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Overview of the Top Amazon.com Book Results for "Clinical Psychology"

Posted by Helping Psychology in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Nov 21, 2008

When searching for the phrase “clinical psychology” on Amazon.com, almost 40,000 books are returned as relevant search results. The top listing is a textbook by Dr. Timothy Trull entitled, “clinical psychology that focuses on the basics of research, education, and methodology of clinical psychologists for introductory-level students. There are several editions of the book currently in print and the eighth hardcover edition is set to be released on November 15, 2008. The updated text will contain interactive web-based media supplements as well as focus more on contemporary psychological questions and debates, such as race, sexual orientation, and the role of healthcare in medical ethics. This book is considered the definitive introductory text for the field.

A rival textbook to Trull’s volume is also returned as one of the top search results written by Geoffrey Kramer, Douglas Bernstein, and Vicky Fares: “Introduction to Clinical Psychology.” This paperback textbook is in its seventh edition and contains an overview of the field of clinical psychology, ranging from the history of the field to theoretical reasoning to practical application. It also contains sections that approach forensic psychology, child-specific psychology, and neuropsychology. However, the sales rank and customer reviews indicate the book is not as used as Trull’s text.

Another top result is the “Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology,” by John C. Norcross, Michael A. Sayette, and Tracy J. Mayne. This paperback manual outlines and rates various graduate programs in psychology including school statistics, specialties, and level of prestige. The book also features an application timeline that lays out the entire process of choosing and applying to a graduate program. “The Insider’s Guide” is updated and reprinted every year, offering readers the latest information on the process.

Thomas Plante’s textbook “Contemporary Clinical Psychology” is still selling off its second edition printing and is written for graduate and advanced undergraduate students. Though Plante spends time reviewing the history and foundations of the field, he keeps the reader’s attention on the present practices, dilemmas, and issues that face modern clinical psychologists. He also forecasts what he believes the field will look like in the future. Additionally, Plante offers interviews and biographies of current psychologists as well as a step by step overview of the career path for a clinical psychologist.

The only book in the top ten search results that was not a traditional textbook was “Military Psychology: Clinical and Operational Applications,” edited by Carrie H. Kennedy and Eric A. Zillmer. It is a digital book meant to be read on an Amazon Kindle. This book is a reference guide for psychologists and other mental health professionals who care for military personnel and soldiers during and after their terms of service. It contains segments dealing with theoretical questions of ethics as well as the realistic application of treatment for substance abuse, suicide recovery and risk, hostage negotiation, high-stress levels, and terrorist mentalities. “Military Psychology” focuses primarily on data and practices gathered during the American military conflicts of the first part of the twentieth century, such as World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.