Psychology

Our Psychology Collection features a diverse group of study guides, from pioneering texts by Sigmund Freud and B.F. Skinner to self-help books and contemporary nonfiction about human nature, the mind, and social psychology. If you’re an educator looking to round out a college-level syllabus, or a book club organizer with a penchant for curiosity and dynamic discussion, this collection could help you find just what you're looking for.

Give and Take

by Adam Grant

Publication year 2013

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Teamwork, Power & Greed, Self Discovery

Tags Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, Psychology, Leadership, Psychology

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, by Adam Grant, explores the concept of reciprocity in the workplace and how it can lead to personal and professional success. First published in 2013, the book bridges the genres of business psychology and self-help, providing readers with actionable strategies to enhance their careers and professional relationships. Grant, an organizational psychologist and professor, draws on his extensive research and real-world examples to demonstrate the power of... Read Give and Take Summary

Giving Voice To Values

by Mary C. Gentile

Publication year 2010

Genre Reference/Text Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Teamwork, Community, Education, Justice, Power & Greed, Language

Tags Self-Improvement, Psychology, Education, Education, Leadership, Business & Economics, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy

... Read Giving Voice To Values Summary

Go Ask Alice

by Beatrice Sparks

Publication year 1971

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Shame & Pride, Coming of Age, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Justice, Truth & Lies

Tags Depression & Suicide, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Psychology, Psychology, Mental Illness, Classic Fiction

Initially advertised as an anonymous, true story of a teenage girl, Go Ask Alice (1971) by Beatrice Sparks is an epistolary novel, or a fictional work structured as a diary. The diary entries chronicle two years of a teen girl’s experience with social acceptance, family relationships, and drugs—primarily marijuana, LSD, and amphetamines. Although Beatrice Sparks initially claimed to be the diary’s editor, considerable evidence suggests that she’s the sole author of the fictional work. Nevertheless... Read Go Ask Alice Summary

Going Solo

by Roald Dahl

Publication year 1986

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Community, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Memory, Nostalgia, Mothers, Social Class, Colonialism, Globalization, War

Tags Social Science, Sociology, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Relationships, Self-Improvement, World War II, Military & War, Action & Adventure

... Read Going Solo Summary

Grit

by Angela Duckworth

Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Chinese Literature, Asian Literature, Leadership, Science & Nature, Business & Economics, Parenting, Psychology, Psychology, Self-Improvement

Angela Duckworth’s best-selling 2016 book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance describes how persistent practice, and not mere talent, is the key to success among students and professionals. Duckworth’s extensive research demonstrates that young people do best in activities that hold their interest and give them a sense of purpose. This encourages them to practice hard and overcome obstacles until they achieve mastery and success in school and, later, in their professional lives. The... Read Grit Summary

Habits of the Heart

by Robert N. Bellah

Publication year 1985

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Community, Economics, Nation, Politics & Government, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Social Science, Arts & Culture, Sociology, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, Politics & Government

Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life by Robert N. Bellah, Richard Madsen, William M. Sullivan, Ann Swidler, and Steven M. Tipton, is a sociological study published in 1985 that explores the balance between individualism and community within American society. The authors, who bring a collective background in sociology and theology to their analysis, investigate how Americans navigate the tensions between personal autonomy and social belonging. The book addresses topics such as... Read Habits of the Heart Summary

Helter Skelter

by Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry

Publication year 1974

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Family

Tags Crime & Law, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Religion & Spirituality, Biography

Vincent Bugliosi (1934-2015), the lead prosecutor in the case of the murders committed by Charles Manson and his followers, wrote the book Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders as a detailed account of the trial, evidence, and interviews with the witnesses that eventually put these horrific criminals behind bars. Written with the help of ghostwriter Curt Gentry, the book highlights Bugliosi’s insider’s perspective on the events, with detailed explanations of the gory... Read Helter Skelter Summary

Hidden Potential

by Adam Grant

Publication year 2023

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Self Discovery, Education, Equality

Tags Psychology, Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, Leadership, Education, Education, Science & Nature, Psychology

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Hinds’ Feet on High Places

by Hannah Hurnard

Publication year 1955

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Fear, Love

Tags Christian, Symbolic Narrative, Psychology, Religion & Spirituality, Self-Improvement, British Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Hannah Hurnard’s 1955 novel Hinds’ Feet on High Places is an allegorical portrayal of purgation, progress, and ascent within the spiritual life. Born to Quaker parents, Hurnard struggled with her faith in her youth but experienced a powerful conversion at the age of 19. Inspired, she gained theological training in England and went on to author almost two dozen books over the course of her life, including a sequel to Hinds’ Feet entitled Mountain of... Read Hinds’ Feet on High Places Summary

Homo Deus

by Yuval Noah Harari

Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology, Environment, Future, Appearance & Reality

Tags Science & Nature, World History, Philosophy, Anthropology, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Politics & Government

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2015) is a work of popular science by Israeli writer, professor, and futurist Yuval Noah Harari. Published in multiple languages, it is a continuation of the work of Harari’s previous book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. While Sapiens contextualized the advents of modernity within humans’ evolutionary legacy, Homo Deus speculates about what lies in wait for humanity in the distant future. Harari grounds his discussion in an... Read Homo Deus Summary

Hooked

by Nir Eyal

Publication year 2013

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics

Tags Business & Economics, Psychology, Self-Improvement, Technology, Philosophy, Leadership, Science & Nature, Psychology, Arts & Culture

... Read Hooked Summary

How Children Succeed

by Paul Tough

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Nature Versus Nurture, Mental Health, Race, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Daughters & Sons, Social Class, Education, Equality

Tags Education, Psychology, Parenting, Children`s Literature, Education, Science & Nature, Sociology, Psychology, Self-Improvement

... Read How Children Succeed Summary