A Study of the Psychological Criteria for TextbookWriting and Development

Development and production of textbook requires continuous research. One of itsimportant aspects deals with psychological features of textbook. This study aims toexplain the psychological criteria for authoring and developing textbooks ineducation, psychology and consulting disciplines. In this study, a descriptivemeasurablemethod has been used. Statistical population of the study includescurriculum experts, textbook authors, and M. A. students and B. A. senior students ofeducation, psychology and consulting of Isfahan University. We used interview andquestionnaire as the tools of our study. The purposeful sampling has been used forinterview sampling, and the size fitted categorical sampling has been used forquestionnaire sampling. In order to estimate the validity of the questionnaire andinterview, content and form validity were assessed. The reliability of thequestionnaire was determined by the coefficient of Cronbakh’s alpha that was about0/84. The results show that ideal textbooks consider psychological features morethan mean (3٫5 of 5). The results of the interview show that the features that havebeen considered include: applicability of textbook materials in life, appropriatenessof content with strengthening the interest and curiosity of students, appropriatenessof content with basic knowledge and students developmental stages, cognitive stylesof students, attractiveness of content for students and its appropriateness for theirinterests and abilities have been considered.