Cognition: The Thinking Animal

by Daniel T. Willingham, Cedar Riener

By describing experiments that control, manipulate and measure mental processes, this book shows how we can discover the answers to key questions about the mind, such as: 'Can we focus attention on more than one thing?' and 'Is language unique to humans?' Written in a down-to-earth narrative prose that avoids jargon, addresses the reader directly and draws on the authors' unique style ('suppose Willingham split his pants at a junior high dance ...'), this text takes complex experiments in cognitive psychology and describes them for undergraduate students. Willingham has a record of excellence in translating cognitive psychology research for K-12 teachers with his bestselling Why Don't Students Like School? and other popular books. This book applies the clear and approachable prose style towards building foundational knowledge in cognitive psychology for undergraduates.

- Brings students into contact with the primary research literature, connecting theories to experimental evidence and encourages scientific thinking;
- Addresses the reader directly and draws on the authors' good humor to make studying enjoyable;
- Frames cognitive psychology topics in terms of straightforward questions such as 'why do we forget?'.

Genres: Psychology, Education, Nonfiction, School

448 pages, Paperback

First published December 19, 2000

About the author

Daniel Willingham earned his B.A. from Duke University in 1983 and his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Harvard University in 1990. He is currently Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, where he has taught since 1992. Until about 2000, his research focused solely on the brain basis of learning and memory. Today, all of his research concerns the application of cognitive psychology to K-12 education. He writes the “Ask the Cognitive Scientist” column for American Educator magazine, and is an Associate Editor of Mind, Brain, and Education. He is also the author of Why Don't Students Like School? (Jossey-Bass) and When Can You Trust the Experts? (Jossey-Bass). His writing on education has been translated into ten languages.

from http://www.danielwillingham.com/about...

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to expand my personal horizons. I thoroughly enjoyed my read and feel I have a much better understanding of the material as a result. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who would understand cognition better, but also to a wider audience who could benefit by having an appreciation of what goes on between ones ears.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really do not like this author's writing style. I managed to get through the text and still am not overly fond of this text. He did present good jumping off points for further research, but that is probably the nicest thing I will say.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cognitive Psychology Course

[YiYi]

interesting and well-writen. Very good book for introduction of cognitive psychology