The Beguiled Child

Hey all! If you have an interest in psychology (which I think many people do) then you should totally check out these books. I believe everyone has burning questions about their or their friends behaviors, emotions, and so much more. Check out these starter guides to learn the history and implications of psychology.

A lot of these listed books have a similar premise so I am not going to go into too much detail in the descriptions. I think this guide will benefit anyone with an interest in mental health and those who study psychology. Moreover, these books are basic refresher courses on the early coursework of any mental health degree.

I would like to apologize for missing last week’s book review Friday. Personal snapshot, I am in the process of moving and buying a home so I have been super preoccupied. But I have a few great posts coming up so be sure to subscribe! In fact, you should check out some of the previous book reviews! Books for therapists, Superhero books for kids, and (super popular) psychology of pop-culture.

Table of Contents

The Little Book of Psychology

Review: First, this is a simple read with a vast amount of information. It discusses old experiments, influential psychologists, and recent news. Moreover, it is a good resource for any mental health student to review information or for those interested in the subject that want to learn the basics.

The Psychology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

Review: If you’re fascinated by the human mind, The Psychology Book is both an invaluable reference and illuminating read. The ideas in this book are great starting points with simple explanations. You will learn new concepts and be refamiliarized, it covers such a wide range of psychology. As a matter of fact, you could definitely read cover to cover easily, it is not finished with scientific jargon and has explanations for more difficult concepts. Additionally, remember that some of the ideas are not fully explained and need some updated research to gain a full perspective.

It’s still a good book in my opinion. It’s a good way to come to your own conclusions or look further into each idea. I believe it would be a great book for group discussions and starting conversations on opinions. This book is to the point on each subject and filters though unnecessary information and gives you what you need to know right away. This book does not require the reader to have previous information in the subject in order to appreciate the knowledge the book contains.

Psych101: A Crash Course in the Science of the Mind

Review: This is a well put together, concise and easy to understand collection of the figures, theories, and concepts one is likely to encounter in an introductory psychology course. That being said, most of the chapters are short in length, with only some going more in-depth on key events or topics.

I believe this book will satisfy anyone’s curiosity on the topic and could be a fun short read for those already in the psychological field. It is well structured, initially focusing on a chronology based approach of the key contributors and then discussing the key theories. As a matter of fact, this read is perfect if a review is what you are after.

Psychology: A Graphic Guide

Review: First of all, this book is an excellent choice for those needing a brief reference on psychology or those with questions in different areas. It uses lots of diagrams and cartoons and drawings to illustrate and elucidate ideas. Readers will be acquainted with the differences between psychology, psychiatry, and sociology. As well as learn different behavioral techniques, major theorists, and schools of psychology.

In addition, the story brought by the author is easy to digest without actually neglecting the more difficult concepts. Because this book is a first glimpse into the fascinating world of psychology, it does not dive too deep into the subjects, but highlights the basic ideas. The author encourages readers to expand their knowledge with recommendations for other books and resources.

Psychology: A Very Short Introduction

Review: A little more in-depth and scientific than others on this list, this book has a great overview of what psychology is in an academic manner. Moreover, this book will include more references to difficult or complex ideas. Throughout the book the authors will present further reading on some topics that they only brief review. Due to this it wouldn’t be an ideal textbook for those who may be looking for one.

Why We Do the Things We Do: Psychology in a Nutshell

Review: This book examines the important studies and theories in a series of simple questions and answers that shine new and uncomplicated light on the important aspects of psychology. Furthermore, it demystifies the key questions by tracking their origins in the writings of some of the most prominent thinkers in the various fields, showing how these ideas and concepts have developed over time.

Each of the sections are broken down into the key concepts, issues and arguments, and considers how these ideas influence the way each person interacts in their daily life. Overall, definitely a good read for those interested in learning more about mental health in a quick reference guide.

How Psychology Works: The Facts Visually Explained

Review: Perfect both for students and people new to the topic, How Psychology Works has a unique graphic approach. Further, this guide describes a wide range of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It then takes you through treatments, from cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoanalysis to group therapy and art therapy.

This book also explores the role of psychology in everyday situations. Additionally, discover what makes you, you – the unique blend of nature and nurture that makes up your sense of who you are – and psychology’s role in relationships, sport, work, and education.  In reality, it could be referred to as the cliff notes of psychology. Specifically, the concepts are explained in simple terms that anybody new to psychology would understand. There are pictures and drawings that help the reader grasp the material as well.

The Everything Psychology Book

Review: To begin, this book attempts to unravel the most arcane mysteries of psychology including the complex links between our brains, emotions, and behavior. There is scientific information coupled with real-life examples that will definitely help you to grasp basic principles and theories of psychology. A good read, but definitely not the best on this list. Moreover, examples in this book are well-used and described for the benefit of the reader. In conclusion, this book is definitely an easy read and will have you wanting more information on the subjects.

Understand Psychology

Review: Understand Psychology takes you through every aspect of psychology, from child development and social influences to the role of memories and emotions. Further, you will discover how we interact with each other, why we dream, what motivates us, why children need to play and whether watching TV is bad for you. Specifically, the clear structure, packed full of practical examples, makes it easy to learn the essentials you really need to know.

Overall, a very good read and introductory book to the subject. Does not go in-depth into the categories it chooses, but does give brief and very well-written explanations. This is indeed a very worthwhile introduction to various strands of psychology.

The Story of Psychology

Review: The author provides a very thorough and readable account of the history of psychology and many key features. The book goes into the concepts in a logical and sequential order to help readers understand how concepts influence one another through the history of the subject.

The academic story format of this book makes it one of my favorites to recommend to others, as it doesn’t read much like a textbook. An engaging and easily readable book that will definitely will keep your interest while educating you on many important concepts.

Beginner’s Guides: Psychology

Review: Overall, this book is a decent introduction to the general field of psychology. The concepts described in a non-jargon filled way that many readers will easily understand. The book does not go in-depth on many of the subjects and does not offer many opportunities for further reading. I would recommend this book for those attempting to decide the level of their interest in the field of psychology, before engaging in one of the more in-depth books on this list.

Psychology: A Complete Introduction

Review: A great introductory book for people who find themselves captivated by the field of psychology. There are step-by-step guides on various subjects, experiments, and much more. Overall, a decently simple read that is free of scientific jargon.

I found this book engaging and full of reminders of my early psychology courses. None of the sections go in-depth into the subjects, but it would be a great starter in order to find your own specific interests. If you find yourself interested in a section, there are many ‘dig deeper’ sections with additional resources for you to look into.

Psychology: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Subject in One Book

Review: This is a comprehensive review of the psychology field. It can be a good reference for those who are interested in having an introduction to the subject. It may also provide a good review and additional information for those starting a career or education in psychology.

The various chapters describe different branches and disciplines of psychology, as well as includes key experiments and case studies. There are colorful, eye-catching graphics throughout the books to assist in understanding complex ideas. I highly recommend buying this book whether you are studying psychology or just interested in the subject.

Resources

Introduction to Psychology – 1st Canadian Edition (opentextbc.ca)

Introduction to Psychology | Open Yale Courses

Practice Tests and Online Courses | Study.com

YouTube- Introduction Video

YouTube-Introduction Video Two

Introduction to Psychology | Brain and Cognitive Sciences | MIT OpenCourseWare

PDF | Introduction to Psychology (lumenlearning.com)