Psychology: a Research Guide

Psychology: A Research Guide

A relatively new field that came into its own during the 19th century, psychology has its roots in philosophy, physiology, and psychiatry and includes the study of human and animal behavior. Psychology can be categorized by the following sub fields: cognitive, abnormal, social, and developmental psychology. This document serves as a starting point and identifies some of the more general resources available for students and researchers. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library’s catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Biographical Dictionary of Psychology edited by Noel Sheehy, Antony J. Chapman, and Wendy A. Conroy. New York: Routledge Reference, 2002. ISBN: 0415099978.

Includes basic information on 500 individuals who have had significance influence in the field of psychology. Lists birth, nationality, education, awards, and publications.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV, 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994. ISBN: 0890420610.

Provides a classification of mental disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, eating disorders, paranoid disorders, etc.) and attempts to describe in detail their symptoms, manifestations, and etiology when known.

The Dictionary of Psychology by Raymond J. Corsini. Philadelphia: Brunner/Mazel, 1999. ISBN: 158391028X.

Brief definitions of over 10,000 psychological terms.

Encyclopedia of Human Behavior edited by V.S. Ramachandran. 4 vols. San Diego: Academic Press, 1994. ISBN: 0122269209.

250 signed articles arranged alphabetically includes glossary, introduction on topic, and bibliographies. Topics range from adolescence to brainwashing and totalitarian influence.

The Encyclopedia of Psychology edited by Alan E. Kazdin. 8 vols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN: 1557986509.

Covers all areas of psychological theory, research, and practice including concepts, methods, theories, findings, major figures, schools of thought, and emerging areas of interest. Produced by the American Psychological Association and Oxford University Press.

The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2nd ed. by Bonnie B. Strickland. Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. ISBN: 0787647861.

Includes 500 entries on topics covering key concepts in psychology. Provides definition of term preceding each entry. Illustrations accompany entries where appropriate.

The Mental Measurements Yearbook edited by Oscar Krisen Buros. Highland Park, NJ: Mental Measurements Yearbook, 1940–. ISSN: 00766461.

Designed to assist users in the fields of education, psychology and industry to make intelligent use of standardized tests. It provides critical descriptions of these tests as well as extensive bibliographic references to books and articles about them.

The Oxford Companion to the Mind edited by Richard L. Gregory and Oliver L. Zangwill. New York: Oxford University Press, 1987. ISBN: 019866124X.

Signed articles ranging in length from extensive (Freud, intelligence) to brief (halo effect, shock). Some entries include bibliographies.

Survey of Social Science (Psychology Series) edited by Frank Northen Magill and Jaclyn Rodriquez. 6 vols. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 1993. ISBN: 0893567329.

Provides general reader with insight into psychology topics with 410 articles including topic significance, key terms and definitions, overview, application, context an bibliography. Topics are more broad than specific.

Journals

American Psychologist

APA Monitor

Contemporary Psychology

Psychological Assessment

Psychological Bulletin

Psychological Methods

Psychological Review