Cognitive Psychology: Mind And Brain- (Value Pack w/MySearchLab)
Cognitive Psychology: Mind And Brain- (Value Pack w/MySearchLab)
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This book is the first to incorporate neuroscience seamlessly into the study of cognitive psychology. The study of cognition has progressed enormously over the past decade, but no currently available book summarizes and makes accessible the key findings and theories. This book takes a fresh look at the field, and presents it as it actually is today. By integrating findings about the brain into the usual fare for this topic, it provides the foundation for readers to study current research in the field. How the Brain Gives Rise to the Mind; Perception; Attention; Representation and Knowledge in Long-Term Memory; Encoding and Retrieval from Long-Term Memory; Working Memory; Executive Processes; Emotion and Cognition; Decision Making; Problem Solving and Reasoning; Planning and Motor Cognition; and Language. For those practicing in the field of cognitive psychology.
List Price: $ 133.67
Price: $ 89.99
David H. Peterzell "Ph.D., Ph.D." said,
Wrote on March 22, 2011 @ 12:06 am
A step forward,
Eighteen leading scientists, led by Smith and Kosslyn, have reconstructed the foundations of cognitive psychology in an innovative, current, readable, important, factually accurate textbook. First and foremost, they weave recent neuroscientific discoveries into the discussion, without abandoning a primary focus on cognitive psychology. Their sophisticated framework integrates mental and neural levels of analysis, without confusing mind and brain, or structure and function.
Until now, most cognitive psychology texts have tended to follow the organizational format of Broadbent’s (1958) classic, Perception and Communication. Broadbent (1984) wrote, “Since those innocent days, the world has become more complex, so that it is difficult to point to a single summary of the same entire area… One widespread view, which I support, is that the framework of the 1958 book now requires shifting to a different kind of simplistic conceptual framework.”
In the current text, the authors’ framework for discussing memory is unorthodox. They include two chapters on long-term memory followed (not preceded!) by a chapter on working memory. Several unusual chapters include Executive Processes (Chapter 7), Emotions and Cognition (Chapter 8), and Motor Cognition and Mental Simulation (Chapter 11).
One great strength of this text is that it is well written. Kosslyn and others have a tendency to be very interesting in their other publications, so this may not be surprising. Moreover, this book seems to have benefited from aggressive editing for style and clarity. I’m betting that motivated undergraduate students will enjoy this book.
Another great strength of this text is in the selection of the authors who wrote it. They are experts in their respective fields, able to present the material simply and clearly without the loss of accuracy that can attend scientific writing for a general audience. Many of these authors are what you might call Rennaissance scholars, with a wide range of professional interests.
Here are the chapter contents, along with primary authors: (1) How the Brain Gives Rise to the Mind (Kosslyn), (2) Perception (Seiffert, Wolfe & Tong), (3) Attention (Behrmann & Geng), (4) Representation and Knowledge in Long-Term Memory (Barsalou), (5) Encoding and Retrieval from Long-Term Memory (Wagner), (6) Working Memory (Braver), (7) Executive Processes (Smith), (8) Emotion and Cognition (Phelps), (9) Decision Making (Hastie & Sanfey), (10) Problem Solving and Reasoning (Dunbar & Fugelsang), (11) Motor Cognition and Mental Simulation (Decety & Sommerville), and (12) Language (MacDonald).
The first chapter (Kosslyn) provides a little history (remarkably little), and then sets the tone for the rest of the book with sections on “Understanding the Mind: The Form Theories of Cognition”, “The Cognitive Brain”, and “Studying Cognition.” Moreover, it presents a classic debate on (surprise, surprise) the nature of mental imagery. I suppose that it is not too surprising that the book begins by covering these sorts of topics. Even so, I think that this chapter, by THIS author, is very important. Kosslyn has, over the years, been exceptionally careful about how he makes inferences about the brain and mind (e.g., “carving a system at its joints”). Others at the cutting edge have not been so careful or insightful. The combination of meticulous thinking and cutting-edge enthusiasm make for some good stuff. I think the first chapter is a big plus. {Video resources featuring Kosslyn/mental imagery include the Discovering Psychology DVD and a free online Quicktime video from the Edge – Third Culture website. “What Shape are a German Shepherd’s Ears?”)
The second chapter (Seiffert, Wolfe & Tong) is a fine introduction to basic issues in perception. My sense is that the authors strove to be concise and clear, rather than to break new ground in the presentation of topics. The chapter provides a good survey of perception, which is not always the case with cognitive psychology textbooks. Wolfe just wrote/edited a remarkably good textbook on Sensation and Perception (Sinauer). I recommend that you take a look at the text and the textbook’s (free, excellent) website.
My reaction to the third chapter on attention (Behrmann & Geng) was similar to my reaction to the second. Again, I recommend taking a look at Wolfe’s Sensation and Perception textbook, as its chapter on visual attention covers many of the same topics and includes beautiful illustrations.
The eighth chapter (Phelps) was remarkable for its concise treatment of basic issues, as well as its up-to-date treatment of the cognitive neuroscience of emotions. (See Phelps on the Discovering Psychology DVD, by the way). I teach a graduate course on the Cognitive and Affective bases of Behavior at AIU, and I’ve been looking for something like this…
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|helmuthII said,
Wrote on March 22, 2011 @ 12:16 am
Quite respectable,
I had to buy this book for a summer course on cognitive psychology and actually found it to be quite interesting. It uses great examples and is even written using a very “understandable” vocabulary. Overall I’d say it’s a good read for a class, but it’s definitely not something I’d recommend for a pleasure read.
Respectfully submitted,
helmuthII
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|RR "RR" said,
Wrote on March 22, 2011 @ 12:45 am
Excellent condition,
This is an excellent book that has a different perspective on Cognitive Psychology. This has a Psychologist’s perspective. It is a great read for the money it costs. The book was in brand new conditionand it had been well-packed. What was even better was Amazon.com’s prompt delivery… I got it on the day I was traveling abroad and so I could read it on the flight.
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