1/18/2019 10 Psychology Books You Should Read | Northcentral University

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PROGRAMS TUITION & ABOUT STUDENT
10 PSYCHOLOGY BOOKS YOU SHOULD READ
& DEGREES ADMISSIONS NCU EXPERIENCE
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There are classic or influential books in every field that should be read to gain a fuller breadth of understanding. With an eye
to this, we have asked the leaders of Northcentral University School of Psychology to share the indispensable psychology
books from their reading lists.

Compiling their responses, we present 10 Psychology Books You Should Read, which have all made a considerable impact
on the field of psychology.

Their recommendations follow in no particular order:

1. The Scientist in the Crib: What Early Learning Tells Us About the Mind (http://www.amazon.com/Scientist-Crib-
Early-Learning-Tells/dp/0688177883/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427390134&sr=1-
1&keywords=The+Scientist+in+the+Crib%3A+What+Early+Learning+Tells+Us+About+the+Mind), Alison Gopnik, Andrew
N. Meltzoff & Patricia K. Kuhl; William Morrow Paperbacks, 2000.

As recognized authorities on children development, Gopnik, et al, conclude that infants solve problems the same way that
scientists do research: They repeatedly test how things will work against real outcomes, and then modify their initial
“theories” to match that observed reality. The authors use this core thesis to organize their research into a compelling and
interesting read.

2. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking (http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Power-Introverts-
World-Talking/dp/0307352153/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427390110&sr=1-
1&keywords=Quiet%3A+The+Power+of+Introverts+in+a+World+That+Can%27t+Stop+Talking), Susan Cain; Broadway
Paperbacks, 2012.

Filled with years of research from many sources, Cain, renowned for her TED Talk on the subject
(http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en), offers a fascinating exploration of what
constitutes the
WElife
USEchallenges
COOKIES ofONthe world’s
THIS introverts.
SITE TO ENHANCE Including a clear comparison and contrast of introverts and extroverts,
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the author explores how these highly sensitive people might better tackle public speaking, managing businesses, as well as
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navigating
1/18/2019 marriages and other relationships. It10also explores
866-776-0331 (TEL:+18667760331) Psychology Booksintroverts
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extroverted, and as a result introverts are often encouraged to adapt their style of relating. With a wide variety of interesting
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case studies, Cain chronicles the lives of introverts and what they quietly bring to the world.
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3. Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends (http://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Means-Therapeutic-Michael-
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(/PROGRAMS-
1&keywords=Narrative+Means+to+Therapeutic+Ends), (/TUITION-
by Michael White (/ABOUT-
and David Epston; W.W. Norton &(/STUDENT-
Company,
1990. DEGREES) ADMISSIONS) NCU) EXPERIENCE/OUR
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With its often light approach to serious subjects, White and Epston present their experience with a groundbreaking theory, that
NORTHCENTRAL)
people encounter problems when “the stories of their lives” do not accurately represent their actual life experiences. White
and Epston suggest that an effective approach to therapy is the process of shaping and reshaping the lives and experiences of
their patients through “narrative storytelling” – by “storying” and “restorying” experiences – thereby helping their patients
process life experiences. With interesting case studies, the authors show how this approach to therapy helps and empowers
their patients.

4. The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients
(http://www.amazon.com/Gift-Therapy-Generation-Therapists-Patients/dp/0061719617/ref=sr_1_1?
s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427390051&sr=1-
1&keywords=The+Gift+of+Therapy%3A+An+Open+Letter+to+a+New+Generation+of+Therapists+and+Their+Patients), by
Irvin Yalom, M.D.; Harper Perennial, 2002.

A surprisingly easy read, Yalom, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Stanford University, uses his 40 years of clinical
experience to give advice on best practices to the next generation of therapists. The result is as much a personal and profound
memoir of his work as it is useful guidebook. Including his 85 insightful "tips for beginner therapists," Yalom’s book aims to
enrich the therapy process for a new generation of patients and counselors.

5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5 (http://www.amazon.com/Diagnostic-
Statistical-Manual-Mental-Disorders/dp/0890425558/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427389986&sr=1-
2&keywords=Diagnostic+and+Statistical+Manual+of+Mental+Disorders%2C+5th+Edition%3A+DSM-5), American
Psychological Association; American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013.

The 5th Edition of this exhaustive manual is the most comprehensive, current, and critical resource for clinical practice
available to today's mental health clinicians and researchers of all orientations, representing more than 10 years of effort by
international experts across all aspects of mental health. The manual creates a common language for clinicians as they
diagnosis mental disorders, and includes to-the-point information and specific criteria for facilitating objective assessment of
symptoms wherever psychological care is offered.

6. On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy (http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Person-Therapists-

View-Psychotherapy/dp/1845290577/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427389947&sr=1-
3&keywords=On+Becoming+a+Person%3A+A+Therapist%27s+View+of+Psychotherapy), by Carl R. Rogers; Constable,
1974 (revised
WE2004).
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One of America's866-776-0331
1/18/2019 most distinguished psychologists
(TEL:+18667760331) sharesBooks
10 Psychology hisUniversity
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“becoming,” what we have come to know as “personal growth.” While contemporary psychology focuses on minute aspects
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of psychological behavior, or with diagnosing mental illness, Rogers espouses the view that psychology and psychiatry
settings.
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should
(/) aim higher, toward maximizing human potential. Using non-technical
No Thanks jargon,
Allow Rogers has written a book that is both
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groundbreaking and accessible.
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7. The Myth of Mental Illness: Foundations of a Theory of Personal
(/PROGRAMS- Conduct (http://www.amazon.com/Myth-Mental-
(/TUITION- (/ABOUT- (/STUDENT-
DEGREES) ADMISSIONS) NCU)
Illness-Foundations-Personal/dp/0061771228/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427386137&sr=1- EXPERIENCE/OUR
DIFFERENCE/WHY
1&keywords=The+Myth+of+Mental+Illness%3A+Foundations+of+a+Theory+of+Personal+Conduct%2C+Thomas+S.+Szasz),
Thomas S. Szasz, M.D.; Harper Perennial, 1960 (revised 2010). NORTHCENTRAL)

While some see Szasz’s work as an attack and others consider it a work of genius, it is viewed by many as “the most
influential critique of psychiatry ever written,” as Amazon.com puts it. To sum it up, as Szasz wrote so succinctly, “Psychiatry
is…in the company of alchemy and astrology and commits it to the category of pseudoscience. The reason for this is that there
is no such thing as ‘mental illness.’” By so doing, he called the views of every major American psychiatrist into question.
While he acknowledges in the book that people have emotional problems, he insists that these are not mental diseases that can
be treated by medicine like pneumonia or heart failure.

8. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat: And Other Clinical Tales (http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Mistook-
His-Wife/dp/0684853949/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427388243&sr=1-
1&keywords=The+Man+Who+Mistook+His+Wife+for+a+Hat%3A+And+Other+Clinical+Tales), Oliver Sacks, M.D.;
Touchstone, 1998.

Hailed by The New York Times (http://books.simonandschuster.com/The-Man-Who-Mistook-His-Wife-For-A-Hat/Oliver-

Sacks/9780684853949) as “one of the great clinical writers of the twentieth century,” Sacks recounts the case studies of
individuals afflicted with bizarre delusions and intellectual aberrations, but he treats each with great humanity, not as
spectacle. Each is an exploration of people bravely attempting to deal with unbelievable mental obstacles. Whether
schizophrenia or memory loss, Sacks moves his reader to empathize with their plight as well as their triumphs.

9. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Intelligence-Matter-

More-Than/dp/055338371X/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1R1508ZT1QT4JQ1ZS4J2), Daniel Goleman; Bantam
Books, 1995 (revised 2005).

As Amazon.com put it, “Everyone knows that high IQ is no guarantee of success, happiness, or virtue, but until Emotional
Intelligence, we could only guess why.” Thanks to this Pulitzer-nominate science writer there is clearer understanding,
identifying five core areas of emotional intelligence, all based on psychology and advances in neuroscience. Goleman argues
that our emotions are often more important than intelligence in determining individual success by examining factors like
impulse control, self-motivation, empathy for others, and sensitivity in interpersonal relationships.

10. Games People Play (http://www.amazon.com/Games-People-Play-Transactional-Analysis/dp/0345410033/ref=sr_1_1?

s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427394302&sr=1-1&keywords=Games+People+Play%2C+Eric+Berne), Eric Berne; Ballantine
Books, 1964WE
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Considered
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in basic social interactions, and coined the phrase “transactional analysis.” Among the first in a wave of “pop psychology”
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books, Berne identifies and explores the often unconscious
settings. “mind games” we all play as we maneuver through life and
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often referred toAllow
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Which psychology books have impacted your understanding
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