The Student Room Group
Reply 1
I specifically got told not to buy any books before uni as a lot of the books will be cheaper there (charity shops) and we'll be told specifics to buy so that we don't waste money...
However saying this i've read a few books anyway...

Oliver sacks - the man who mistook his wife for a hat - great book!!!! :biggrin: AND it was a recommended read by my uni, i'd already read it though :smile:

They recommended a book by Steven Pinker but i tried about 4 times to get into that book at the beginning of the year and it just didn't happen, tiny font and nothing of interest to me to be honest...

Current book i'm reading is fact and fiction in psychology by Eysenck - good little read :smile:

as for degree books i don't know, as i said i'm waiting til i go up there :smile: i have bought a psychology dictionary though, i'm sure it'll come in handy!!!

o.k now i feel like a psychology nerd lol, i'm just interested in it :colondollar:
Ooo a psychology dictionary...I was thinking of getting one of those.
Reply 3
pinkaliengoo

They recommended a book by Steven Pinker but i tried about 4 times to get into that book at the beginning of the year and it just didn't happen, tiny font and nothing of interest to me to be honest...

If it's the same one I tried reading then I totally agree (though the font was a bit bigger in my version). The first hundred pages was a really poor analagy between the mind a a computer - I've seen other people complain about him too, so don't worry about it...

Currently I'm reading Beyond Freedom and Dignity, by BF Skinner - not too easy a read either - I think he was notorious for not quite getting the point across that he wanted - but interesting all the same.

Before that I read Stanly Milgram's Obedience To Authority, that was excellent.

As regards texts for your course - don't just go for the ones that are filling the shelves in the bookshop, see if your course has a specific reading list. After that, like was said above, you might get it cheaper around the college. Also bear in mind you may not use it that much and there could be dozens of copies sitting idle in your college library...
Reply 4
pinkaliengoo


Oliver sacks - the man who mistook his wife for a hat - great book!!!! :biggrin: AND it was a recommended read by my uni, i'd already read it though :smile:



Aww, I've read that. I thought it was a really interesting read. :biggrin:

Haven't been given a reading list or anything from Leeds. I'm just going to wait until i get there.
Reply 5
p.pete
If it's the same one I tried reading then I totally agree (though the font was a bit bigger in my version). The first hundred pages was a really poor analagy between the mind a a computer - I've seen other people complain about him too, so don't worry about it...

Currently I'm reading Beyond Freedom and Dignity, by BF Skinner - not too easy a read either - I think he was notorious for not quite getting the point across that he wanted - but interesting all the same.

Before that I read Stanly Milgram's Obedience To Authority, that was excellent.

As regards texts for your course - don't just go for the ones that are filling the shelves in the bookshop, see if your course has a specific reading list. After that, like was said above, you might get it cheaper around the college. Also bear in mind you may not use it that much and there could be dozens of copies sitting idle in your college library...



That is the very book i mentioned - god awful! why would they put such a book on recommended read?! this is coming from me who loves reading too lol i also tried to read his 'blank slate' book, tbh that had the same impression on me. some people just don't know when they should stick to being psychologists, not authors :p:
Reply 6
I wouldn't really bother buying any text books that aren't on your reading lists, because you will only end up spending a load more on your core textbooks when you arrive!

General psychology reference books such as a psychology dictionary, or gregory's 'oxford companion to the mind' would be useful to give you some background knowledge of key people/movements in psychology, and will be useful for reference throughout your degree.

Edit: they probably recommended Pinker because some of his theories are extremely influential, regardless of how poorly written it might be, what he says is often important/controversial stuff! It is useful to try and read some of his original text to form your own opinions when you're learning about his theories, but i wouldn't worry about it before you even start your course, it is a bit dry out of context!
Reply 7
this is the book that is the recommended text for my course. I've ordered it but havent really had a good look through it yet if i'm honest.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atkinson-Hilgards-Introduction-Psychology/dp/0155050699/sr=8-1/qid=1157661775/ref=sr_1_1/202-8958394-1043027?ie=UTF8&s=gateway