The 10 Best Behavioral Psychology Textbooks

When you need a grasp that moves beyond rote memorization into true conceptual comprehension, Essentials of Statistics for The Behavioral Sciences (appx. $102) is one to consider. With its suite of digital learning aids, you’ll feel you’ve mastered the subject in no time.

Whether you want to understand your own decisions or bring greater knowledge to the company for which you work, "Behavioral Finance: (about $66) Psychology, Decision-Making, and Markets" promises to show you more about what influences professional finance practitioners.

Gathering, understanding, interpreting, and formatting data is not without its challenges, but Methods in Behavioral Research (around $101) seeks to move students past these to become competent researchers. Best of all, it’s loaded with useful appendices to guide you on your way.

Thinking, Fast and Slow (about $8) is the bestseller from Daniel Kahneman, renowned Nobel Prize winner. In it, he presents a straightforward view of what drives our thinking processes. It’s not a textbook, but it’s a must-read for those interested in behaviorism and decision making.

For students just entering the field, The Science of Mind and Behavior (around $165) provides a valuable resource that highlights the interplay of analytical areas, ultimately asking that readers question their learning and the way it impacts their life and viewpoints.

If you’re a crime show junkie, Criminal Profiling: An Introduction (appx. $68) may be for you. It outlines the author’s deductive profiling method, an investigative technique that could be of interest to students as well as mental health workers, forensic scientists, and attorneys.

Before you specialize, you’ll need a firm footing in the field, which you can gain from Essentials of Understanding Psychology (around $93). Created with the learner in mind, this volume has been updated using feedback from thousands of students to make it comprehensible for all.

Although the foundational concepts and analytical methods in this area can be something to grapple with, the authors of Behavioral Neuroscience (about $148) have managed to provide a clear and reader-friendly introduction that covers both fundamentals and cutting-edge views.

If you’re taking a course in research methods or basic principles, it’s fairly likely that you’ll see Applied Behavior Analysis (about $141) from Cooper, Heron, and Heward. It’s packed with tools to help you succeed, including over 100 graphs and a glossary of more than 400 terms.

Presenting practical information and real-life scenarios, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment (around $42) is an excellent resource for many, including newly minted professors, students in graduate programs, and even practicing professionals.