The Psychology Book

Big Ideas Simply Explained

By: DK

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Explore the history, theories, and concepts of psychology through more than 100 groundbreaking ideas presented in an approachable style that demystifies an often daunting subject matter.

The Psychology Book looks at the biggest names in psychology, including William James, Sigmund Freud, and Ivan Pavlov, and unpacks each psychologist's contribution to our understanding of how the mind works. With straightforward information and a directory of scientists, this audio guide helps untangle the knot of theories behind the science of the mind.

From its philosophical roots through behaviorism, psychotherapy, and developmental psychology, The Psychology Book incorporates the latest thinkings of today's psychologists alongside the theories of ancient philosophers, as well as the key experiments and ideas of the scientists and practitioners of the 19th and 20th centuries.

As part of DK's award-winning Big Ideas Simply Explained series, The Psychology Book breaks down the most mysterious science of all in this essential, accessible, and comprehensive guide to psychology.

©2019 DK (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"This large, stylish book takes the reader on a quick tour through the history and discipline of psychology, with tiny bits of information and loads of design. The title gets it right: these are indeed big ideas (and also plenty of small ones), and the explanations are simplified and presented in a number of ways." (PsychCentral.com)

"The Psychology Book is packed with everything you'd ever study in a Psych 101 class, and, as the subtitle suggests, it's all explained in a clear, simple way." (Wink Books, from the cofounders of Boing Boing)

Puts history and a real relatabity to Psychology

I have to day this is the best book on Psychology I've ever read with out a doubt.

Loved the format

This is how a subject needs to be taught in university - going from the roots in history and exploring each major idea without too much bias, so that a student is able to form an informed, independent opinion. Only pluralism allows this.

Reads like a list rather than a book

Doesn't flow well, weird structure

Also, a few things were either oversimplified or false

Great if they didn’t reread over and over again

It seems like they are rereading a timeline that’s pictured in the book. And you will hear the timeline a million times.
Otherwise it’s concise and an easy overview. Not very deep or detailed on the parts I remember but more like a micro synopsis of each piece.

for psychology lovers

The best historical overview of psychology schools and psychologists I have read so far. I really like the way content is organized.

This Book Opens Doors to those Adventurous and wanting more of an Understanding to the world around them

Great and Knowledgeable book that’s all about knowledge and of knowing about the mind body and spirit!

Great book

Highly recommend this book for a better understanding of psychology. DK’s books are always worth it

Horrid narration, dull except when it came to over-pronunciation of names

Narrator seems to pour more energy into wanting to show her prowess in pronouncing foreign names than she did in narrating the actual text. Awful, brutal, unlistenable.

Date ranges and quotes

I feel like after listening to this book I heard was date ranges and clips of quotes and the names of psychologists the worst freaking book I ever listen to

Uselesssss

If u enjoy lots of citations, no pragmatic application and a soothing voice, this is the perfect text, along of course with lots of useless autobiographical data dumps.