Handbook of Gender Research in Psychology - Softcover

From the reviews:

“In over 1,500 pages of text, these volumes synthesize this body of literature according to 14 topical areas deemed to be the most representative of chapter topics in introductory psychology textbooks. ... Volume 1 covers topics in general and experimental psychology, while Volume 2 comprises issues of social and applied psychology. ... The Handbook of Gender Research in Psychology could be used in toto in a graduate course on the psychology of gender, or the chapters could be used individually in upper-level topics-in-psychology courses.” (Patricia L. Wolleat, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 55 (49), December, 2010)

“This is a comprehensive look at gender research. The first volume investigates gender research in the fields of general and experimental psychology and the second describes research in the areas of social and applied psychology. ... target ‘graduate students and early career professionals who wish to work in gender studies.’ ... There are literally hundreds of references that the reader can follow up for any topic of interest. ... an exhaustive look at gender research from the fields of general, experimental, social, and applied psychology.” (Gary B. Kaniuk, Doody’s Review Service, January, 2011)

“The editors of Handbook of Gender Research in Psychology have provided a handbook that covers a breadth of topics and aligns with their original goal, to provide a critical review of historic, current, and future research in all aspects of gender research within the discipline of psychology. ... the handbook is appropriate for individuals who study biological aspects of psychology and gender, social and cultural aspects of gender, and the clinical aspects including therapy.” (Stacey L. Williams, Sex Roles, Vol. 65, 2011)

“Both the historical development and the scholarly framework of gender studies are defined and explained in this remarkable two-volume work, which is illuminated ... by its thorough grounding in the field of psychology. ... Donald McCreary and Joan Chrisler provide a thorough and detailed grounding in what feminism is and what it can tell us about the condition and circumstance of women today. ... this title is highly recommended.” (Susan Bennett White, Feminist Collections, Vol. 33 (2), Spring, 2012)

The women’s movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s sparked an increased interest in gender research, which continues to the present time. Over the years, significant advances have been made, with improvements in methods, terminology, and breadth of content. The two-volume Handbook of Gender Research in Psychology brings these achievements into bold perspective by presenting both the current state of the field and an ambitious agenda for the future. The Handbook’s major goals―better communication between researchers, identification and addressing of knowledge gaps, elimination of bias in research and treatment―are exemplified in both volumes. 

Areas covered in Volume 1, Gender Research in Basic and Experimental Psychology, include: The history of the psychology of women, men/masculinity, and sexual minorities, the brain and behavior: physiology and beyond, learning, education, and cognition, including academic, spatial, and creative abilities. Written, oral, and nonverbal communication, emotion, motivation, and sexuality, gender roles and identity across the lifespan.

Volume 2, Gender Research in Social and Applied Psychology, covers these critical areas: Abnormal and clinical psychology, including gendered aspects of depression, body image, and eating disorders, psychotherapy with women, men, couples, and families, social psychology, including intimate relationships, group behavior, and gender prejudice, work, the workplace, and leadership, health care and health behavior, special topics, from the media to the military.

Blending the challenging with the accessible, Handbook of Gender Research in Psychology is a reference of the first order for researchers, a practice-enhancing resource for clinical psychologists and other therapists, and an exceedingly useful text for the professor or graduate student.