Spencer A. Rathus is a veteran author known for his warm, encouraging writing style and applied approach to learning. As the first member of his family to attend college, he struggled through dry and technical books that didn't resonate with him. His goal is to write textbooks that excite and motivate today's students, through humor, personal examples, and a clear pedagogical framework. Since earning his Ph.D., he has published research articles in journals such as Adolescence, Behavior Therapy, Journal of Clinical Psychology, Behaviour Research and Therapy, Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, and Criminology. His research interests lie in the areas of human growth and… development, psychological disorders, methods of therapy, and psychological assessment. Foremost among his research publications is the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS), which is widely used in research and clinical practice and frequently referenced in other literature. Rathus taught at Northeastern University, St. John's University, and New York University before arriving at his current position at the College of New Jersey.