Biopsychology: United States Edition

Excerpt from a letter to the author (used with permission)::

I am currently a 2nd year Psychology student at the University of Western Ontario and I am taking a Biopsychology class...I have to say what an amazing text this is...

I recently switched majors from physiology/medical sciences to psychology and I was confused for a while about what I liked more: biological sciences or psychology. I didn't know I could combine them until I read your textbook. Your book was inspirational for me and I now have a clearer, more defined idea of what I would like to do with my degree and future endeavours. Thank you very much for writing such an interesting textbook that was so clearly aimed to help students understand and appreciate biopsychology. I honestly attribute my new-found interest in biopsychology to the amazing work you put in to this text. Too bad I am several provinces away from B.C, I would have loved to be in one of your classes! Thank you again and I hope to read more of your work in the future.

- Tannis, student at University of Western Ontario

Excerpt from a letter to the author (used with permission)::
I am doing a Graduate Diploma in Psychology in Brisbane, Australia and just wanted to say that your textbook is particularly interesting and stimulating. I can see that there is passion and clarity in every chapter and your own experiences with the tumour as relayed in Chapter 10 was fascinating. It's good to know that some texts can have that human factor, and this really makes an impact on the reader.

- Simon, student at Brisbane, Australia

Excerpt from a letter to the author (used with permission)::

Dr. Pinel:

I just completed a Physiological Psychology class at Chapman University College. Your Biopsychology text was required for the class. It was the BEST textbook I have ever used. I'm 51 years old and have taken many classes in my life so that's saying a heck of lot!!! Believe me, I have certainly never written to the author to complement him on the text. You made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for making a tough class enjoyable.

- Eileen, student at Chapman University

Excerpt from a letter to the author (used with permission)::

I have just finished reading your book and wanted to thank you for writing it. I like the way you presented the information as if you were chatting with me. It was very easy to understand and a fun read. I especially liked all the vignettes and diagrams. They helped me to visualize and understand the topic you were discussing. I also reviewed the CD after every chapter I read and found it to be a helpful tool in preparing for my exams. Before taking this class I was very nervous and unsure of whether or not I would be able to grasp the information. Now class is almost over and I have a 95% in my class. I am taking my final exam tomorrow and I am confident I will do well. I feel that my understanding of the information in your book was due to the way it was written. It was very relaxed and personal, a goal you strived for in writing this book. So again, thanks for sharing your knowledge with me.

- Priscilla, student at Chapman University

Excerpt from a letter to the author (used with permission):

Dr. Pinel,

I am a student who has just completed a Biopsychology course designed around your textbook (6th ed.) at Birmingham-Southern College. To confess my initial thoughts, I largely began this course because it is one of the requirements of my Psychology major and I gazed rather unexcitedly upon the cover of your textbook, assuming it to be like some of the other repetitive, over-written books I had become accustomed to during my three years at this college. However, as I delved a little deeper into the subject matter, exploring topics from sex and hormones to sleep cycles to neuroplasticity, I began to realize that your textbook is unlike any I had ever used. Not only is the research you include very pertinent to the subject and thought-provoking, but you seem to take the time to include personal notes, stories, and anecdotes that truly set your work apart from other texts. I can tell that Psychology is a field that really excites you, and in turn, I am more excited about my major. I just wanted to send you this small token of my graditude and a thanks for changing my mind about Psychology.

- Jeff Tullis, Birmingham-Southern College 2008

John Pinel, the author of Biopsychology, obtained his PhD from McGill University in Montreal. He worked briefly at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before taking up his current position at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Professor Pinel is an award-winning teacher and the author of over 200 scientific papers; however, he feels that Biopsychology is his major career-related accomplishment. It ties together everything that I love about my job: students, teaching, writing, and research.

When asked about his personal interests, Professor Pinel speaks glowingly of his partner, Maggie, and son, Greg. The high quality of the illustrations in Biopsychology is largely attributable to the effort and talents of Maggie, who is an artist and technical writer. Greg is currently completing his PhD at the London School of Economics, specializing in social and educational programs for indigenous peoples.

I get most of my exercise by rehearsing and performing West African drum rhythms, Professor Pinel says. For a peak mental and physical experience, a bit of Kpanlogo with my friend, Nigerian drum master Kwasi Iruoje is hard to beat. Most of Professor Pinel's relaxation comes from cuddling his cats, Sambala, Rastaman, and Squeak.