| Synopsis: |
Learning is central to the adaptation of all organisms to their environments. By providing students with a comprehensive and reader-friendly approach that stresses relevance and the similarities between animal and human learning, this book fills the current void in this area. Unlike several of the currently available texts that feature an historical or person approach, this text will feature a concepts or ideas approach. Although the historical/person approach may have a certain amount of appeal, students will learn more when concepts and ideas are stressed and the persons behind the concepts are not the focal point. For example, the authors stress types and schedules of reinforcement rather than delving into Skinner's background and childhood in Pennsylvania. I. Special Features A. Emphasis on Evolutionary Thinking Because all areas of psychology are moving toward biology and there are biological correlates for all behaviors, the authors infuse biological/evolutionary thought throughout the text. B.Adaptation of Learning Section In keeping with the evolutionary emphasis, each chapter will conclude with an "Adaptation of Learning" section that highlights the biological impact or biological constraints in the area covered by that chapter. In this regard, it is noteworthy that Timberlake's (2001) "behavior systems approach" proposes that (a) learning modifies preexisting instinctive systems, rather than creating a newly organized behavior, and (b) variations in learning occur between and within species. Such considerations lead directly to numerous examples of adaptation. C. Emphasis on Relevance As already noted, there is a need for students to see the relevance of the material they are studying in the psychology of learning course. To meet this need the authors * Infuse real-life examples throughout each chapter * Have a "Where Would You Find This Behavior in Your Own Lives?" in each chapter. These recurring sections will help students see the relevance and applicability of the learning principles they have studied. D. Scope As the title suggests, the authors present a comprehensive text that really does go from rats and pigeons (e.g., basic learning processes) to the classroom (e.g., educational psychology) and beyond (e.g., human choice behavior). E. Emphasis on Core Concepts, Not Details; Concept Charts The book emphasizes core concepts, rather than details, throughout the text. For example, it is more important for students to understand the general concept of extinction than memorize details of numerous experiments that manipulated the number of extinction trials. Moreover, each chapter will include a 1-2 page "Concept Chart" that will summarize the core concepts covered in that chapter. F. Margin Definitions The authors provide definitions of key terms in the margin of the page where the terms are introduced for easy access. G. Review Summaries Because students master material better in small chunks, the book includes one or more Review Summaries in each chapter. PowerPoint Materials The inclusion of PowerPoint materials has become virtually a necessity for any text to be competitive in the current market. Such materials will accompany this text.WebCT/BlackBoard Shell Another growing trend in the development of textbooks is the availability of a WebCT or BlackBoard shell so that adopters of a book can implement these resources quickly and easily. The WebCT/BlackBoard Shell (or the Instructor's Manual) should include a set of assignments for the students to complete. |