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Psychology: Theories & Theorists

Psychology Resources

Introduction

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

Remember: all Alverno electronic resources are available from off campus. Use your Alverno Network Login to access our resources from off campus.

Citing in APA

NoodleTools helps create accurate citations, reference lists, and annotated bibliographies. For best results, use it in conjugation with the APA manual or the APA Style website.

NoodleTools icon

Need more resources? Visit the library's Citing Sources LibGuide.

Finding Background Information

A useful starting point is to find background information in subject specific encyclopedias in Alverno's library. This will give you the vocabulary you need to expand your searching.

When using 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. Here are some useful titles:

Research Using Books

You can find many useful books, book chapters, and encyclopedia articles in electronic format by doing a search in the PsycBOOKS database. A link to it can be found on the library's Databases by Subject - Psychology & Social Work page.

Try searching in this database for "Piaget" AND "theory" or try looking for "Piaget" as an author.

Here is a direct link to PsycBOOKS.

To find e-books on your theorist or theory available through the library, use the Ebooks search box located on the library home page or click here to begin your search.

Books can give you a good overview and some history on your topic. Use TOPCAT to find books on your topic. Try some of these searches:

  • First do a subject or keyword search using the name of your theorist as your topic to find books in Alverno's library or the other SWITCH libraries about your theorist.
  • Do an author search to find books written by your theorist.
  • Try a subject search or a keyword search using a specific theory name as your topic.

 

Finding Journal Articles

Find journal articles on your theorist or theory by doing a search in PsycINFO or PsycARTICLES. Visit the library's Databases page and select Psychology & Social Work  to find links to either database.

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

Here are direct links to PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES.

Library Information

Need more help?

-Stop in for 1-on-1 help. Hours & Location
-Send us an email
-Call the research assistance desk at (414)382-6062
-Library Home Page
-Library Staff Directory