This introductory text contains European data, cases and examples alongside traditional American material. European reviewers have been fully involved in the development of the text from its beginnings to ensure a critical attitude towards psychological research.A Complete Teaching and Learning Package:The text itself is the major component of a strong package designed to meet teaching needs and students’ learning needs. Supplementary material is available to lecturers using the text on their courses. Pedagogical features in the text, together with an attractive, user-friendly design, make this text accessible to students coming to the subject for the first time. For teaching (free to adopters): An instructor’s manual A testbank Overhead masters Suggested essay and seminar topics for each chapter. For learning: Opening chapter objectives called agendas Summaries at the end of each chapter Boxed studies presenting interesting cases, controversies and discussion of future research directions Suggested further reading for each chapter A glossary of terms, comprehensive indexes and a complete reference list. An Introductory Text That Takes a Challenging Stance:Style of argument is vital when approaching psychology for the first time. Factors that may modify results and conclusions are taken into account to encourage the student to reflect on alternative theories and approaches to particular topics. The text is not designed to just cover the ground in psychology; it is designed to reflect the development of the discipline, discuss contemporary debates and future directions. What Else is Different?:The structure of Psychology: A Contemporary Introduction is also different from other introductory textbooks. The first key section on developmental psychology establishes a human and cognitive context from which the rest of the book can be better understood by the beginning student. Moreover, it enables the student to begin study with examples of real psychology that will be of immediate interest. The coverage of development takes a lifespan approach, and in leading the student to question a developing biological substrate, it progresses naturally into the next section on biological psychology. Finally the text contains two chapters on applied psychology - something not usually included in introductory textbooks.