fku tlin e o f Psychology by Wallace I I Emerson is intended as a college textbook for beginning students in psychology. As one reads through the 450 page volume he has the feel ing that the author considered its use especially appropriate to Christian colleges. Not many authors of psychological writings bring with them a richer background of experience and train ing in the field than does Dr. Emer son. He received his bachelor’s de gree from Huron College, his master’s degree from Stanford University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. He served in the public schools for fifteen years, and taught courses in education and psy chology at Occidental College, Univer sity of Southern California, San Diego State Teachers College, Los Angeles Pacific College, Wheaton College and Houghton College. He was president of Westmont College and is currently head of the Christian education de partment at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. His text is especially unique in that very few such publications have been written by conservative, evangelical Christians. Throughout the publica tion the author presents psychological concepts and holds them up along side Biblical truth. Scripture refer ences are frequent and appropriate, weaving into the book in a con vincing, natural manner. Christ is presented as the Son of God, the Scriptures as inerrant, and man as one who needs the experience of sal vation through the death of Christ on the cross. Part one introduces the student to psychology and its definitions. The second presents the glandular and nervous systems as they relate to total personality. The next part discusses the mind and its attributes. Part four deals with the mind as it is affected by en vironment, and part five concerns the mind as it interacts with environ ment. The last section is a thought- provoking presentation of “ spirit” and the experience of regeneration. Differing somewhat from other books, special emphasis has been placed’ on biological aspects of psy chology. The same may be said of the emphasis on historical material in the field of psychology. The book is scholarly and thorough. It is a definite contribution to the field, and it is anticipated that Chris tian educators and psychologists will request Dr. Emerson to consider var ious other aspects of the broad field of psychology and to do further writ ing in these areas, e n d . 9
MAN w». BOOK D r . Wallace Emerson is a man with an interesting past and a busy present . And part of his present has to do with a booh the critics will be talking about this summer (This review was written for King's Business by schools. "Outline of Psychology" Is published a psychologist with the Los Angeles public by V an Käm pen P re ss, Wheaton, III.) J U L Y 1 9 5 3
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