Introductory Textbooks and Psychology's Core Concepts

Abstract

Is there a core set of key concepts that defines a common language for introductory psychology? A content analysis of the glossaries of 10 major introductory psychology textbooks identified 2,505 different terms and concepts. Only 64 items (< 3%) were common to all glossaries; approximately half (49%) appeared in only 1 glossary. Ratings of item importance by a national sample of 191 instructors indicated moderate agreement between instructors and authors as to what constitutes a key concept. These results, and those of previous studies, pose a serious dilemma for those who wish to follow the prescription that “less is more” in content coverage in the introductory course. Just what should that “less” be?