Psychology for Busy People: Everything You Really Should Know

by Joel Levy

Explore the fascinating world of the human psyche with this accessible and concise guide to the fundamentals of psychology.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2013

About the author

Joel Levy is a writer and journalist specializing in science and history. He is the author of over a dozen books, including The Little Book of Conspiracies and Scientific Feuds: From Galileo to the Human Genome Project. Phobiapedia is his first book for children.

Reviews

[Maria Espadinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mirror to the Mind

We use the Mind like someone who uses a refrigerator or a washing machine - we enjoy (or not ?!) its benefits, but we lil know about it.
Psychology puts a Mirror in front of it!

[Maria Espadinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mente ao Espelho


“Espelho, espelho meu, há Mente mais bela do que Eu?!”

Usamos a Mente como quem usa um frigorífico ou uma máquina de lavar — usufruímos (ou não?!) dos seus benefícios, mas pouco a conhecemos

A Psicologia põe-lhe um Espelho à frente!

[Vanya Prodanova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Книгата е наистина малка и удобна за четене в движение, но на доста места информацията идва твърде суха и трудна за възприемане, което автоматично противоречи на заглавието, че е за заети хора, защото ако не може от раз да схванеш една концепция, то, книгата става трудоемка и изискваща повторно прочитане на изречения и абзаци, за да схванеш идеите. Чувствах се все едно чета лекциите си от университета и това е може би най-обидното нещо, за което мога да се сетя като става дума за книга. Лекциите в университетите са целенасочено безумно скучни. Тази книжка идеята й определено не е била такава, ама, така се получи при мен.

Поне е добро приспивателно и не е лоша като съдържание (там където успях да схвана написаното без да трябва го препрочитам хиляда и един пъти), тъй като дава някаква обща представа за почти всичко от света на психологията и един вид ако ти е любопитно - да потърсиш повече информация за различните термини, теми, идеи, концепции и т.н. Когато обаче нещо е толкова скучно и сухо, няма как да те мотивира да си мръднеш пръстчето дори, какво остава да положиш допълнителни усилия да проучиш нещо.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose it was interesting but it was hard to read. The layout is annoying and overall, I didn't feel like reading it.

[Josh Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Looking forward to doing a deeper dive into some of these psychological topics 🧠

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting but kind of confusing and unmotivating to read.

[soham sarkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great starter for anyone interested in this field, as this covers pretty much every nuances in the field of psychology.
An easy read for a beginners and a good read for an intermediate looking to revise few concepts.

[jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is excellent for someone beginning psychology, especially if they are beginning it in college/sixth form (I saw more than quite a few links to what I had been learning in college, in this book). The book is very informative as not only does it explain each different disorder (physical or mental) but also gives justifications and evidence from different psychologists who come from different aspects of psychology.
There is also an insight to some history of psychology; from the different mental hospitals and facilities that have been used to house the mental unwell in the time periods like the 18th century, to what the Romans and Greeks prescribed to those dealing with mental issues/disorders.
Overall I would highly recommend this book to those who want a quick read (I finished this in a day) and to those who don’t want an in-depth review but more of a brief overview and summary of each aspect.

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book covering a broad overview of psychology, that would be great for someone looking into studying it at any level. 
If you aren't interested in that however it could be tedious and overwhelming. 

While the author does a great job of simplifying and explaining complex psychological terms and studies it can be a lot if you're just looking for a basic overview. 

However if you're interested in an education of some form in the psychology field no matter the level, it definitely covers some important base theories and studies that are taught such as; all of Freud's work; the little Albert experiment; personality; the different sections of the brain; sleep and dreams and the topic of conformity (or group psychology in this). 

It's definitely a good place to start but could scare someone off if they were looking for light-hearted psychology reading with simpler terminology. 

[Julia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very handy, detailing the basics on psychology book. How the brain works, memory and thinking, personality, how age affects your mental health, how you can look out for particular signs and body language to read someone else’s Persona.

Very small book to read so doesn’t take long.

The overall book is broken into a series of sections making it easier to read and digest the information. Some of the facts in there are really interesting and funnily enough a lot of the information is potentially what you are already unconsciously doing yourself or can view in a friend / colleague, making it very relatable.

At the end there are really useful information about mental health and getting support. Some great connections, snippets of other books the author recommends reading.

Overall a really good basic starter book for anyone interested in Psychology

[Kami Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a good broad introduction to psychology and focuses on the history on each of the main types. Though, the language and wording was kinda confusing and off-putting in places. So in that respect I think - especially considering that it's meant to introduce people to the subject - that it could have really benefited from having used more accessible language. Though I will say if you're interested in reading the book that, once you get used to the somtimes 'dense' wording, that it is fine.

I would recommend skipping about to different chapters if the first one has you demoralised. All the chapters vary quite a bit in the general content so you will likely enjoy some more that others.

[bookblurbage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable overall. group chapter was fascinating, especially the control and conformity humans can feel in their social circles. A great insight if you want an idea of the theorists, studies and the main topics of psychology.

[Malvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introductory book for people who want to get to know psychology. The book provides an ample amount of stories to explain a wide variety of psychology terms and concepts. The book does not offer much above the basic level of knowledge.

[Megan Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good basic overview of psychology. I wish it was longer just because it brushed over almost all topics and gave more of a history of the topics. I wouldn’t read this is you already have a understand of the basics but it is a super good introduction!

[Zayn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful insight into the basic structures of psychology and full of amazing facts to amaze you!

[Flooodle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m fascinated in psychology and this book helped me to broaden my knowledge even more.

[Aviel Even Or · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great preface to psychoanalysis

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring and complicated. I hated it but it probably isn’t that bad if u like that kind of thing

[Serena · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the dates of birth was wrong and said 1992-1997, after a quick Google it was meant to be 1922-1997.

[aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars got me out of my slump

[Julia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as it gave an idea of some interesting psychology topics without going too in depth but enough to be interesting.

[Tom Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying survey across the history and span of Psychology. A perfect introduction into topics or individuals for further reading.

[Ufuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.

[Tankut Yıldız · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oldukça kapsamlı bir içerik hazırlamış Levy, zaman zaman bilgi bombardımanına tutulmuş gibi hissettirse de vadettiği üzere belli başlı kavramlar üzerine pratik bir rehber olarak değerlendirilebilir.

[Naima I · Rating 1 out of 5]

es gibt schlimmeres aber das war schon hart zu lesen

[evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i couldn’t have enjoyed this introspective and simple introduction to psychology more. it provides a broad basis for further research to expand on and has some originally conveyed interpretations of classic psychology. i loved it’s running integration of Freud as he is of particular interest to me, and i loved how many topics were covered! could not recommend this succinct yet so intelligent book any more. five stars!

[Wörterwunderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein weiteres psychologisches Buch welches ich lesen durfte und jedem empfehlen kann, der in die Thematik der Psychologie einsteigen möchte. Psychologie mal einfach ist ein Buch von Joel Levy welches im deutschen im Anaconda Verlag veröffentlicht wurde. Hierin werden einem die grundlegenden psychologischen Begriffe in einfacher Form und Sprache erklärt. Dadurch kann eigentlich jeder das verstehen. Und genau das ist der größte Pluspunkt, den dieses Buch hat. Psychologie ist ein sehr breitgefächertes und komplexes Thema für das Menschen nicht ohne Grund studieren. In diesem Buch wird dieses komplexe Thema auf die wichtigsten Bestandteile herunter gebrochen und dann in verschiedenen Kapiteln dargestellt.
Schon der Anfang des Buches, mit der Frage „Was ist Psychologie?“ zeigt gut, dass sich hier mit der Thematik auseinander gesetzt wurde und die Person, welche die Texte verfasst, wirklich den Hintergedanken hatte, all das wissen leicht verständlich darzustellen. Hierdurch kann sich jeder Laie auf dem Gebiet informieren wenn er eine Diagnose erhält oder einfach nur in das Thema herein schnuppern möchte. Zu jedem Thema gibt es dazu noch Stichpunkte, welche die einzelnen wichtigen Punkte noch einmal darstellen. Jedes Kapitel für sich ist dabei kurz vorgestellt und untergliedert in Unterpunkte wie Gehirn und Geist. In kleinen Kästen wird dazu noch einmal nebensächliches aber interessantes Wissen weitergetragen welches zur Vertiefung eines Themas beiträgt.
Insgesamt bietet dieses Buch einen guten Einblick in die Welt der Psychologie und doch hätte ich mir gewünscht, dass auf die verschiedenen psychischen Störungen jeweils etwas mehr Bezug genommen wird oder besser gesagt mehr auf sie eingegangen wird. Diese kamen mir in diesem Buch etwas zu kurz. Trotzdem möchte ich diesem Buch vier von fünf Sternen geben.

[Dom Lockwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found that this book disinteristing however I presume that's because I don't have too much interest in psychology.

[Graci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ganz klare empfehlung für jeden psychologie-interessierten!
Dieses buch liefert eine gute grundlage/erklärung für die wichtigsten psychologischen konzepte und theorien. Es ist super verständlich und strukturiert & stellt zudem die interessantesten (und auch berühmtesten) experimente aus der psychologie vor.
Alle inhalte aus dem buch decken sich mit inhalten aus meinem studium, was mich sehr beeindruckt hat! Es krazt zwar nur an der oberfläche der psychologie, aber ist dadurch, meiner meinung nach, ein echt guter/solider einstieg in die psychologie.
Es hat mir persönlich kein neues wissen vermittelt, aber dient mir super als kleine zusammenfassung einiger psychologischer themen & wird sicherlich in der zukunft noch nützlich sein. (Also, wahrscheinlich eher eine empfehlung für nicht-psychologie-studierende oder psychologie student*innen, auf der suche nach einer basic zusammenfassung)

[raya_reads_love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psychologie mal einfach

Was passiert, wenn wir schlafen? Warum haben wir Gefühle? Und was ist das Unterbewusstsein? Die menschliche Psyche faszinierte schon die Alten Griechen. In kurzen, leicht verständlichen Kapiteln gibt Joel Levy einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Theoretiker und Konzepte der Psychologie von der Antike bis heute. Gegliedert nach Themen wie Persönlichkeit, Intelligenz, Beziehungen, Glück und psychischen Erkrankungen erklärt dieses Buch knapp und informativ, wie Psychologie uns Menschen zu dem macht, was wir sind.

Meinung:
Leicht verständlich und mit guten Beispielen voran ein gutes Buch zum Einstieg in die Psychologie. Für alle Neueinsteiger hilfreich und für eingearbeitete Psychologen eine kleine Stütze.

Fazit:
Empfehlenswert.