50 great myths of popular psychology : shattering widespread misconceptions about human behavior

Lilienfeld, Scott O. 1960- (author. ). Lynn, Steven J., (author. ). Ruscio, John, (author. ). Beyerstein, Barry L., 1949- (author. ).

Summary: "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." --

Record details

ISBN: 9781405131124
Physical Description: xx, 332 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.
print
Publisher: Chichester, West Sussex : Malden, MA : Wiley-Blackwell, [2010]

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

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 the law -- Skills and pills : myths about psychological treatment.