The Psychology Book

Big Ideas Simply Explained

By: DK

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Explore the history, theories, and concepts of psychology through more than 100 groundbreaking ideas presented in an approachable style that demystifies an often daunting subject matter.

The Psychology Book looks at the biggest names in psychology, including William James, Sigmund Freud, and Ivan Pavlov, and unpacks each psychologist's contribution to our understanding of how the mind works. With straightforward information and a directory of scientists, this audio guide helps untangle the knot of theories behind the science of the mind.

From its philosophical roots through behaviorism, psychotherapy, and developmental psychology, The Psychology Book incorporates the latest thinkings of today's psychologists alongside the theories of ancient philosophers, as well as the key experiments and ideas of the scientists and practitioners of the 19th and 20th centuries.

As part of DK's award-winning Big Ideas Simply Explained series, The Psychology Book breaks down the most mysterious science of all in this essential, accessible, and comprehensive guide to psychology.

Critic reviews

"[The Big Ideas Simply Explained books] are beautifully illustrated with shadow-like cartoons that break down even the most difficult concepts so they are easier to grasp. These step-by-step diagrams are an incredibly clever learning device to include, especially for visual learners." – Examiner.com

"This large, stylish book takes the reader on a quick tour through the history and discipline of psychology, with tiny bits of information and loads of design. The title gets it right: these are indeed big ideas (and also plenty of small ones), and the explanations are simplified and presented in a number of ways." – PsychCentral.com

"The Psychology Book is packed with everything you'd ever study in a Psych 101 class, and, as the subtitle suggests, it's all explained in a clear, simple way." – Wink Books, from the co-founders of Boing Boing

Puts history and a real relatabity to Psychology

I have to day this is the best book on Psychology I've ever read with out a doubt.

Loved the format

This is how a subject needs to be taught in university - going from the roots in history and exploring each major idea without too much bias, so that a student is able to form an informed, independent opinion. Only pluralism allows this.

Reads like a list rather than a book

Doesn't flow well, weird structure

Also, a few things were either oversimplified or false

Great if they didn’t reread over and over again

It seems like they are rereading a timeline that’s pictured in the book. And you will hear the timeline a million times.
Otherwise it’s concise and an easy overview. Not very deep or detailed on the parts I remember but more like a micro synopsis of each piece.

A Good Psychology Overview

As somebody who already knew a lot of the material in this work, I did learn some new things about Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and etc. I think it is a great resource for somebody with no prior knowledge about psychology. If you have taken Psychology 101 or so, you may know 75% of the material here already.

DK doesn’t go into depth, I’d say each of the series is like a 101 class.