Half the Human Experience: The Psychology of a Woman

With this text author Janet Hyde provides an authoritative analysis of classical and current research from a feminist psychology viewpoint. Hyde examines the balance of cultural and biological similarities (and differences) between the genders, noting how these characteristics may affect issues of equality, and also how men and women behave towards one another. By putting into context the proliferation of research in the field and clearly explaining the relationship between gender and emotion, the author helps demystify the scientific process and study of feminist psychology. Students receive a strong foundation for understanding the influences of gender, race, and ethnicity on psychology and society, as well as strategies for thinking critically about “pop” versus academic feminism as it relates to psychology. Text updates reflect changes in content, research, and societal issues, with expanded and fully integrated coverage of ethnicity, including a chapter devoted to describing the cultures of the four major ethnic groups in the African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. Chapter-opening quotations engage students and provide a view of topics that incorporates ethnicity and culture. Other pedagogical features include In Conclusion paragraphs providing a summary of key points; Focus sections highlighting issues raised in the chapter; and Experience the Research boxes giving students an active role in research and theory by asking them to collect data or replicate an experiment related to the chapter content. New! The Gender and Emotion chapter reflects the latest research on these issues with topics that address the emotional differences between genders, ethnicity, stereotyping, and experience as well as the ways in which family or peers can socialize children about how to label and interpret their feelings and in the process, are likely to impose gender stereotypes. New! Women and the Web features at the end of each chapter provide full descriptions of key sites related to the chapter topic. Links can be found on the textbook companion site. Updated! The text’s art program, consisting of tables, photographs, cartoons, and illustrations, offers a visual complement to the written content. Updated! Suggestions for Further Reading at the end of each chapter allow students and instructors to expand their exploration of key topics and issues. Updated! A developmental approach to gender and depression in Chapter 15 incorporates the latest theories and data. A marginal glossary appears next to the introduction of a new term within chapter content. In addition, a full glossary appears at the end of the text.