Psychology as a Science and a Profession

Developed to bridge the content covered in psychology survey courses and more advanced undergraduate psychology curriculum, Psychology as a Science and a Profession helps students better understand psychological science and the variety of potential careers available to them within the field. Throughout the text, students are empowered to find relevant research articles in scientific journals, recognize their predictable structure, and comprehend the main points of a study. They learn how to evaluate scientific claims made in the media and other non-scientific outlets. In exploring these various facets of psychological science, students gain a greater understanding of the discipline and can better determine if a career in psychology is for them. The book is organized into three sections. Unit I defines psychology and psychologists' roles, presents the rationale for studying the discipline, shares best practices to help students succeed in their psychological studies, and provides an overview of careers in psychology and other related areas. The chapters in Unit II begin with an overview of scientific principles, next address strategies for success in finding, reading, and writing psychological science, and conclude with ethics in psychology. The final unit addresses principles of research as applied to psychology. Psychology as a Science and a Profession is an ideal textbook for courses and programs in psychology, especially those emphasizing research methodology.