This is an introductory textbook that is readable and palatable, and that arouses interest by focusing on the thought-provoking questions that arise within a study of biological psychology. The textbook provides a secure place for students to learn about biological psychology. The author's conversational style is helpful as he talks the reader through the more straightforward and also the more conceptually demanding sections. The text is written in a way that is sensitive to the common problems students face as they grapple with biological psychology concepts. The writing approach is gentle on the reader with regard to terms and meaning, so that the student is gaining an extended vocabulary without realising it and with minimal effort. Some good use of humour throughout the chapters serves to lighten the feel of the reading material. There is a two-tier approach to the book, which works well in that two different groups of students are being catered for. Those with biopsychology phobia have an accessible text, whereas those who want a thorough account of key areas have a strong text, capable of answering questions and arousing interest.
The pedagogical features of the chapters are all very useful in permitting the reader to get to grips with the contents of each chapter in an enjoyable and effective way. The `Scene-setting questions' at the beginning of the chapters are excellent for provoking interest, and for indicating the scope and direction of the chapter. Relevant issues are flagged up and can be thought about before the reader engages with the chapter contents. Section summaries are also valuable. These serve to highlight the principal ideas that have been addressed in the chapter sections. The `Test Your Knowledge' boxes are another helpful feature. They are thought- provoking, and their structured approach with answers provides the reader with the sense that they understand the important issues.
This second edition is helpfully integrative in two respects. An integrated brain, body and human emerge from the text, but also biological psychology is integrated with other psychological areas. The biological psychology perspective is connected to other psychological perspectives with ease. Such connections permit the student to relate their study of biological psychology to others areas of psychology that they may feel more comfortable with. These links are useful and are likely to serve to make the student both more interested in biological psychology and more confident when delving deeper into this study area. The author understands the sorts of problems students encounter when exposed to biological psychology for the first time. It is written by an excellent teacher, and something of his teaching style has successfully transferred to the pages of this edition.
My reaction to this new edition is that it has made a good textbook even better, and that the shifts and changes represent a move in entirely the right direction.
Dr Graham Mitchell
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in Psychology
The University of Northampton.
12th December 2006