Karen Huffman is a professor of psychology at Palomar College in San Marcos, California, where she teaches full–time and serves as the Psychology Student Advisor and Co’Coordinator for Psychology Faculty. Karen received the National Teaching Award for Excellence in Community/Junior College Teaching given by Division Two of the American Psychological Association (APA). She also was recognized with the first Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching from Palomar College, and an Outstanding Teaching award from the University of Texas at Austin. Karen’s special research and presentation focus is in active learning and critical thinking, and she has presented numerous online web seminars and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Dear Fellow Faculty,

Thank you for visiting this showcase site for the New Tenth Edition of my textbook, Psychology in Action. I hope you’ll find all the answers you need regarding the latest features of my text and its ancillaries helpful. If you need more information, please feel free to contact me directly at khuffman@palomar.edu. I’m always interested in feedback from my fellow faculty members, and your students.

I also want to personally thank you for your interest in reviewing this new tenth edition. I’m very aware of the multiple and competing demands on the time and energy of today’s faculty–as well as their students. As you’ll see under the tabs for "What’s New, "Interactive Chapter," "Supplements," etc., we’ve done everything we can to improve both the teaching and learning of general psychology. Recognizing the unique challenges and demands of our current times, the focus and theme of this edition is: Engaging and Inspiring Today’s Students.

How can we engage and inspire today’s students? For me, this is an intimidating but provocative challenge. To meet it, I try to be a "master choreographer." I must lead my readers and students step’by’step through the basic foundations of psychology. At the same time, I must provide time and space for application and hands–on active learning in order to keep them engaged and inspired. How do I do this within the limited number of pages in this text? I begin with concise, straight–forward concepts, key terms, and theories, followed by quick activities (e.g., self–tests, checks & reviews), examples (e.g., analogies, case studies/personal stories), and demonstrations (e.g., Try This Yourself, Psychology at Work). Beginning with the first edition in 1987, this text has always emphasized active learning–hence the title "Psychology in Action." Each edition has continued and improved upon this foundation. The latest edition of Psychology in Action takes active learning to an even higher level.

I hope you agree with my goals and design for the tenth edition, and I look forward to hearing from you. Warmest Regards,