Book Description
Dr. James W. Kalat's BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY is the best selling text in the market because of its extremely high level of scholarship, clear and occasionally humorous writing style, and precise examples integrated throughout the text. Throughout all nine editions, the goal has been to make biological psychology accessible to psychology students, not just to biology majors and pre-meds. The goal has also been to convey the excitement of the search for biological explanations of behavior. Kalat argues that biological psychology is "the most interesting topic in the world," and this text convinces many students. Try-it-yourself activities in the book and on-line help illustrate phenomena and procedures described in the text. Accuracy, currency and a clear presentation style have always been the trademark signature of this text and this Ninth Edition has taken these qualities to the next level. An extremely skilled teacher, Dr. Kalat has written a text that not only speaks to today's students but to their professors as well. Accuracy, currency and a clear presentation style have always been the trademark signature of this text and this Ninth Edition has taken these qualities to the next level. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

BioPsychReview
The book overall is good. However, sometimes it is hard to understand what the author is trying to convey---it is as if the book is not written for the lay person--but a medical student. I bought the book for a phyisiological psychology class. I have to read over some parts of the chapters for better clarification. I do like the fact that the book came with a CD-Rom and that the book has a companion website.

amazing, insightful, fun textbook
one of the best textbooks i've read in a while. perfect for introduction to neuroscience courses. The book has many illustrations and helpful comparisons, such as comparing the action potential to a toilet! really good textbook!

good, but not great
This was the textbook for a Neuroscience course I took. The layout is quite nice and makes for a good reference book if you haven't anything else. It is written very well and has great illustrations. However, overall I was disappointed that I didn't learn more from the book. I felt it just did not go deep enough into the various topics and many new research findings are not presented. This book was more of an introduction to the area. Having already taken an introductory course, I was not impressed. That being said, if you have not taken an introductory course maybe this book is for you.

Ectremely Interesting But Not Boringly Technical
Extremely interesting for both undergraduate and graduate readers. Great online help and internet references. Kalat remains true to his history of clear and accurate presentation. (Strongly Recommended)!

Text Book
The book was in perfect shape and a good price! It also arrived very quickly after I ordered it. ... Read more

Product Description
Biological Psychology is a comprehensive survey of the biological bases of behavior that is authoritative and up-to-date. Designed for undergraduates enrolled in Biological Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Behavioral Neuroscience, the book continues to offer an outstanding illustration program that engages students, making even complicated topics and processes clear. The book offers a broad perspective, encompassing lucid descriptions of behavior, evolutionary history, development, proximate mechanisms, and applications. The Fifth Edition has been redesigned to help students study and learn more effectively. Optional advanced topics are available on the Web asA Step Further,streamlining the printed text to emphasize the important points. Each chapter begins with a brief outline and an engaging narrative relating the topic to the human condition. Bold-faced terms are defined in margins and at the end of the book to aid students in remembering key terms. The new edition boasts hundreds of new references, including research students may have encountered in the popular media. Yet critical thinking skills are also honed as the reader is alerted to the many widely held myths about the neuroscience of behavior and educated about facts that sound unlikely to the uninformed. Thorough and reader-friendly, Biological Psychology reveals the fascinating interactions of brain and behavior. ... Read more

Book Description
This #1 best-seller has successfully introduced thousands of students to the intricate relationship between biology and psychology. This Eighth Edition redefines the high standard set by previous editions. It offers the best balance of rigor and accessibility, the most current research, and the most thorough technology integration available for your course--all presented within a unique modular format that supports student mastery and provides instructors with maximum teaching flexibility. In every chapter, Kalat accurately portrays biopsychology as a dynamic and empirical field in which fascinating new discoveries are constantly being made. He captures readers' interest with the latest biological psychology findings, such as how gingko biloba claims to aid memory and coverage of the hypothesis that humans' mate choice patterns are influenced by natural selection. Throughout, the author's goal is not only to convey information, but also to convey his excitement about and dedication to the subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent textbook!
I use this textbook in my undergraduate physiological psychology course. Kalat is very clear, he uses wonderful illustrations, and the CD is a nice resource. I recommend it for other instructors.

cells over systems
I'm a biopsychologist.Kalat is a very good writer with a gift for explaining difficult concepts and for keeping technical issues interesting.I chose his Intro Psych book for my classes for just this reason.My response to this book is a little more mixed.Biopsychology ranges broadly from cellular to systems level research.This book does well at the former level.It gets a little more deeply into the biochemistry than I would prefer but does so well and is impressively up to date.It does less well at the systems level literature.For example, it defines two common imaging terms incorrectly: PET and rCBF (mixing them up with SPECT and PET respectively).Overall, I like the book and chose it for my biopsychology class but every instructor needs to choose based on their own needs for depth and for emphasis.

as for textbooks.....
as for textbooks for a biopsych class, this book is certainly interesting and the enhanced cd is definitely a plus.this book has not yet been used as a pillow for a sudden study break nap.the pictures are clear, the writing is friendly, and it's too bad that more texts can't be like this!

Great textbook!
I'm a freshman Psychology student at the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands)... I used this book to study for my course Biological Psychology (duh!)... Anyway, this book is very organized, good summaries and a clear explanation of all the important concepts... Even if you don't have much knwoledge of biology, you will understand this book... at least I did... ... Read more

Book Description
Biological Psychology is a comprehensive survey of the biological bases of behavior that is authoritative and up-to-date. Designed for undergraduates enrolled in Biological Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Behavioral Neuroscience, the book continues to offer an outstanding illustration program that engages students, making even complicated topics and chains of events clear. The book offers a broad perspective, encompassing lucid descriptions of behavior, evolutionary history, development, proximate mechanisms, and applications. New coauthor Neil V. Watson brings his expert knowledge of the field and the course to the Fourth Edition. This edition is designed to make the book even more readable. Each chapter has been made more concise and now begins with a brief narrative relating the topic to the human condition. The new edition boasts hundreds of new references, including research students may have encountered in the popular media. Yet critical thinking skills are also honed as the reader is alerted to the many widely-held myths about the neuroscience of behavior (different parts of the tongue detect only certain flavors, dogs are color-blind, sleep deprivation makes you crazy), and educated about facts that sound so unlikely to the uninformed (some people cannot feel pain, in some animals only half the brain sleeps at a time, ears make sounds, some people cannot form new memories, experience alters the structure of the brain). Thorough and reader-friendly, Biological Psychology reveals the fascinating interactions of brain and behavior.

Key Features

* The book has an outstanding full-color art program, including hundreds of original drawings that make it easy to understand structures, mechanisms, and processes in the brain.
* Each chapter opens with a brief narrative illustrating an important aspect of behavioral biology that will be made clear to the student by reading the rest of the chapter.
* Chapters end with a summary of the main points and offer recommended reading for students who want to learn more.
* Icons alert students to important methods, clinical issues, competing hypotheses, and instances in which genes, evolution, or neural plasticity are at work.
* Every copy comes with Learning Biological Psychology, an electronic study referenced from CD icons throughout the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A good tool
Book came quickly.It's good if you like to learn... otherwise it would work better to beat yourself in the face with.

Great Introductory Text
I have used both the first and second editions of this text in courses for first-year graduate students in a Psy.D. program.The text is clear, the illustrations excellent, as are the color overheads.This is at exactlythe right level for students who will be clinicians using this informationin understanding and dealing with clients directly (as opposed toresearchers).

good end of the second millenium
I had the chance to give a overlook to prof. M.Rosenzweig text "Biological Psychology...", talking with my assistant teacher, I said, at last a nice, and good text for undergraduate student that are notgoing to be medicine student, but other profesional.This is the text fora change in the teaching of neuroscience; the result of it use will beclear at december 2000. the reasons for this: - clear use of history. -great use of design in each theme treated. - all the aids (cd, etc) areexactly what a beginnig student need. - the use of real neuroanatomy part,are perfectly complement by the pictures, diagram in the text.profs. M.Rosenzweig, A. leiman & S.M. Breedlove thanks from Chile.

Please try again Mr.Rozenweig
This book is a course textbook for my course, but to be honest I find it badly set out, espacially in the index where it's impossible to find anything. I know the guy's an expert in his field but the releventinformation is hard to extract from the very dry tone. I've been tempted onmore than one occasion to simply use it as a computer stand. This may soundlike any other textbook but when you compare this to Kalat's book of thesame name, the difference is unbelievable. As a student I'll take this rareopportunity to say 'good try Mr.Rozenweig, but I think you should take itback and work on it a little more'

The best book on the subject
This is the best introductory book in Biological Psychology/Neuropsychology I have seen so far. Very well written and with beautiful illustrations and pictures that make this interesting subjecteven better. ... Read more

Book Description
Written by Elaine M. Hall of Florida State University, this guide consists of chapter introductions, learning objectives, key terms and concepts, short-answer questions, and approximately 30 multiple-choice test items for each chapter. Many chapters include informational diagrams, and crossword puzzles to test key terms and ideas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Guide to A+
Without this book cramming would've been a lot harder.A must have for the text book. ... Read more

Book Description

Discovering Biological Psychology is a text for the beginning undergraduate course in biological, or physiological, psychology. The book provides a foundational understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system and its relationship to both typical and disordered human behavior.

Written by an author with more than 25 years of teaching experience at schools ranging from community colleges to the Ivy League, this text presents classic concepts, current topics, and cutting-edge research in a style that is at once accessible to beginning and less well-prepared students and appealing to students with stronger backgrounds. Instructors using this text can teach a rigorous course that does not oversimplify the material, while keeping students excited and engaged.

• An effective illustration program supports and clarifies the content.
• Visible student-centered pedagogy guides students through complex scientific concepts.
• In presenting a new topic, the author creates a compelling narrative to bring together multiple related concepts.

Customer Reviews (1)

Good text book.
This book is actually pretty awesome for a text book. The writer throws in some humor periodically and takes a straightforward approach to explanations. There are several charts that summarize information well. And there are some great diagrams that really clarify the writing. There is also a companion website with FANTASTIC animations and practice tests. It's really helpful.

If you want a text book that will make Bio Psyc a little bit easier and a lot more fun I recoomend this text book. ... Read more

Book Description
Written by Elaine M. Hall of SUNY, Buffalo, this guide consists of chapter introductions, key terms and concepts, short-answer questions, and approximately 15 multiple-choice test items for each chapter. Many chapters include informational diagrams, and crossword puzzles to test key terms and ideas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great!
This book was sent quickly, and was in great condition. I have been using it frequently for the class I am taking. Cheers! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Save your money.
Save your money. The companion website for this text book has EVERYTHING that this study guide has and a whole lot more. ... Read more

Book Description
In a visually appealing format, this book demonstrates how such aspects of the brain as neurotransmission and neuroanatomy relate to “real” psychological topics such as emotion, language and learning, sexual behavior, anxiety, aggression, recovery from brain damage, depression, and pain.The book focuses on the structures and function of brain anatomy first, then introduces the resulting behaviors. Topics include: Integrating Explanations; Coordinated Action; Neurons and the Nervous System; The Brain; Development; Sensory Systems—General Principles; Vision; The Other Senses; The Control of Movement; Learning and Memory; From Reflexes to Goals; Emotion; Stress and Coping; Pain; Motivation; Feeding and Drinking; Sexual Behavior; Drugs; Sleep and Waking; Psychopathology; Cognitive Processes and Consciousness.For psychologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Boring and wordy explanations
I took a Biopsychology course with this textbook and I was entirely ungrateful that my professor chose it.This textbook is like a conglomeration of hundreds of research publications, instead of an introductory textbook.It would explain one topic after another without giving the reader a larger view of what all of this means in context to answering big biology and psychology questions.The paragraphs and sections were needlessly long and wordy.Instead of presenting easily accessible information, the author surrounded every fact with long-winded explanations.

Poorly organized! Boring!
As an introductory textbook for Biological Psychology, this book could certainly take a step back.There is jumbles of information slipped in between long, and not to mention boring, wordy non-explanations.I think the author assumes too much of its readers.I can't seem to make sense of half this text, and I'm not dumb!This book was just organized in a fashion that I find extremely confusing.All graphics and the book itself was fine, just the writing was horrible.

Toates on Biological Psychology
This text by Fred Toates is a spectacularly well done summary of the field of biological psychology.Not only would it be a first-rate text for courses, but an excellent self-education tool in one of the most exciting areas of science.The writing is crisp and interesting, permitting relatively easy reading of difficult materials.There are abundant examples to engage any student, and the illustrations are stunning.Toates does not avoid important philosophical issues as do many books of this type.He puts the all too abundant facts in a context which makes assimilation of material a delight. This is on the top of my list of texts to use in the relevant courses.It is also among the foremost I would recommend for those who want to study how brain and bodily functions help make us who we are. ... Read more

Book Description
This clearly and concisely written book provides a general introduction to the interaction of biological systems and behavior. The author assumes the reader has little or no neuroscience background and includes carefully chosen learning aids which allow the reader to make the connection between his own experiences and what physiology determines them.For anyone needing a solid introduction to biological systems and behavior. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Way to Learn!
This book is a requirement for my Psychology class. I love it!! It is easy to understand and study for a test. The definitions are listed on each page! Great!! ... Read more

Book Description
This # 1 best selling text in the market, used at over 1000 colleges and universities, examines the relationship between biological factors (mostly brain activity) and behavior, and shows students what biology has to do with psychology. Kalat communicates the excitement of biopsychology as a dynamic and empirical field in which fascinating new discoveries are being made constantly. As he captures and engages readers' interest, Kalat reveals how aspects of brain activity such as neurotransmission and neuroanatomy relate to "real" psychological topics such as language and learning, sexual behavior, anxiety, aggressive behavior, depression, and schizophrenia. Now thoroughly revised throughout with the latest research, a new design, a beautiful new art program, new pedagogy and new technology resources, this Seventh Edition maintains the strengths of past editions while adding a whole new look and feel in less than 600 pages.

Packaged free with every student copy of the text, this interactive CD-ROM provides study tools, hands-on activities, Web exploration opportunities, chapter-by-chapter quizzing, video clips, and much more. The CD-ROM is integrated at the end of chapters of the text, drawing connections between the CD-ROM and the book. Over 40 minutes of video on the CD-ROM allow students to explore biopsychology concepts in action. Each clip includes an audio introduction by Jim Kalat, relevant figure art from the text, as well as questions that help students understand the connection between the video clips and the art. For the professor, BioPsychLink Presentation CD-ROM for Biopsychology--Advanced PowerPoint presentation software--offers lecture outlines and classroom presentation capability, using art from the text and resources from our exclusive arrangement with CNN videos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not well define enough.....
This book is good for those who have some basic knowledge in biology. For those who doesn't, would find it hard to understand. I have compared it with other text books and I felt that some of the terms are defined verybriefly.

Highly recommended
I highly recommend this book.As an undergraduate psychology student who just completed a physiological psychology course using this text, I can assure professors that it is a very useful, clear, and well organized textbook.It is much better than most college textbooks. ... Read more

Book Description
Understanding Biological Psychology is an accessible and distinctive new core textbook that helps students to appreciate the central role that biological processes play in psychology.

• gives conceptual clarity to a complex and often confusing field;
  
• innovative integration of theory and methods;
  
• covers a core area of the undergraduate syllabus;
  
• accessible, student-friendly text;
  
• synthesizes biological processes with mainstream psychological topics to make the subject both interesting and accessible;
  
• focuses on what biological psychology is for, rather than treating it as an end in itself;
  
• provides basic introductions to biological principles and applications;
  
• covers recent advances, such as neuroimaging and molecular genetics.

Upon publication, the textbook will be supported by an accompanying website containing a multiple choice testbank, weblinks, electronic versions of figures, and other additional resources. Visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/corr for more information. ... Read more

Book Description
Never HIGHLIGHT a Book Again!Virtually all testable terms, concepts, persons, places, and events are included.look no further for study resources or reference material. Cram101 Textbook Outlines gives all of the outlines, highlights, notes, and practice-tests for your textbook. Only Cram101 is Textbook Specific. Cram101 is NOT the Textbook. ... Read more

Book Description

• Includes established theories and cutting-edge developments.
• Presents the work of an international group of experts.
• Presents the nature, origin, implications, an future course of major unresolved issues in the area.

Product Description
Biological Psychology is a comprehensive survey of the biological bases of behavior that is authoritative and up-to-date. Designed for undergraduates enrolled in Biological Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Behavioral Neuroscience, the book continues to offer an outstanding illustration program that engages students, making even complicated topics and chains of events clear. The book offers a broad perspective, encompassing lucid descriptions of behavior, evolutionary history, development, proximate mechanisms, and applications. New coauthor Neil V. Watson brings his expert knowledge of the field and the course to the Fourth Edition. This edition is designed to make the book even more readable. Each chapter has been made more concise and now begins with a brief narrative relating the topic to the human condition. The new edition boasts hundreds of new references, including research students may have encountered in the popular media. Yet critical thinking skills are also honed as the reader is alerted to the many widely-held myths about the neuroscience of behavior (different parts of the tongue detect only certain flavors, dogs are color-blind, sleep deprivation makes you crazy), and educated about facts that sound so unlikely to the uninformed (some people cannot feel pain, in some animals only half the brain sleeps at a time, ears make sounds, some people cannot form new memories, experience alters the structure of the brain). Thorough and reader-friendly, Biological Psychology reveals the fascinating interactions of brain and behavior. ... Read more