Applied Psychology for Foundation Year: Key Ideas for Foundation Courses introduces students to topical issues and controversies within specific areas of applied psychology, bringing together current theories and studies from a number of areas within applied psychology through a series of interesting and current debates and controversies.

Included in this book are a series of snapshots of how psychologists have tried to apply their findings to real-life problems. Using a clear structure and accessible tone, this book demonstrates how psychological research can be applied to inform current debates across a variety of the field’s subdisciplines. Through examination of both established theoretical ideas and more recent empirical evidence, it enables readers to see how research is linked to practical application in occupational psychology, educational psychology, criminology, sport psychology and environmental psychology. In doing so, it explicates contemporary theories and studies and contributes a cross-cultural understanding of these topics. This book’s wide coverage of topics and theories is designed to enable readers to not only immerse themselves in topical and often controversial debates but also to develop a critical awareness of alternative viewpoints, methodological weaknesses and theoretical shortcomings. Readers are encouraged to consider and question these theories and consider the implications of this research and how the findings can be applied to their own experience.

Applied Psychology for Foundation Year is a key textbook for both foundation year and introductory psychology courses and will be of interest to anyone wanting to delve into topical issues in contemporary psychology.