Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Biopsychology

The author adopts a reader-friendly writing style and excellent use of examples to present daunting material in a way students will find exciting instead of burdensome. The text focuses attention on behavior (in preference to physiological mechanisms) and practical human implications, which are reinforced with frequent examples and case studies that keep students engaged in the learning process. Technical details are limited where possible and retained with careful explanations where they enhance understanding. Topics often presented separately are now integrated with other subjects to provide for more meaningful and more interesting discussions. Integration of subjects include language with audition, taste with hunger, olfaction with sexual behavior, and (aspects of) pain with emotion. The more interesting psychological applications (e.g. drugs, sex, emotion) are introduced earlier than in other textbooks to engage the students before plunging into the more technical aspects of the subject. BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR: AN INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY comes packaged with a FREE BioPsych CD that allows students to connect directly to the Wadsworth Psychology Resource Center, work through the quiz items, and explore relevant Web links.

Table of Contents:
1. What Is Biopsychology? Part One: NEURAL FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOR: THE BASIC EQUIPMENT. 2. Communication within the Nervous System. 3. Functions of the Nervous System. 4. Drugs and Addiction. Part Two: MOTIVATION AND EMOTION: WHAT MAKES US GO. 5. Motivation and the Regulation of Internal States. 6. The Biology of Sex and Gender. 7. Emotion and Health. Part Three: COMMUNICATING WITH THE WORLD. 8. Hearing and Language. 9. Vision and Visual Perception. 10. The Body Senses and Movement. Part Four: COMPLEX BEHAVIOR. 11. Learning and Memory. 12. Biological Bases of Intelligence. 13. Psychological Disorders. 14. Sleep and Consciousness. Appendix: Methods of Nervous System Research. Bibliography. Name Index. Subject Index.

About the Author :
Bob Garrett was Professor of Psychology at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana for many years and has held numerous positions there, including Chairperson of the department, Faculty Development Coordinator, and Interim Dean for Academic Affairs. Currently, Bob is a visiting research scholar at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Bob received his B.A. from the University of Texas at Arlington, and his M.A. and Ph.D. at Baylor University. His research interests include biofeedback and brain hemisphere functions.

Review :
" I see the author's writing style, which is very engaging, as a key strength. The use of case studies helps capture the reader's attention; and the integrative presentation of material is very refreshing." "I like the introductory anecdote. I like the easy going, story-like, one-on-one writing style. I think the author tried to write to the students like the author is having a conversation with the student." "The author goes out of the way to write a difficult topic in an approachable format. I think students will actually enjoy reading the text because it includes a wealth of information that is important to their life. In addition, the text is easy to read and at times even produces a laugh." "The key strengths of the chapters involve the easy nature of the writing style, topics flow together very nicely, almost like reading a novel. I rarely found myself having to re-read a sentence or paragraph or losing touch with the topic being discussed. Also, the level is not so simple as to be boring yet not so detailed as to require excessive cognitive effort."