The Psychology of Human Possibility and Constraint: (SUNY series, Alternatives in Psychology)

Resolves the fundamental debate between cognitivists and social constructionists concerning the metaphysics of human psychology, and offers new insights into therapy, education, and creativity.

Table of Contents:
Contents Foreword Preface 1. The Challenge: Overcoming the Problems of Dualism without Sacrificing the Psychological Our Thesis Social Constructionism and Cognitive Constructivism in Psychology Atomism Versus Holism 2. Selves and Societies: The Metaphysics of Dynamic Interactionism and the Emergence of the Psychological The Dynamics of the Developmental Context The Emergence of the Psychological Self Selves and Societies The Underdetermination Thesis The Shifting Ontology of the Psychological 3. Scientism, Relativism, and Neorealistic Hermeneutics: An Epistemology for Psychology The Subject Matter of Psychology and the Challenges It Poses Avoiding Scientism and Relativism A Neorealist Hermeneutics Our Thesis in Summary 4. Applying a Psychology of Possibility and Constraint: Psychotherapy Social Constructionist and Cognitive Constructivist Perspectives on Psychotherapy An Integrative Proposal Empirical Demonstration 5. Applying a Psychology of Possibility and Constraint: Education Sociocultural Versus Constructivist Accounts of Educational Development Bridging Sociocultural and Constructivist Accounts of Educational Development Creativity and Innovation 6. Human Possibility and Constraint The Individual and the Social Gadamer's Perspectivism and the Ethics of Dialogical Understanding A Psychology of Possibility and Constraint in Modern Times Concluding Comment References Subject Index Name Index

About the Author :
At Simon Fraser University, Jack Martin is Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor of Education and Jeff Sugarman is a Learning and Study Specialist.

Review :
"...a work of great erudition ... The authors are excellent guides with impeccable taste." - Theory & Psychology "This book provides a strong, coherent philosophy of science for psychology that builds upon and is consistent with the American pragmatic, functional tradition and the continental phenomenological, hermeneutic tradition. It provides a 'middle way' between an objectivist, positivist approach and a subjectivist, postmodernist approach while being sympathetic to arguments of each. The book is full of important insights. It bridges the gap between European hermeneutics and more familiar American pragmatism and offers new insights into therapy, education, and creativity." - David F. Barone, Nova Southeastern University "It is more difficult to explain and defend an integrated, middle-ground position than it is to myopically argue for a simplistic, extreme position. Martin and Sugarman accomplish this more difficult task beautifully." - George Howard, University of Notre Dame