Both textbooks are highly regarded in their respective fields, offering clear explanations, comprehensive coverage, and valuable study resources. Psychology by David Myers stands out for its inclusion of diverse perspectives and modular organization, while Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday & Resnick excels with its extensive range of supplementary materials and focus on problem-solving skills. The choice depends on the subject matter and specific learning preferences.
| Attribute | Psychology by David Myers (13th Edition) | Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday & Resnick (12th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity of explanations | Presents complex theories in clear language, making psychological concepts accessible and relevant. | Known for clear explanations and strengthening the grasp of fundamental physics concepts through real-life examples. |
| Depth of coverage | Covers a wide range of topics, from biological foundations to social psychology and psychological disorders. | Comprehensive coverage includes mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and modern physics, with Volume 1 focusing on mechanics and waves, and Volume 2 covering electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. |
| Real-world examples | Reinforces learning through empirical studies, reflective questions, and real-world examples. | Includes real-world examples and applications to connect theoretical physics to practical situations. |
| Visual Aids | Wonderful formatting with quotes related to the material in the margins. | Contains numerous diagrams and illustrations to aid in visualizing complex concepts. Also features video illustrations and physics concept simulations. |
| Up-to-Date Research | Offers 2100 research citations dated 2015–2020. | The 12th edition includes the latest advancements in physics with updated data, examples, and illustrations. It also has a renewed focus on contemporary areas of research. |
| Study Resources | LaunchPad and Achieve Read & Practice offer teaching and learning resources. | Offers instructor's solutions manual with worked-out solutions, instructor's manual with lecture notes, demonstration experiments, lab projects, film sources, answers, and a test bank. Also includes practice questions, online tools, simulation-based problems, concept questions, lecture concept check questions, physics demonstration videos, and MCAT practice questions. |
| Organization and Structure | Content broken down into 55 independent modules. | Structured in two volumes for a logical progression of topics. |
| Writing Style and Readability | Informative and easy to understand. | Offers a breezy, easy-to-understand style. |
| Inclusion of Diverse Perspectives | Presents a multicultural perspective on psychology. | No information about the inclusion of diverse perspectives is found in the search results. |
| Emphasis on Critical Thinking | Focuses on developing critical thinking skills. | Renowned for its interactive focus on conceptual understanding, superlative problem-solving instruction, and emphasis on reasoning skills. Develops problem-solving skills through rigorous analysis and application. |
| Availability of Supplementary Materials | High-quality teaching and learning resources are available in LaunchPad and Achieve Read & Practice. | Includes instructor manuals, student solutions manual, online resources, test banks, and computerized test banks. |
| Price | Achieve Access (1 term): $109.99, E-book (6 months access): $78.99, Read & Practice Access (1 term): $55.99, Loose-Leaf: $147.99, Paperback: From $100.99 (New), Rent (4 months) $113.99, Rent (6 months) $129.99, Used: Prices vary, but can be found for as low as $33.15, Digital: Prices vary, with eTextbook options available. | Single-Term WileyPLUS: $76.95 USD / $98.95 CAN, Multi-Term WileyPLUS: $131.95 USD / $153.95 CAN, E-Book Rental (150 Days): $51.00, E-Book: $121.95, Loose-leaf: $142.95, Used: From $106.56, New: From $147.26, Rental: From $22.00 - $44.29, Digital: $46.80 |