John F. Schumaker - Böcker

This is an interdisciplinary collection of previously unpublished papers on the much-disputed relationship between religious behaviour and mental health. Schumaker has assembled a distinguished international roster of contributors - sociologists and anthropologists as well as psychiatrists and psychologists of religion. Taken together, the papers provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in the field, as well as shedding new light on a number of specific topics, subject groups, and interpretive perspectives.

Previous leading commentators on the development of psychology in the Third World have conceived of three major stages: an attempt to assimilate Western psychology, with predictably negative results; the study of indigenous constructs, with more relevant applications; and, finally, transcending stage one and stage two to choose theories and methods on their applied merit alone. Psychology and the Developing World has been assembled to document how close psychology has come to researching that stage. Contributors were carefully selected to provide a unique overview of the latest applications of the discipline as a whole. Their work reveals how psychology is being applied to educational needs, management needs, and health needs. This book shows how development studies and allied disciplines cannot ignore psychology's potential for the Third World.

An interdisciplinary volume which draws together the concepts of culture and cognition in the wider context of psychopathology. It provides new perspectives on the etiology, treatment, and prevention of psychopathology by challenging current individualistic models and assumptions, while offering new theoretical formulations that take account of the cultural foundation of the cognition process.This book is divided into three sections. The first offers a history of the existing shortsighted models that see the individual as the source of pathological cognitions. The second section is comprised of nine chapters that examine selected mental disorders. The final section examines the implications of new models that take account of cultural sources of cognition. This book will be of interest to clinical and cross-cultural psychology; anthropology, sociology, and professionals in psychology, social services, and public health.

The often misunderstood modern person syndrome is a disorder linked to the conditions of living in our contemporary society. The author argues that the conditions of modernity have introduced new processes, forces, and cultural motivations that have major implications for all aspects of mental health and social well being. While modernity offers unprecedented opportunities for personal enhancement and creative expression, there is mounting evidence of a mental health crisis that demands the immediate attention of mental health professionals. In order to address the new challenges that have arisen under conditions of modernity, mental health professionals must rethink fundamental assumptions about the relationship between society and mental health, as well as the impact of modern social concerns upon individual behavior and psychological well being.This innovative approach to mental health seeks to explain a variety of psychological trends, including the steep rise in depression, the sharp increase in the prevalence of existential disorders, and the emergence of consumption disorders. By shedding light on the interaction between modernity and mental health, Schumaker illuminates the emerging patterns of mental disturbance while also offering new and more effective intervention and prevention strategies.

Although a growing number of researchers emphasize the social and psychocultural aspects of motivation and motivation theory, few books have provided much coverage beyond well-tread studies of physiological and biological factors and theories.Motivation and Culture brings together eighteen writers with a variety of academic backgrounds and cultural experiences to explore the way that culture impinges on motivation. Exploring topics such as personal values and motives, intercultural exchange in the workplace, the intrapsychic process and the nexus between biology and culture, they formulate theories of motivation that can be applied in the modern multicultural world.Contributors include: Dona Lee Davis, Russell Geen, Joan Miller, John Paul Scott, William Wedenoja, Elisa J. Sobo and Stephen Wilson.

Although a growing number of researchers emphasize the social and psychocultural aspects of motivation and motivation theory, few books have provided much coverage beyond well-tread studies of physiological and biological factors and theories.Motivation and Culture brings together eighteen writers with a variety of academic backgrounds and cultural experiences to explore the way that culture impinges on motivation. Exploring topics such as personal values and motives, intercultural exchange in the workplace, the intrapsychic process and the nexus between biology and culture, they formulate theories of motivation that can be applied in the modern multicultural world.Contributors include: Dona Lee Davis, Russell Geen, Joan Miller, John Paul Scott, William Wedenoja, Elisa J. Sobo and Stephen Wilson.

Wings of Illusion offers a unique and disquieting perspective on paranormal belief, including religious belief. Schumaker points out that reality-defying beliefs represent one of the few truly universal elements of human culture. Even during the present period, when many traditional beliefs are being weakened, very few people live without some form of paranormal belief. The object of this study is to trace the psychological origins of the paranormal and to consider the implications of the prevalence of paranormal belief for the future development of humanity.The author's conception of the paranormal differs substantially from the way in which this term has been used by previous authors. The book is not an attempt to document the existence of forces beyond those of nature; on the contrary, it regards belief in such forces as illusory. Given the illusory character of such beliefs, the author seeks to pose and answer the question: Why are paranormal beliefs so common, what functions do they serve, and what "price" do we pay for such beliefs? In discussing this issue, Schumaker is able to cast new light upon a range of psychological issues that would appear to have nothing to do directly with notions of the paranormal, such as suggestibility and various kinds of "mental disorders." He also analyzes the implications of his interpretation for current forms of Western therapy.The broad-ranging concerns of this book, and the challenging nature of the thesis it develops, should bring it to the attention of a wide audience. Professionals in psychology, the study of religion, anthropology, and sociology will find this work of importance to them. But it should also interest everyone concerned with seeking to understand the human condition in an age of crisis.

This groundbreaking volume examines our sometimes strained grasp of reality and sheds new light on three subject areas that continue to fascinate researchers: religion, hypnosis and psychopathology.The Corruption of Reality challenges many of the ideas in all three disciplines and paves the way for an exciting, far-reaching and unified theory of conscious and unconscious behavior. Schumaker argues that, despite their apparent differences, religion, hypnosis, and psychopathology are all expressions of the unique human ability to modify and regulate reality in ways that ultimately serve the individual and society. In turn, these same behaviors can be traced to the brain's remarkable capacity to process information along multiple pathways, thus allowing the person to manipulate reality in strategic directions aimed at improved coping. He includes a historical and cross-cultural analysis showing how reality reconstruction takes place, and outlines the shortcomings of current psychotherapeutic approaches as well as the promising trends toward a spiritualization of psychotherapy.