Cengage Learning, the current publisher, does not offer a free PDF. They sell access to MindTap (an interactive e-learning platform) which includes the e-book for a subscription fee (typically $60–120 per semester). No legal, full-text PDF is freely available.
The current English hardcover retails for $180–$250. The Czech translation is cheaper (approx. 800–1200 Kč, or $35–$50), but for students on a tight budget, even that is significant.
In the 1970s, Richard C. Atkinson (later Director of the National Science Foundation and Chancellor of UC San Diego) and Rita L. Atkinson joined Hilgard as co-authors. Richard Atkinson was a pioneer in mathematical psychology and memory models (the Atkinson-Shiffrin model of multi-store memory). The book soon became known as "Atkinson & Hilgard" —a brand that signaled authority, clarity, and up-to-date research.
Over subsequent editions, other esteemed authors contributed: Edward E. Smith (cognitive neuroscience), Daryl J. Bem (social psychology), and Susan Nolen-Hoeksema (clinical psychology, known for her work on rumination and depression). psychologie atkinsonov%C3%A9 a hilgarda pdf
By its 14th or 15th edition (the current English edition is the 16th, published by Cengage Learning), the book had sold millions of copies worldwide and been translated into over a dozen languages, including Czech.
Richard Atkinson and Ernest Hilgard are notable figures in the field of psychology, particularly known for their work in learning theory and educational psychology.
For students searching for the PDF to supplement their studies, the book is typically organized around several foundational pillars: Cengage Learning, the current publisher, does not offer
1. The Biological Foundation The text begins by grounding psychology in biology. It explores the nervous system, the structure of the brain, and the mechanisms of neural transmission. This section is crucial for understanding the physiological underpinnings of consciousness, sleep, and emotional responses. It treats the "mind" not as an abstract entity, but as a function of the living brain.
2. Learning and Memory Drawing on Hilgard’s expertise, the sections on learning are rigorous. They trace the history from Pavlov’s classical conditioning and Skinner’s operant conditioning to the cognitive revolution’s understanding of memory encoding, storage, and retrieval. It explains how we learn and why we forget, blending behavioral experiments with modern information-processing models.
3. Cognitive Processes Later editions, influenced by the cognitive turn, delve deeply into language, thinking, and problem-solving. This section moves beyond simple stimulus-response mechanisms to explore intelligence, creativity, and the complex algorithms the mind uses to navigate the world. The current English hardcover retails for $180–$250
4. Motivation and Emotion The book provides a nuanced view of human drives. It navigates the tension between biological imperatives (hunger, thirst, sex) and social motivations (achievement, affiliation). The exploration of emotion often contrasts the James-Lange theory with Cannon-Bard theory and modern appraisal theories, offering a multi-dimensional view of human affect.
5. Personality and Psychopathology No introductory text is complete without addressing the individual. Atkinsonová a Hilgard surveys the major theories of personality—from Freud’s psychodynamic stages to the Humanistic approaches of Rogers and Maslow. It transitions seamlessly into abnormal psychology, classifying disorders not just by symptoms, but by underlying causes, offering insights into anxiety, mood disorders, and schizophrenia.
If you cannot find the Atkinson & Hilgard, consider these excellent Czech-language introductory texts (often cheaper and more local):
If you need the English edition for a course taught in English, rent the e-book for 180 days via Cengage’s website (approx. $70). No PDF download, but full web access.
The book’s staying power lies in its modular, reader-friendly structure. A typical edition contains around 800 pages, divided into 5–6 major parts and roughly 18 chapters.