Books in the Macmillan Insights in Psychology series series

This introduction focuses on the key aspects of human relationships including their development, maintenance and breakdown. Ideal for students who want a more rounded and detailed text on this area, the author discusses the role of evolution, individual differences and the effects of relationships on mental and physical health.

Following the path from early adulthood to old age, this engrossing introduction offers students an insight into how psychologists have made sense of the significant markers in people's lives. The authors discuss stage theories, and ecological and systemic approaches to show how these ideas illuminate our understanding of lifespan development.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a disabling and distressing mental health problem. This accessible introduction examines OCD's causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and is richly illustrated with case studies, making it engaging reading for anyone wishing to understand this complex mental health problem.

In this student-friendly introduction, the authors consider the psychological effects of sport on both the individual and the group. Topics covered include motivation, performance, mental health and leadership, offering a balanced and in-depth resource for students interested in learning more about sport psychology.

Like food and water, sleep is essential for all. In this excellent study aid, the author looks at the nature and purpose of sleeping andrelated disorders, dreamingand hypnosis. This clear and focused introductionprovides a fantasticentry point for studentsseeking a deeper understanding of altered states of awareness.

Anxiety is a natural part of life - but what happens when everyday anxieties start to dominate our lives, or when we become overwhelmingly anxious about a particular object or situation?

Psychology is a discipline that comprises various schools of thought with each taking a different position on key issues such as ethics and the nature vs. nurture debate. In this concise introduction, Fairholm focuses on the biological, behaviourist, cognitive, psychodynamic and humanist approaches and explores the differences in their standpoints.

From the way we dress to the way we are treated by our peers, gender is a crucial part of our identity which is threaded into every aspect of our lives. In this fascinating introduction, Franklin first discusses the effects of gender identity on behaviour before then exploring the theoretical perspectives on why these differences occur.

It has been estimated that depression may affect 12-18% of people at some point during their lifetime. This accessible introduction covers the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of clinical depression, and is engaging reading for anyone wishing to understand this complex mental health problem.

This comprehensive introduction to schizophrenia is an ideal starting point for students. It covers the theoretical foundations of different perspectives of schizophrenia, including medical, evolutionary and social, to give readers a solid grounding and then discusses the various forms of treatments and the arguments surrounding each perspective.

This accessible introduction to developmental psychology examines how children develop, from language development to social learning and the development of emotion. Comprehensive and engaging, it is the ideal introduction for A-level and undergraduate students, and for anyone interested in learning more about development in childhood.

This concise, clearly-written introduction will help cement students' understanding of the different theories surrounding addictive behaviour. The authors examine both behavioural and substance-related disorders, with chapters discussing biological, cognitive and moralistic perspectives, all organized around the key stages of addiction.