50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology : Shattering Widespread Misconceptions About Human Behavior

"In a society in which psychological knowledge is shaped as much, if not more, by supermarket tabloids, talk shows, and self-proclaimed 'self-help gurus' as it is by the latest scientific advances, here is a book that helps students and the public distinguish fact from fiction in the world of psychology. The authors use popular myths as a vehicle for distinguishing science from pseudoscience. Organized around key topic areas of modern psychology such as brain functioning, perception, development, memory, emotion, intelligence, learning, personality, mental illness, and psychotherapy, this book will help students and laypersons to critically evaluate the information and misinformation that is generated by popular psychology"--From publisher description. Read more... Content: Introduction: The wide world of psychomythology -- Brain power : myths about the brain and perception -- From womb to tomb : myths about development and aging -- A remembrance of things past : myths about memory -- Teaching old dogs new tricks : myths about intelligence and learning -- Altered states : myths about consciousness -- I've got a feeling : myths about emotion and motivation -- The social animal : myths about interpersonal behavior -- Know thyself : myths about personality -- Sad, mad, and bad : myths about mental illness -- Disorder in the court : myths about psychology and law -- Skills and pills : myths about psychological treatment. Abstract: "I find each and every chapter excellent and from a teaching point of view, brilliant. The way in which the history of the myths is presented up to the critical but balanced discussion of each myth, is a great achievement. Scott Lilienfeld is well-known for his user-friendly writing style, but in this text he and his co-authors reach a new level. Read more...

50 Great Myths Of Popular Psychology Uses Popular Myths As A Vehicle For Helping Students And Laypersons To Distinguish Science From Pseudoscience.

• uses Common Myths As A Vehicle For Exploring How To Distinguish Factual From Fictional Claims In Popular Psychology
• explores Topics That Readers Will Relate To, But Often Misunderstand, Such As 'opposites Attract', 'people Use Only 10% Of Their Brains', And 'handwriting Reveals Your Personality'
• provides A 'mythbusting Kit' For Evaluating Folk Psychology Claims In Everyday Life
• teaches Essential Critical Thinking Skills Through Detailed Discussions Of Each Myth
• includes Over 200 Additional Psychological Myths For Readers To Explore Contains An Appendix Of Useful Web Sites For Examining Psychological Myths
• features A Postscript Of Remarkable Psychological Findings That Sound Like Myths But That Are True
• engaging And Accessible Writing Style That Appeals To Students And Lay Readers Alike

50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology uses popular myths as a vehicle for helping students and laypersons to distinguish science from pseudoscience. Uses common myths as a vehicle for exploring how to distinguish factual from fictional claims in popular psychology Explores topics that readers will relate to, but often misunderstand, such as 'opposites attract', 'people use only 10% of their brains', and 'handwriting reveals your personality' Provides a 'mythbusting kit' for evaluating folk psychology claims in everyday life Teaches essential critical thinking skills through detailed discussions of each myth Includes over 200 additional psychological myths for readers to explore Contains an Appendix of useful Web Sites for examining psychological myths Features a postscript of remarkable psychological findings that sound like myths but that are true Engaging and accessible writing style that appeals to students and lay readers alike

In a society in which psychological knowledge is shaped as much, if not more, by supermarket tabloids, talk shows, and self-proclaimed self-help gurus as it is by the latest scientific advances, there is a pressing need for a book that helps students and the public distinguish fact from fiction in the world of psychology. 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology answers this need by using popular myths as a vehicle for distinguishing science from pseudoscience. Organized around key topic areas of modern psychology such as brain functioning, perception, development, memory, emotion, intelligence, learning, personality, mental illness, and psychotherapy, this book will help students and laypersons to critically evaluate the information and misinformation that is generated by popular psychology.