Cognitive Psychology

Blink - The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

3 stars (Blinking) - Ok but not great...seem to wonder off in too many different directions at times. 5 stars (Really Interesting and an Easy Read) - Blink is a look at all the various things scientists have discovered about how we think without knowing we're thinking. It particularly takes a long, hard look at why it is that people's first impressions so often conflict with either what careful analysis says or what people think they believe. Gladwell looks at a broad range of applications of these ideas. He looks at why, even though Pepsi wins the blind "Pepsi Challenge," Coke continues to be the market leader. He investigates the psychology and split-second thinking that caused the death of an unarmed, fleeing immigrant from over 40 gunshots fired by NYPD officers. He looks at various factors that affect everything from standardized test scores to electing a President. Some have suggested that all Gladwell really tells us is that our first impressions are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. If after reading this book that's all you come away with, you have completely missed the point. The point is that whether those impressions are right or wrong is governed by a complex set of physiologic and experiential rules, and that we can do something about them. Cops can do things to make sure those first impressions don't result in an innocent death. And yes, you can learn to tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi when you drink a whole can, not just a sip. Gladwell is a writer for the New Yorker, and his writing style is very much like a bunch of magazine articles. But they are very GOOD magazine articles, and you want to read them all. 4 stars (Informative) - This book was very interesting to me, though I will admit it got boring at parts. Some sections were just very repetitive and seemed to be overkill, but the overall message the book sent was intriguing. It helped me understand the way the mind works and how people use this knowledge of their mind...
Little- Brown :: Business & Economics & General :: Social Psychology :: Psychology :: Intuition :: Decision making :: Decision Making & Problem Solving :: Cognitive Psychology :: Bu :: Blink - The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Cognitive Therapy- Basics and Beyond

5 stars (CBT STATE-OF-THE-ART) - Hundreds of books about CBT exists, this one is unique. A top reference in the field. Probably one of the best book available on the subject, and most than probably a major one. Aaron Beck daughter have write a superb comprehensive, clear,and practical CBT manual. In my opinion, this is one of "THE" book everybody can recommand without a slightest hesitation. 5 stars (A Great Starting Point.) - As a therapist-in-training, I was looking for a resource that could take me beyond the basics of microskills interviewing. This book has proven to be a good starting point for those who wish to develop their therapy style toward the direction of the cognitive behavior therapy model. Judith Beck's work is dense without being to jargon-ridden; cogent and insightful it walks the reader step-by-step toward a deeper understanding of the cogitive thearpy model of psychotherapy and case conceptualization. Interspersed throughout are case vignettes to highlight the intended point. The book is a tad pricey to be sure, but needful before embarking on other works by the likes of Robert Leahy, Ph.D., who has a tremendous operational grasp of CBT and has written many fine books on the subject. But first grasp the basics...then you can go "beyond." 5 stars (Superb Introductory Book to Cognitive Therapy) - This is truly a superb introductory book to cognitive therapy. I would highly recommend novice counselors, as well as those experienced counselors looking to expand their clinical skills. Judith Beck does an excellent job of walking the reader through the cognitive therapy process. Overall, the book is easy to follow and offers readers practical strategies, as well as the philosophical background to cognitive therapy. I believe this book is already on the shelves of many therapists and educators. ...
The Guilford Press :: Psychology & Psychiatry & Cognitive Psychology :: methods :: Psychotherapy - General :: Psychology :: Cognitive Therapy :: Cognitive Psychology :: Behavior Therap :: Cognitive Therapy- Basics and Beyond

A Whole New Mind- Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age

5 stars (Exciting Mindset) - A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink is an extraordinary book. Finally we are admitting that intelligence, performance, and yes--even success--can be achieved by those who appear to be more creative than academic. Pink goes to great lengths to explain his position relative to the kind of successful worker Americans must become in order to avoid being unemployed. Even better, Pink includes sections called Portfolios where the reader is given suggestions for ways to strengthen his/her "whole new mind." 4 stars (Food for thought) - Where the big issues are concerned -- how to revitalize the U.S. economy in the age of outsourcing, why isn't our educational system working and how do we go about fixing it, etc. -- I've always felt that it was more important to raise the right questions than to come up with quick answers. By that standard, this book is a winner. I think most of us would agree that the world of work (on the personal as well as the national level) has changed radically in the last 20 years. It's not a major logical leap to conclude that, rather than choosing to cultivate the skills and abilities that led to success in the "information age," we should broaden our range. It's possible to argue with the author's list of "six senses," but they're suggestions rather than prescriptions. (Nor are they touchy-feely nonsense removed from the practical world: the concept of "story," for example, is something that every spin doctor understands.) His personal anecdote about the drawing class has immense implications: we view the world (physical and mental) through a fog of preconceptions, and the ability to see what is REALLY there is crucial. I felt that the book wasn't as coherent and focused as his earlier one, but it's thought-provoking and stimulating -- and a good read, too. 4 stars (Richer life ahead) - So what are we mortals, especially those of us in the Western Hemisphere, supposed to do in a world where computers are fast a...
Riverhead Hardcover :: Psychology & Psychiatry & General :: Success :: Science&Mathematics :: Science :: Psychological aspects :: General :: Creative thinking :: Cognitive Psychology :: :: A Whole New Mind- Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age

Human Learning- Fourth Edition

5 stars (Human Learning) - This is an amazingly well written text. Ms Ormrod actually practices what she preaches, so the book is organised as an exemplar of how to help students learn. I bought the book as an optional text for a Masters in Education, then I sat up one night to check it out. It became compulsive reading, very hard to put down. It gives a broad overview of Educational Psychology thinking over a wide period of time, and encapsulates it. It is full of useful references. Many of my colleagues have borrowed this book for various courses and for course development for educational projects. 4 stars (This is a good practical reference book for teachers.) - Human learning gives a good basic understanding of learning theory for teachers and others who are interested in educational psychology. There are some very good examples for all theories discussed. The book jumps around a bit and some of the explanations are too technical. ...
Prentice Hall :: Psychology & Psychiatry & General :: Psychology :: Learning :: Psychology of :: Learning (Psychology) :: General :: Educational Psychology :: Cognitive Psychology :: :: Human Learning- Fourth Edition

The Principles of Learning and Behavior

1 stars (Not for non-psychology majors) - This book is only for those who already have a strong background in biology and psychology. However, if you are new to the subject, then this book is not for you. Students who are taking this subject as an elective will have a hard time with the research style presentation of topics. I'd much rather buy a book that explains topics as clear and concise as possible rather than have a play on words. ...
Wadsworth Publishing :: Psychology & Psychiatry & Cognitive Psychology :: Psychology :: Movements - Behaviorism :: Learning :: Psychology of :: Conditioned response :: Cognitive Psycholo :: The Principles of Learning and Behavior

Color- Environment- - Human Response

5 stars (Excellent Book- Very Helpful) - This is an excellent book. It's very interesting and was the first book of it's kind that I have read. I gives color and light suggestions for different environments such as schools, office spaces, etc. It gives detailed scientific information about why these colors and types of light are good to use in these environments that is easy to understand. I think this book is a must have for all interior designers who care about the effects the environment they design will have on the people that will be in it! 5 stars (Good Enough I'm Looking for the Author) - Help! My cousin in Brazil is trying to contact the author of this book. The letter he sent was returned to him as the address being no good. He had gotten the address out of the back of the book. Does anyone know how to contact the author? ...
Wiley :: Theory of architecture :: Interior design :: Cognition & cognitive psychology :: Architecture & Interior Design :: Interior Design - Professional Reference :: I :: Color- Environment- - Human Response