Psychology is a discipline that generates great interest because it affects us all. There are many people who want to understand their own behavior and that of others .

For decades, many texts have been published that enrich our knowledge of the subject. That is why, in this article, we have prepared a list of great psychology manuals that you will find very useful.

Psychology manuals to learn about behavioral science

Psychology is a very wide field, in which different areas or fields of application coexist. In this post we gather a variety of manuals from different specialties (clinical, educational, social, sports psychology, etc.) that aim to cover the needs of both students and professionals.

1. Psychologically speaking (Adrián Triglia, Bertrand Regader and Jonathan García-Allen)

Whoever thinks that a good psychology manual has to be a robust book, complicated to understand and of great dimensions is totally wrong. “Psychologically speaking”, a work by Adrián Triglia, Bertrand Regader and Jonathan García-Allen, is an introductory book to psychology suitable for all audiences , because it explains things from scratch but, with great rigour and shows psychology as it is.

Its fascinating pages reflect the disparity of positions within the science of behavior and show some of the classic research that serves both to know us and to know what psychology is. It also reviews various interesting topics for anyone interested in this discipline: the functioning of the mind and brain, memory, learning, emotions or different fields of application such as social psychology.

In short, a book that you cannot stop reading, because, in addition to being entertaining, will help you to have a clear image of what psychology is .

  • You can buy it here.

2. Developmental psychology: childhood and adolescence (David R. Shaffer)

The subject of developmental psychology becomes entertaining and enjoyable with this work. A book that is very well explained, and reviews the theories and research with clear language. In addition, it not only pays attention to the theoretical content, but it is a useful book for putting into practice the concepts presented in it.

  • You can buy this manual through this link.

3. Psychology of sports training (José Maria Buceta)

Sports psychology is an area of psychology that has been experiencing a boom in recent years. More and more sports institutions and centres and even athletes themselves are hiring the services of a sports psychologist, aware of the benefits they bring in terms of sports performance.

If you like sports psychology, you’ll love this book. It reviews and analyses the psychological basis of sports training, and you may find it necessary for both coaches and sports psychologists. An enormously useful and practical manual.

  • Buy it here.

4. Foundations of Psychology (María Luisa Delgado Losada)

This book presents psychology in an encouraging way and with updated and exhaustive information , to help students in the first courses of the psychology career to acquire critical thinking in the area of social sciences and health. A great book that stimulates learning.

  • You can get it here.

5. Foundations of Social Psychology (Rosa Rodríguez Bailon and Miguel Moya Morales)

This is the perfect manual to introduce yourself to social psychology , as it provides the basic knowledge about this area of psychology. But one of the key points of this work is that it includes different CD-ROMs (one for each chapter) that facilitate the work of the students and allow a better assimilation of the subject. Without a doubt, it is one of the best books on social psychology.

  • Buy it through this link.

6. Applying social psychology (Francisca Expósito Jiménez and Miguel Moya Morales)

However, if you want to delve deeper into this subject, especially in the applied field, this text is ideal. After reviewing the basic topics of social psychology, this text places special emphasis on the applicability of knowledge.

The book addresses issues of psychosocial interest such as attribution, attitudes, leadership, group influence, migration, and gender violence. A very complete work with a very updated bibliography.

  • Buy it here.

7. Psychology of old age (Carme Triadó and Feliciano Villar)

This manual selects the most important themes and issues of the current state of the psychology of old age . It is a useful educational tool for both students and those from related disciplines. This book is approached from an evolutionary perspective and, therefore, links are established between old age and previous moments. But it also contributes to an optimistic view of this stage of life.

  • You can purchase this manual at this link.

8. The psychiatric interview in clinical practice (Roger Mackinnon)

The clinical interview is a qualitative information-gathering technique in which the psychologist and his patient participate, and it is essential to create an appropriate interpersonal relationship, which will help the psychologist in obtaining reliable information.

The clinical intervention in psychology is usually done within the clinical interview. This manual is a great text that will provide you with the necessary knowledge for this practice and will facilitate your learning with good examples exposed in a clear and detailed way.

  • Buy it here.

9. Manual of clinical psychology (G. Buela Casal, V. E. Caballo and J. C. Sierra)

Clinical psychology has suffered greatly in recent decades, and this work is an example of this. The text is structured in seven major themes, among which are behavioural medicine, sexual dysfunctions, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders or addictive behaviours .

Up to 41 leading Spanish and foreign specialists have participated in the preparation of this guide. The approach is fully applied and therefore it is a practical manual for students and professionals in the health sciences.

  • You can buy it here.

10. Manual of Clinical Psychology of Children and Adolescents: Specific disorders (V. E. Caballo Manrique and M. A. Simón López)

A manual that deals with the psychological problems of children and adolescents , which presents a complete vision of the current situation and the advances in the area of child and adolescent psychopathology. In its pages it is possible to find internationally relevant research. Likewise, it reviews characteristic disorders of this age such as: dissocial disorder, eating disorders, learning disorders…

In each topic it is possible to find a description of these pathologies as well as the intervention from the cognitive-behavioral point of view.

  • Buy it here.

11. Manual de psicología de la educación (R. González Cabanach, J. A. González Pienda y J. C. Núñez Pérez)

Educational psychology (also educational psychology) is in charge of deepening learning and the most suitable educational methods for students to develop their cognitive skills. In this sense, this book allows students to learn about and deepen their knowledge of the most important theories and research in this sub-discipline of psychology, as well as helping them to acquire the necessary tools to put all this knowledge into practice.

Thus, this manual reviews, among other topics, intelligence and skills, academic motivation, learning styles and thinking styles, or interpersonal and contextual variables involved in school learning.

  • You can buy it here.

12. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V)

The DSM is a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association and is also known as the “bible of mental disorders. Many psychologists make use of this classification and diagnostic tool for mental disorders because of its great acceptance among the professional circuit. DSM provides a common language among different mental health professionals to ensure a more accurate and consistent diagnosis.

  • Buy it here.

Other books of Psychology

These manuals are undoubtedly a great alternative if you want to learn about psychology and its different sub-disciplines, but there are other rather entertaining texts that you can read in your free time and that you are sure to like.

If you want to know a selection of books on psychology and related fields that you cannot miss, just click here.