Psychobiographer's Handbook

Joseph G. Ponterotto, PhD, is a professor of counseling psychology in the graduate school of education at Fordham University amp rsquo s New York City campus. He is a leading national scholar in psychobiography, multicultural psychology, and qualitative research methods. He has published books, including two psychobiographies: A Psychobiography of Bobby Fischer (2 2) and A Psychobiography of John F. Kennedy, Jr. (2 9). His research on Bobby Fischer led to his role as historical consultant on the major motion picture, Pawn Sacrifice (2 ), starring Tobey Maguire as Bobby Fischer and Liev Schreiber as Boris Spassky.

Useful for novice and expert researchers alike, this exceptionally rich, provocative, and well-reasoned book will have a major impact for decades on psychobiography, lifespan development, and personality research. Professor Ponterotto offers a seminal theoretical, methodological, and practical account of the art and science of psychobiography. His inclusion of a chapter on the self-care of the researcher is brilliant! - Cynthia E. Winston-Proctor, PhD, Department of Psychology, Howard University, Washington, DC This volume is certain to become the indispensable reference for anyone seeking to learn about and/or engage in psychobiographical research. Due to its lucid prose and easy-to-follow chapter organization, it is an ideal text for an undergraduate course in psychobiography. At the same time, its comprehensive attention to historical and theoretical developments in psychobiography make it an invaluable resource for the sophisticated scholar. Its miniprofiles of a diverse collection of contemporary prominent psychobiographers are an added bonus. - Jefferson A. Singer, PhD, Faulk Foundation Professor of Psychology, Connecticut College, New London, CT; author, The Proper Pirate: Robert Louis Stevenson's Quest for Identity This milestone handbook in the history of psychobiography will be useful to virtually any reader: the novice looking to get started, or the expert looking for a comprehensive reflection on the special endeavor of psychobiographical inquiry. It manages to be both deeply insightful and tangibly practical. A gem! - Jonathan M. Adler, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA; editor, Personality and Social Psychology Review This is the defining book on the history and methods of psychobiography written by leading qualitative researcher, Joseph G. Ponterotto. In it, Ponterotto describes the foundations of this field and provides an accessible guide for how to conduct psychobiographical research and how to make decisions along the way. - Heidi M. Levitt, PhD, Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston; editor, Qualitative Psychology Dr. Joseph G. Ponterotto has been in the forefront of the resurgence of psychobiography. His The Psychobiographer's Handbook: A Practical Guide to Research and Ethics is an indispensable resource, a classic of its kind, for anyone interested in psychobiography. This handbook covers all the essential subjects for both the experienced and novice psychobiographer it is a delightful read by an expert scholar. - Ken Fuchsman, EdD, Emeritus Assistant Extension Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

• Introduction: The Evolving Journey of PsychobiographyPart I. Historical, Methodological, and Ethical Foundations for PsychobiographyChapter . Defining the Field of PsychobiographyChapter 2. Historical Perspectives in PsychobiographyChapter 3. Current Status and Emerging Trends in PsychobiographyChapter 4. Research Paradigms and Inquiry ApproachesChapter 5. The Psychobiographer's amp quot Relationship amp quot and Positionality to the Historic SubjectChapter . The Psychobiographical Subject in Socio-Cultural-Historic ContextChapter 7. Ethical and Legal Issues in PsychobiographyChapter 8. Ethical Best Practices: A Checklist and Decision-Making ModelPart II. Conducting Psychobiography: Nuts and BoltsChapter 9. Overview of the Process and Steps of Psychobiographical ResearchChapter . Selecting a Subject, Deciding Whether to Work With a Team, and Establishing Initial Research GoalsChapter . Choosing and Using a Psychological Theory to Guide Your AnalysisChapter 2. Engaging the Research: Locating, Evaluating, and Integrating Data on Your SubjectChapter 3. Writing and Disseminating the Psychobiographical ReportChapter 4. Psychobiographer Self-CareEpilogue: Top Characteristics of a Strong PsychobiographyReferencesAppendix A. Initial Content Validity of the Psychobiographer's Competency Self-Assessment ScaleAppendix B. Sample Definitions of PsychobiographyAppendix C. Sample Institutional Review Board Psychobiography Study ProposalAppendix D. Encountering Erik Erikson: Reflections of Alan C. Elms, William McKinley Runyan, and James W. AndersonAppendix E. Sample Psychobiography Course Syllabus