Bücher der Reihe Inquiries in Social Construction Series

Uses discourse analytic terms to examine some of psychology's most fundamental concepts. Focusing on memory and attribution, the book shows the way their compartmentalization and failure to theorize adequately about language usage in everyday social practices has led to important weaknesses.

Offers a broad-ranging perspective of the contemporary debates surrounding social constructionist perspectives in psychology. The contributors map connections between theory, method, and politics in social research in the context of social constructionist and discursive debates.

The internationally renowned contributors to this book examine the senses in which we are `social selves' whose very identities are intimately bound up with the communities and cultures in which we live. Drawing on Wittgenstein, Marx, Foucault, Bakhtin, Gilligan and MacIntyre, among others, the chapters show the diversity of influences that have shaped this exciting and controversial issue.

Explores the possibilities for the therapeutic process of adopting a social constructionist perspective. Topics covered in this text include the theoretical basis for social constructionist therapy, and various approaches in practice, such as "irreverant therapy" and "the not-knowing therapist".

Locates contemporary discourses of anorexia nervosa within their historical context, showing how practices continue to be influenced by medicine, psychology, ideology and politics. This book argues that anorexia nervosa must be considered within the political, social and gendered relationships that continue to contribute to its definition.

Challenging the traditional view of memory as the product and property of individual minds, this book investigates remembering and forgetting as socially constituted activities.

Investigates the complex strands that inextricably link gender and power relations, demonstrating how gender is constructed through the practices of power. This book explores: how theorizing on power is affected when gender is taken into account; post-Foucauldian theory of gender and power; and whether it is possible to separate gender and power.

`This is a wonderful volume, powerfully written, timely, insightful, and filled with major pieces; the passion, intellectual rigor and sense of history found here promises to shape this field in the decades to come. This volume sets the agenda for the future'' - Norman K Denzin, University of Illinois`A beautifully crafted manuscript which re-invigorates the rather stale debate between the traditionalists and the anti-psychiatry schools of thought.... For all those working in mental health arenas the journeying through this text will be highly rewarding indeed. Stick with it.'' - Mental Health Care`This is a book which will apeal to those interested in theoretical debates rather than to practitioners who may find it heavey weather if they have not had the time or resources to engage with what are often quite difficult and often dense writings'' - British Journal of Social Work`This book.. present[s] a clarity that is vivid.... This book would be a good place for psychiatrists to start'' - British Journal of PsychiatryPathology and the Postmodern explores the relationship between mental distress and social constructionism using new work from eminent scholars in the fields of sociology, psychology and philosophy. The authors address: how specific cultural, economic and historical forces converge in contemporary psychiatry and psychology; how new syndromes, subjectivities and identities are being constructed and deconstructed in technological, culturally mediated and hyper-reflexive contexts; and what new critiques of positivism and new understandings of `pathology'' seem viable, given these still emerging scenarios.Building upon work in such areas as labelling theory, feminist studies, linguistics, and post-structuralism, the twelve chapters engage the cultural, historical and political conditions that should be implicated in our understanding of contemporary mental suffering.

Explores the basis for a postmodern psychology. Contributors examine key themes within postmodernist/post-structuralist theory such as: the nature of knowledge, the central role of language, concept of self, and their implications for reworking psychology in the "postmodern world".

Challenges the traditional scientific view that naturally occurring psychological and sociological "realities" of a systematic kind are to be discovered underlying appearances. This text claims that such orderly "realities" are both socially constructed and sustained within everyday conversation.

This major book offers a comprehensive overview of key debates on subjectivity and the subject in psychological theory and practice. In addition to social construction's long engagement with social relations, this volume addresses questions of the body, technology, intersubjectivity, writing and investigative practices.

Provides an overview of how to do social constructionist research and analysis, and an understanding of the concrete implications of social constructionist theory. Each chapter analyzes the historical and cultural contexts of a wide range of issues, including anxiety, the family and ageing.