice

Author Bio

JOHN A. POPPLESTONE is Director of Archives of the History of American Psychology and Professor of Psychology at the University of Akron. MARION WHITE MCPHERSON is Associate Director of Archives of the History of American Psychology at the University of Akron.