Psychology of Human Possibility and Constraint

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.

"…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

• ContentsForewordPreface1. The Challenge: Overcoming the Problems of Dualism without Sacrificing the Psychological Our ThesisSocial Constructionism and Cognitive Constructivism in PsychologyAtomism Versus Holism2. Selves and Societies: The Metaphysics of Dynamic Interactionism and the Emergence of the PsychologicalThe Dynamics of the Developmental ContextThe Emergence of the Psychological SelfSelves and SocietiesThe Underdetermination ThesisThe Shifting Ontology of the Psychological3. Scientism, Relativism, and Neorealistic Hermeneutics: An Epistemology for PsychologyThe Subject Matter of Psychology and the Challenges It PosesAvoiding Scientism and RelativismA Neorealist HermeneuticsOur Thesis in Summary4. Applying a Psychology of Possibility and Constraint: PsychotherapySocial Constructionist and Cognitive Constructivist Perspectives on PsychotherapyAn Integrative ProposalEmpirical Demonstration5. Applying a Psychology of Possibility and Constraint: EducationSociocultural Versus Constructivist Accounts of Educational DevelopmentBridging Sociocultural and Constructivist Accounts of Educational DevelopmentCreativity and Innovation6. Human Possibility and ConstraintThe Individual and the SocialGadamer's Perspectivism and the Ethics of Dialogical UnderstandingA Psychology of Possibility and Constraint in Modern TimesConcluding CommentReferencesSubject IndexName Index