The 11th edition of encourages students who are encountering the field for the first time to tackle theories without fear. The authors’ conversational style and relevant examples keep complex theories within the grasp of first-time theory students. They introduce over 30 diverse theories that are a mix of foundational and recent scholarship and, with the benefit of numerous examples and connections to pop culture, help students apply them to their own lives. The discrete presentation of the theories ensures a well-rounded understanding of each while promoting integrative thinking and facilitating the ability of instructors to skip or rearrange their presentation. The broad selection of theories-from the classics to the cutting edge-ensures that students have a solid foundation with which to begin understanding the relationships between theories.