Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

 Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Psychological Issues, 16e 
(edited by Brent Slife of 
Brigham Young University). This reader presents current controversial issues in a 
debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical think-
ing skills. Each issue is thoughtfully framed with an issue summary, an issue intro-
duction, and a postscript. An instructor’s manual with testing material is available 
for each volume.
Acknowledgments
One of the central features of Understanding Psychology is the involvement of both 
professionals and students in the review process. The tenth edition of Understanding 
Psychology 
has relied heavily—and benefi ted substantially—from the advice of 
instructors and students from a wide range of backgrounds. 
I am extraordinarily grateful to the following reviewers, who provided their time 
and expertise to help insure that Understanding Psychology, Tenth Edition, refl ects the 
best that psychology has to offer.
 MANUSCRIPT REVIEWERS
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Michelle Merwin 
University of Tennessee at Martin
Peter Metzner 
Vance-Granville Community College
Karen Miranda 
Mount Ida College
Robert Moore 
Iowa Valley Community College
Ronnie Naramore 
Angelina College
Jennifer Ortiz-Garza 
Victoria College
Diane Reddy
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Victoria V. Roark 
Troy University
Justin Rueb 
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Elizabeth Satchell 
Austin Community College
John E. Sparrow 
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Jason Spiegelman 
Community College of Baltimore
Amber Vesotski 
Alpena Community College
Susan Whitbourne 
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
In addition, Jane W. Couperus of Hampshire College provided exceptional sup-
port in helping identify appropriate neuroscientifi c research to include in the Neuro-
science in Your Life features. I thank her for her superb work. 
Many teachers along my educational path have shaped my thinking. I was intro-
duced to psychology at Wesleyan University, where several committed and inspiring 
teachers—and in particular Karl Scheibe—conveyed their sense of excitement about 
the fi eld and made its relevance clear to me. Karl epitomizes the teacher-scholar 
combination to which I aspire, and I continue to marvel at my good fortune in hav-
ing such a role model. 
By the time I left Wesleyan I could envision no other career but that of psy-
chologist. Although the nature of the University of Wisconsin, where I did my grad-
uate work, could not have been more different from the much smaller Wesleyan, the 
excitement and inspiration were similar. Once again, a cadre of excellent teachers—
led, especially, by the late Vernon Allen—molded my thinking and taught me to 
appreciate the beauty and science of the discipline of psychology. 
My colleagues and students at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, pro-
vide ongoing intellectual stimulation, and I thank them for making the university a 
fi ne place to work. Several people also provided extraordinary research and editorial 
help. In particular, I am grateful to my superb students, past and present, including 
Erik Coats, Sara Levine, Jim Tyler, Chris Poirier, and Matt Zimbler. John Bickford, in 
particular, provided editorial input that has enhanced the book considerably. Finally, 
I am grateful to John Graiff, whose hard work and dedication helped immeasurably 
on just about everything involving this book. 
I also offer great thanks to the McGraw-Hill editorial team that participated in 
this edition of the book. Steve Debow’s hands-on interest, as well as his friendship, 
helped support the book through the last decade. Editorial Vice President Mike Ryan 
and Editorial Director Beth Mejia created a creative, energetic, and supportive envi-
ronment, and I am in awe of their enthusiasm, commitment, and never-ending good 
ideas. I also thank Cara Labell and Sue Ewing, Developmental Editors on this edition. 
They did a superb job of managing a myriad of details (as well as me). I’m also 
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pleased that Sponsoring Editor Krista Bettino worked on this edition of Understand-
ing Psychology. She brought motivation, intelligence, and good ideas to the project. 
Finally, every reader of this book owes a debt to Rhona Robbin and Judith Kromm, 
developmental editors on earlier editions of Understanding Psychology. Their relentless 
pursuit of excellence helped form the core of this book, and they taught me a great 
deal about the craft and art of writing. 
Central to the design, production, and marketing process were the Production 
Service Manager Chris Schabow, Lead Production Editor Anne Fuzellier, Buyer II 
Tandra Jorgensen, and Designer Ellen Pettengel. Photo editor Toni Michaels did her 
usual superb job in identifying photos and, as always, was a pleasure to work with. 
I would also like to thank marketing managers Julia Flohr and Yasuko Okada for 
their enthusiasm and commitment to this project. I am proud to be a part of this 
world-class team. 
Finally, I remain completely indebted to my family. My parents, Leah Brochstein 
and the late Saul D. Feldman, provided a lifetime foundation of love and support, 
and I continue to see their infl uence in every corner of my life. I am grateful, too, to 
the late Harry Brochstein, who enriched my life and thinking in many ways. 
My extended family also plays a central role in my life. They include, more or less 
in order of age, my nieces and nephews, my terrifi c brother, and my brothers- and 
sisters-in-law, and the late Ethel Radler. Finally, my mother-in-law, the late Mary Evans 
Vorwerk, had an important infl uence on this book, and I remain ever grateful to her. 
Ultimately, my children, Jonathan, Joshua, and Sarah; my daughters-in-law Leigh 
and Julie; my grandson Alex; and my wife, Katherine, remain the focal point of my 
life. I thank them, with immense love.