General Psychology 2013 (Birion)

Authors: Juan C. Birion, Marilou C. Asturias, Elmer G. De Jose, Jane Marie M. Dimacisil, Percival B. Salise, Jonathan B. Tinio, Jan Joseph Villegas

In writing this book, we believe that an introductory- course in psychology should provide clear understanding of what psychologists study, how they think and how they work. We also have a feeling that the teaching of an introductory psychology should cover wide and general topics fitting for a one-semester course covering as many topics that would be useful especially to those who would embark in advanced studies in this interesting academic field_ That is the reason why fifteen chapters are included in this book touching on topics of interest of the various schools of thoughts with varying perspectives. We do not intend to be eclectic, but we believe that psychology should not be structured and retarded due to boundaries in such a way that would hamper new knowledge and discoveries to emerge. Our understanding of human behavior should be continuing through intensive research and let novel theories and assumptions grow since human activities continue to change brought about by new gadgets and technology.. The student should'. able to gain much knowledge of facts and principles governing human behavior_ This is our gain

This book is truly a group effort. Two psychology professors from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Dr. Juan C. Birion who leads the group, together with Prof. Elmer G. De Jose, Assistant to the Vice President for Research; Vice President of Student Affairs of the Rizal Technological University, Dr. Marilou C. Asturian Prof. Jane Marie M. Dimacisil, professor of psychology and philosophy at the University of Perpetual Help-Biñan, Laguna (UPHL); Prof. Percival B. Salise, psychology professor of the University of Manila: Prof. Jonathan B. Tinio, Program Coordinator of the Psychology Unit of the College of Arts and Sciences at Holy Angel University-Angeles City. Pampanga; and Dr. Jan Joseph Villegas, International Lecturer of Psychology and Biological Sciences at the Asia Pacific Region. We were involved in the book's production in one way or another_

This book may not be the perfect book as we envisaged, but it is certainly an adequate representation of the most important areas in psychology. Hopefully, it will advance understanding of human behavior and will lead to newer, snore encompassing and more -useful principles governing human behavior. Its distinct features compared with other books in circulation are the inclusion of topics on history of psychology in the Philippines, and with some special topics on human development, intelligence and cognitive psychology, counseling psychology, social psychology and psychological assessment. Photographs of noted psychologists were illustrated so that students and readers will get familiar to them. Special types of exercises and techniques could help teachers vary in their approaches to teaching and make these approaches interesting and meaningful to students. A general psychology hook should develop in the students the attitude of studying human behavior in a scientific way that psychology is a science. It is to these students that this book is aimed, and it is hoped that the features of the text will help reach its targets.