Social constructionist psychology : a critical analysis of theory and practice

Author(s)

    • Nightingale, David J.
    • Cromby, John

Bibliographic Information

Social constructionist psychology : a critical analysis of theory and practice

edited by David J. Nightingale and John Cromby

Open University Press, 1999

  • pbk.

Available at  / 23 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

pbk. ISBN 9780335201921

Description

* How can ideas about the social construction of reality be reconciled with the material and embodied aspects of our being? * In what ways can a realist framework inform social constructionist research? * What are the limits of social constructionism? This accessible text draws together for the first time a wide range of emerging issues, ideas and discussions in constructionist psychology. It shows how these issues are relevant to everyday life, using carefully-chosen examples to illustrate its arguments, and provides a coherent and challenging introduction to the field. The book explores the growing conviction that dominant 'discursive' trends in social constructionism - which deal with the analysis of language and discourse to the exclusion of the material world, embodiment, personal-social history, and power - are inadequate or incomplete and risk preventing social constructionism from maturing into a viable and coherent body of theory, method and practice. In highlighting what are seen as deficiencies in current constructionist approaches, it inevitably takes a somewhat critical stance. However, the contributing authors are committed to a constructionist analysis of the human condition - into which they seek to reintegrate the material and embodied aspects of our nature. As a result, the completion of social constructionism is brought a step closer and its continued importance is underlined.

Table of Contents

Notes on contributors Preface What's wrong with social constructionism? /f002Part one: A critical analysis of theory Critical reflexive humanism and critical constructionist psychology Beyond appearances a critical realist approach to social constructionist work A paradigm shift? connections with other critiques of social constructionism /f002Part two: Materiality and embodiment Between the dark and the light power and the material contexts of social relations "Discourse or materiality?" impure alternatives for recurrent debates Discourse and the embodied person The extra-discursive in social constructionism Realism, constructionism and phenomenology Taking our selves seriously /f002Part three: A critical analysis of practice Whose construction? points from a feminist perspective Social constructionism implications for psychotherapeutic practice That's all very well, but what use is it? Conclusion reconstructing social constructionism Glossary Index.
Volume

ISBN 9780335201938

Description

This book explores the growing conviction that dominant "discursive" trends in social constructionism - which deal with the analysis of language and discourse to the exclusion of the material world, embodiment,personal-social history, and power - are inadequate or incomplete and risk preventing social constructionism from maturing into a viable and coherent body of theory, method and practice, in highlighting what are seen as deficiencies in current constructionist approaches, the book takes a somewhat critical stance. However, the contributing authors are committed to a constructionist analysis of the human condition - into which they seek to reintegrate the material and embodied aspects of our nature. this text draws together for the first time a wide range of emerging issues, ideas and discussions in constructionist psychology. It shows how these issues are relevant to everyday life, using carefully-chosen examples to illustrate its arguments, and provides a coherent and challenging introduction to the field. As a result, the completion of social constructionism is brought a step closer its continued importance is underlined.

Table of Contents

  • Preface: what's wrong with social constructionism? Part 1 A critical analysis of theory: critical reflexive humanism and critical constructionist psychology
  • beyond appearances - a critical realist approach to social constructionist work
  • a paradigm shift? connections with other critiques of social constructionism. Part 2 Materiality and embodiment: between the dark and the light - power and the material contexts of social relations
  • "discourse or materiality?" impure alternatives for recurrent debates
  • discourse and the embodied person
  • the extra-discursive in social constructionism
  • realism, constructionism and phenomenology
  • taking ourselves seriously. Part 3 A critical analysis of practice: whose construction? points from a feminist perspective
  • social constructionism - implications for psychotherapeutic practice
  • that's all very well, but what use is it? Conclusion: reconstructing social constructionism.

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