For courses on Adjustment, Coping, Personal Growth, Mental Health, and Applied Psychology. This careful and balanced blend of personalization, advice, and science is intended for those who are interested in applying psychological insights and principles to their own lives as a way of achieving a better understanding of themselves and of living more effectively. By underscoring several important societal (not just personal) themes, the reader is compelled to focus on other people as much as the self. Content is drawn from the psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic viewpoints and includes contributions from clinical, personality, social, and developmental psychology, as well as from cognitive, biological, and health psychology.

This book is intended for those who are interested in applying psychological insights and principles to their own lives as a way of achieving a better understanding of themselves and of living more effectively To this end, I have included material from the major perspectives of psychology, including the psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic viewpoints. Since a well-rounded text cuts across several branches of psychology, I have included contributions from clinical, personality, social, and developmental psychology, as well as from the important fields of cognitive, biological, and health psychology. Throughout the book, I've presented differing views on the same issue, along with questions that are designed to stimulate readers' critical thinking. My aim is to increase readers' understanding as well as their knowledge about personal adjustment, in order that they may continue learning on their own. Major features of this eighth edition are explained in the following sections. NEW ORGANIZATION This edition of the book has been reorganized, with some chapters retitled to reflect an increasingly personalized tone. Please note if you are a former reader of this book: The chapters still stand alone; that is, you can read them out of order and still understand all of the material even though you have not read a preceding chapter. The introductory chapter on self-direction and social change remains at the beginning, of course. The second large unit, however, is about development or the state of "becoming." The chapters on childhood and adulthood can be found here, rather than finding the chapter on adulthood way at the end of the text. The third large unit pertains to the individual in the present or in a state of "being:" Here you will find the chapters on self-concept, health, personal control, and decision making, as well as emotion and motivation. The next large unit is about the social side of adjustment and growth. Here are located the chapters on friends, groups (leaders and followers), and work and leisure. This unit is followed by an apt unit about closer intimate relationships. This short unit contains chapters on sexuality and on committed or intimate relationships. Finally, any book about personal growth and adjustment would be incomplete without including material on the challenges each of us faces. The last unit, then, contains chapters on stress, mental health and disorder, therapy, and death and dying. Please let me know how you feel about this organization, and remember that the chapters are self-contained so can easily be read in any order you wish. I can be reached at duffy@geneseo.edu. NEW CONTENT I have made some changes to the content of the book to reflect changes in the field of psychology in addition to world events. First, there are many new and updated references as well as new glossary terms. You will also find new or additional information on the following topics: Technology and how it affects our lives. The threat of terrorism and how it has changed the way we live and cope. Environmental psychology and how the environment is changing and affecting each of us. Positive psychology and the way it is refocusing the whole field of psychology. Population changes related to many topics as evidenced by the latest census. The status of America's children and what the future holds for them. Changes in the American family and how they affect the individual members. Historic changes in social attitudes and community problems. Gender similarities and differences, especially as related to education, career choice, leadership, and so on. Charismatic and transformational leadership and group behavior. What it means to age successfully and healthily as well as ways to accomplish healthy aging. Methods we can utilize to feel better about ourselves or impro