#online_college_for_psychology
With a life-span of little more than a century, psychology is in the first flush of youth, compared with, for example, medicine or philosophy. On the other hand, it is surprising that, despite its 100-year history in Aotearoa/New Zealand, a comprehensive textbook of psychology, written specifically for students in Aotearoa, has not been available. So, I felt both delighted and honoured when Helen Cox, Acquisitions Editor at Pearson, asked if I would be interested in embarking upon the project that has culminated in this textbook.
Because psychology is the science of mental life, its subject matter is extremely broad – embracing literally anything you can think of, including the ability to invent stories, compose music or design new objects. So, although psychology is a science, its scope includes the human capacity to imagine, to create and appreciate art, and also the ability to construct different ways of understanding the physical, social and cultural environment in which we live. In this sense, psychology plays a distinctive role in bridging the intellectual gap between the physical and biological sciences on the one hand, and the humanities and creative arts on the other.
However, textbook writing is a bit like painting the legendary Forth Bridge in Edinburgh, Scotland – by the time it’s finished, you need to pick up your paint brush and start again. So, as I write the final sentences for this textbook, I have two thoughts.
First, I hope that the content will be of value to students and teachers of introductory psychology in Aotearoa/New Zealand; and, secondly, I am getting ready to pick up that brush again, because my mind is already brimming with plans and improvements for the next edition!
Link: Hidden link, please register and comment to see the download link, thank you.