Spanning the modern development of psychological science and practise-the era most relevant to today's psychologists-this concise overview of psychology's history focuses on how the field has striven to make a positive impact on society and the individuals within it. It not only examines, decade by decade, the key developments in psychology, but goes beyond the usual ""schools and systems"" approach to illuminate not just how psychological theories developed but how they have been applied and practised. The text is unique in its focus on connecting the historical development of psychology to present concerns in the field, thus making the information more relevant to today's student. Woven throughout the book is a thread of optimism regarding the value of psychological ideas for the betterment of humanity. The book considers how psychology has informed-and been influenced by-social and cultural concerns of the past century. Each chapter highlights a theme that typified the science and practise of psychology in a particular era, along with a ""historical centerpiece"", an examination of an exemplary psychologist or psychological work that typified the field's development during that time period.
