Principles of Behavior, Fifth Edition

Rating:
Summary: Satisfactory text
Review: I used this text for an introductory Psychology course. Overall, it was a decent reference.The examples that are offered in the text are practical and allow for a reasonable understanding of the principles of behavior. At times the book seems too simplistic,and superficial in its tone. But, on the other hand, it will be beneficial to those who are struggling with basic concepts such as reinforcement, punishment, contingency, and schedules of operant conditioning. I think that the concept of shaping was simply glossed over and not explored enough. Additionally, I found the humor that was used in some of the text to be offensive and patronizing at times. Certain parts of the book seem somewhat condescending, but other than that it covers the bases fairly well.

Rating:
Summary: Satisfactory text
Review: The (Elementary) Principles of Behavior series continues. This is the text I now use when I teach college-level courses in applied behavior analysis, and students are uniform in their praise for the book's engaging style and easily understood examples. The information is solid and does not get lost in jargon (while simultaneously not watering down information). The humor leaps out at you, sometimes unexpectedly and sometimes with the subtlety of a flying sledge-hammer. An important book for the bookshelf of everyone involved in the field of behavior analysis.

Rating:
Summary: Malott and company do it again
Review: The (Elementary) Principles of Behavior series continues. This is the text I now use when I teach college-level courses in applied behavior analysis, and students are uniform in their praise for the book's engaging style and easily understood examples. The information is solid and does not get lost in jargon (while simultaneously not watering down information). The humor leaps out at you, sometimes unexpectedly and sometimes with the subtlety of a flying sledge-hammer. An important book for the bookshelf of everyone involved in the field of behavior analysis.