Looking at this diagram (http://img441.imageshack.us/i/zxc.png/ in case above doesn't show) why doesn't the current simply go directly down to the ground symbol instead of doing the loop?
Similarly,

http://img138.imageshack.us/i/zxcvb.png/
why doesn't the current travel from the V+ side of the power source directly downwards to the ground on the path to least resistance instead of taking the side branches?

Sorry these are probably dumb questions but I'm starting EE program in the fall at the U and wanted to start studying during the summer before the classes. Up to around Ch.8 in the book the ground was placed in positions that make sense(ie. last after all resistors, not first up) but I must have missed something along the way and I'm stumped. My understanding is current always travels in the path of least resistance to the ground(V-), but in these diagrams it loops around.

 

In your second drawing, V(-) is not connected to ground.

Current flows from one end of the battery to the other. Where the ground is places is unimportant. It's only important when your using it as a reference for your measurements.

In the example, with the negative lead on ground and the positive on the other end of each resistor, you get +2.5V on one and -2.5V on the other.

 

Maybe it will help if you keep in mind that in a source, either it is a voltage or current one, the current flowing out of the source is equal to the current rushing into the source.

 

Ok, thanks.

 

Oh rather...what goes out must come in...
What goes round...comes around...