This page has been created to help you find information on psychological theories and theorists.  

 

1. A useful starting point is to find background information in subject specific encyclopedias in Alverno's library. First try looking up the name of your theorist in the index. The specific theory might be listed there as well. 

 

• Corsini Encyclopedia of psychology and behavioral science

REF 150.3 C826e 2001 Vols. 1-4

 

• Encyclopedia of educational psychology

REF 370.15 E56 Vols. 1-2

 

• Encyclopedia of human development

REF 155 E56h Vols. 1-3

 

• Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology

REF 155.8 E56j

 

• Encyclopedia of psychology

REF 150.3 E56k Vols. 1-8

 

• Encyclopedia of social psychology

REF 302 E56 Vols. 1-2

 

• Encyclopedia of social theory

REF 301.01 E56 Vols. 1-2 

 

• Psychology of Classroom Learning: An Encyclopedia

REF 370.152 P974 Vols. 1-2

 

 

2. Use TOPCAT to Find Books on Your Topic 

Books can give you a good overview and some history on your topic. 

 

First, do a subject search or a keyword search in TOPCAT (The Online Public Catalog) using the name of your theorist as your topic to find books in Alverno's library or the other SWITCH libraries about your theorist.

 

Subject Search Example for "Piaget":

 

 

Keyword Search Example for "Piaget":

 

 

Then, do an author search to find books written by your theorist.

 

 "Piaget" as Author:

 

 

Finally, try a subject search or a keyword search again this time using a specific theory name as your topic. 

 

Subject search for a theory:

 

 

Also, you can find books, book chapters, and encyclopedia articles in electonic format by doing a search in the PsycBOOKS database. It is found by going to the library's home page, choosing Databases by Subject, and selecting "Psychology." Try a search for "piaget" AND "theory" or try looking for "piaget" as an author.

 

 

 

 

3. Find Journal Articles on your theorist or theory by doing a search similar to the one above only in PsycINFO or PsycARTICLES instead of PsycBooks.

 

 

 

 

If you do an author search in PsycINFO or PsycARTICLES  using the name of your theorist for your search term, you will find articles written by your theorist.

 

This search in PsycINFO was limited to "English" and "Peer Reviewed" journal articles.

 

 

 

4. Some Useful Web Sites

 

• About.com Psychology Theories

http://psychology.about.com/od/psychology101/u/psychology-theories.htm#s1

 

• Changing Minds.org Psychology Theories

http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/a_alphabetic.htm

 

• Theories of Development

http://classweb.gmu.edu/awinsler/ordp/theory.html

 

 

Need additional help? Call the library at (414) 382-6062 or stop by and ask us.