Psychology in Perspective

'This volume is accessible to anyone with an interest in what makes human beings tick...The book is equally suitable for the undergraduate student who wants to know what psychology is about, and the mature student or practitioner, urging the reader to think critically about the discipline...this volume makes for challenging reading.' - Venita Ramtohul, Psychology Learning and Teaching

This work presents a series of challenging essays addressing controversial themes and debates in psychology, including the impact of the behaviourist movement, concerns about ethical and socially responsible research (such as the human genome project), and issues in social and cognitive psychology.Psychology in Perspective is a series of thought-provoking essays addressing some of the major controversial themes and debates in psychology. This revised and expanded second edition includes coverage of:

- psychological reductionism, including the impact of the behaviourist movement

- the human genome project: modern concerns about ethical and socially responsible research, and the challenge this presents to current psychological practice

- issues in social psychology and socio-cognitive development, and aspects of cognitive psychology including artificial intelligence and the computer metaphor

- new material on the child's social world, simulating human cognition, and the cognitive implications of human social evolution

In this hard-hitting, challenging and direct text, the author discusses the political and social implications of psychological research, and brings to light fundamental trends as well as philosophical underpinnings of psychological theory. Its synoptic approach will be useful for students trying to bring together the various areas of psychological knowledge; for psychologists looking at broad trends within their discipline, and for the reader with an interest in psychology as a whole.