A Conceptual History of Psychology: The Mind Through Time

Table of Contents:
PART 1. FOUNDATION: THE ROOTS OF PSYCHOLOGY 1. People, History, and the Concept of Psychology 2. Spirituality, Philosophy, and the Concept of The Mind 3. Knowledge, Empiricism, and the Concept of Science PART 2. FORMATION: FROM PHILOSOPHY TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 4. Demons, Asylums, and the Concept of Madness 5. Brains, Evolution, and the Concept of Human Nature 6. Quantification, Measurement, and the Concept of Race PART III. FERTILITY: THE EMERGENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUBFIELDS 7. Freudianism, Instincts, and the Concept of Sexuality 8. Behaviourism, Will, and the Concept of Freedom 9. Cognitivism, Computers, and the Concept of Reason 10. Individuals, Groups, and the Concept of Society PART 4. FUTURE: LIMITATIONS AND LEGACY 11. Perspectives, Diversity, and the Concept of Bias 12. Good, Bad, and the Concept of Morality

About the Author :
Brian Hughes is Professor of Psychology at the University of Galway, Ireland

Review :
Many histories of psychology recount events, biographies, and ideas. However, few put them so thoughtfully in context in the way this book does. Students will gain a vivid appreciation of how psychological concepts and historical narratives were powerfully shaped by the diverse cultures and intellectual traditions from which they sprung, with the lessons learnt being of continuing relevance today. In his latest text, Hughes has set the bar for a textbook on conceptual, historical and philosophical issues in psychology. It stands apart, not just in making the sub-field topic accessible to tutors and students, but also in bringing together far more nuanced and critical literature that has been missing from traditional text books in this field. In short, this is a book I wish I had written! Finally, we have a comprehensive and detail-orientated introduction to the history of psychology which brings in a range of non-Western perspectives to challenge all the given tenets from 20th century Western psychology. This volume is a must-read for Psychology students seeking an insight into the origins and evolution of the discipline. Unlike many books which detail the history of psychology, Brian Hughes' clear and engaging writing style, and use of examples from popular culture, literature and modern politics make this an entertaining and insightful text. It is noteworthy that Hughes has delved beyond typical Westernized accounts of the history of psychology, exploring perspectives from across cultures and giving a voice to minority scholars who played important but somewhat forgotten roles in shaping current psychological knowledge and understanding. Throughout its history, psychology has incorporated a large number of highly varied and at times incongruous theories, opinions, and philosophical and religious views about human nature-while ignoring many others. In this tour-de-force, Brian Hughes provides a comprehensive overview of the checkered history of psychology, emphasising both its enduring limitations and its continuing potential contributions. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in gaining a broader perspective on psychology and broader ideas about human nature.