Learners: How to Use This Textbook

Welcome to the newly adapted edition of Introduction to Psychology: Moving Towards Diversity and Inclusion. This guide highlights how this textbook has been enhanced to make it a valuable resource for your learning journey.

Key Features of This Textbook

  • Updated Scientific Evidence: Each chapter has updated scientific evidence. This ensures that the information you’re studying is current and accurate, helping you stay up to date with the latest research in psychology.
  • Expert Contributions from Specialized Authors: Each chapter is written by an expert in their specific field of psychology. These authors bring their personal passion and real-world experiences to the topics, making the content both academically solid and practically relevant.
  • Plain Language Descriptions: The textbook includes plain language descriptions to clarify complex concepts. These explanations simplify difficult topics, making it easier for you to understand and remember the material.
  • Inclusion of Diverse Voices: The textbook features contributions from scholars – traditionally overlooked in past psychology textbooks – who identify as women, BIPOC, queer, and/or disabled. You can benefit from learning from these newly included theories, giving you a broader perspective on the field.
  • Indigenous Perspectives: Discussions on the psychological impacts of colonization and genocidal policies on Indigenous Peoples in Canada are included. This helps you understand historical and cultural issues that are often overlooked.
  • Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous and other traditional knowledges are integrated into the chapters, providing a richer view of psychological concepts influenced by diverse cultural insights.
  • Learner-Generated and Inclusive Images: Illustrations created by Capilano University IDEA School of Design students feature diverse races, skin tones, clothing, genders, and ages. These inclusive images will help to remedy the overrepresentation of white people in other psychology textbooks.
  • Enhanced Accessibility: The textbook includes comprehensive alternative text for all images, ensuring accessibility for learners who use screen readers and other assistive technologies. This helps create an inclusive learning environment for everyone.
  • Deep Dives: Deep Dives offer detailed explorations of subjects, keeping you informed about the latest scientific research and developments. These sections link to other resources, provide a simplified preview of what is covered in more advanced courses, or cover topics that couldn’t fit in the main narrative. Read these to dive deeper into topics that interest you.
  • Case Studies: Case studies show how psychological concepts apply in real-world scenarios. These help bridge theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing step-by-step illustrations to enhance your understanding of psychological theories.

Tips for Using This Textbook

  1. Follow Your Curiosity: If a topic catches your interest, explore the Deep Dives. They are designed to give you a deeper understanding and can be really engaging.
  2. Engage with Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge: Learn from the sections on Indigenous and traditional knowledge to gain a broader and more inclusive understanding of psychology. These insights can provide you with a more holistic view of psychological practices and theories.
  3. Use Case Studies: When studying a concept, check out the case studies. They help you see how the theory applies in real life, making it easier to remember and understand.
  4. Embrace the Diversity: Pay attention to the diverse voices and perspectives included in this textbook. They will enrich your understanding of psychology.
  5. Use Plain Language Descriptions: When you come across a difficult topic, refer to the plain language descriptions. They break down complex ideas into more understandable terms, making your study sessions more efficient.
  6. Access the Supplemental Materials: Don’t forget to check out the supplemental materials, like Deep Dives and case studies. These resources are there to help deepen your understanding and provide additional context.
  7. Stay Current: The textbook is updated with the latest scientific evidence, so make sure to use it to keep your knowledge up to date. This will not only help you in exams but also in understanding how psychology is evolving.

By making the most of these features, you can enhance your learning experience, stay engaged with the material, and build a strong foundation in psychology. Dive into the textbook, explore the diverse perspectives, and enjoy your journey through the fascinating world of psychology!

Textbook Formats

This textbook is available in the following formats:

  • Online webbook. You can read this textbook online on a computer or mobile device in one of the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
  • PDF. You can download this book as a PDF to read on a computer (Digital PDF) or print it out (Print PDF).
  • Mobile. If you want to read this textbook on your phone or tablet, you can use the EPUB (eReader) file.
  • HTML. An HTML file can be opened in a browser. It has very little style so it doesn’t look very nice, but some people might find it useful.

For more information about the accessibility of this textbook, see the Accessibility Statement.

You can access the online webbook and download any of the formats for free here: Introduction to Psychology: Moving Towards Diversity and Inclusion. To download the book in a different format, look for the “Download this book” drop-down menu and select the file type you want.

How can I use the different formats?
Format Internet required? Device Required apps Accessibility Features Screen reader compatible
Online webbook Yes Computer, tablet, phone An Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) WCAG 2.0 AA compliant, option to enlarge text, and compatible with browser text-to-speech tools Yes
PDF No Computer, print copy Adobe Reader (for reading on a computer) or a printer Ability to highlight and annotate the text. If reading on the computer, you can zoom in. Unsure
EPUB No Computer, tablet, phone An eReader app Option to enlarge text, change font style, size, and colour. Unsure
HTML No Computer, tablet, phone An Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) WCAG 2.0 AA compliant and compatible with browser text-to-speech tools. Yes

Tips for Using This Textbook

  • Search the textbook.
    • If using the online webbook, you can use the search bar in the top right corner to search the entire book for a key word or phrase. To search a specific chapter, open that chapter and use your browser’s search feature by hitting [Cntr] + [f] on your keyboard if using a Windows computer or [Command] + [f] if using a Mac computer.
    • The [Cntr] + [f] and [Command] + [f] keys will also allow you to search a PDF, HTML, and EPUB files if you are reading them on a computer.
    • If using an eBook app to read this textbook, the app should have a built-in search tool.
  • Navigate the textbook.
    • This textbook has a table of contents to help you navigate through the book easier. If using the online webbook, you can find the full table of contents on the book’s homepage or by selecting “Contents” from the top menu when you are in a chapter.
  • Annotate the textbook.
    • If you like to highlight or write on your textbooks, you can do that by getting a print copy, using the Digital PDF in Adobe Reader, or using the highlighting tools in eReader apps.

Webbook vs. All Other Formats

The webbook includes some YouTube videos. If you are not using the webbook to access this textbook, this content will not be included. Instead, your copy of the text will provided a link to where you can access that content online.

Even if you decide to use a PDF or a print copy to access the textbook, you can access the webbook and download any other formats at any time.

License

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Introduction to Psychology Copyright © 2024 by Jessica Motherwell McFarlane, Amelia Liangzi Shi, Dinesh Ramoo, and Tareq Yousef is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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