Paul Van Geert - Böcker

This is the first of a two-volume work in the Annals series devoted to developmental psychology. The project was originally conceived in 1985 when Paul van Geert, who had just completed his Theory building in developmental psychology (North Holland, 1986), agreed to col­ laborate on anAnnals volume examining foundational issues pertaining to the concept of development. The project attracted considerable interest and, in view of the length of the resulting manuscript, a decision was made to publish it in two volumes. Fortunately, the contributors provided coherent perspectives on two relatively distinct developmen­ tal themes which served to facilitate our task of dividing their contribu­ tions into two volumes. The first volume deals with the foundations of developmental theory and methodology; the second volume -to appear as Volume 8 of the Annals -with theoretical issues in developmental psychology. In this first volume, the contributions by Willis Overton and Joachim Wohlwill were completed in 1988, those by Roger Dixon, Richard Lerner, and David Hultsch, and Paul van Geert in 1989. Commentaries followed quickly and replies to commentaries were completed in 1990. Paul van Geert provides a general framework within which the founda­ tional issues of development are discussed. He is especially concerned with the nature of transition models and the structure of time in developmental theory. The relationship between methods and framework, or theory, is the topic of Joachim Wohlwill's contribution.

As a follow up to Volume 7, contributors continue to explore the latest developments in developmental psychology. Here, researchers focus on the integration of theory and research and evaluates theoretical progress and advanced research. Continuing with the successful format of previous volumes in Annals of Theoretical Psychology, Volume 10 presents four major contributions-each accompanied by commentaries and replies to commentaries.

This book presents a comprehensive and unexpected approach to the visual arts, grounded in the theories of complexity and dynamical systems. Paul van Geert shows how complexity and dynamical systems theories, originally developed in mathematics and physics, offer a novel perspective through which to view the visual arts. Diverse aspects of visual arts as a practice, profession, and historical framework are covered. A key focus lies in the unique characteristics of complex systems: feedback loops bridging short- to long-term temporal scales, self-organizing into creative emergent properties; dynamics which may be applied to a wide range of topics. By synthesizing theory and empirical evidence from diverse fields including philosophy, psychology, sociology, art history, and economics, this pioneering work demonstrates the utility of simulation models in deciphering a surprisingly wide range of phenomena such as artistic (super)stardom and shifts within art historical paradigms.

Psychological science constructs much of the knowledge that we consume in our everyday lives. This book is a systematic analysis of this process, and of the nature of the knowledge it produces. The authors show how mainstream scientific activity treats psychological properties as being fundamentally stable, universal, and isolable. They then challenge this status quo by inviting readers to recognize that dynamics, context-specificity, interconnectedness, and uncertainty, are a natural and exciting part of human psychology - these are not things to be avoided and feared, but instead embraced. This requires a shift toward a process-based approach that recognizes the situated, time-dependent, and fundamentally processual nature of psychological phenomena. With complex dynamic systems as a framework, this book sketches out how we might move toward a process-based praxis that is more suitable and effective for understanding human functioning.

Psychological science constructs much of the knowledge that we consume in our everyday lives. This book is a systematic analysis of this process, and of the nature of the knowledge it produces. The authors show how mainstream scientific activity treats psychological properties as being fundamentally stable, universal, and isolable. They then challenge this status quo by inviting readers to recognize that dynamics, context-specificity, interconnectedness, and uncertainty, are a natural and exciting part of human psychology - these are not things to be avoided and feared, but instead embraced. This requires a shift toward a process-based approach that recognizes the situated, time-dependent, and fundamentally processual nature of psychological phenomena. With complex dynamic systems as a framework, this book sketches out how we might move toward a process-based praxis that is more suitable and effective for understanding human functioning.

Originally published in 1983, the aim of this book was to discuss some fundamental problems of cognitive developmental psychology at the time. The theme which underlies the discussion is that scientific knowledge of the cognitive characteristics of other people starts from the cognitive instruments that we psychologist employ, viz. our theories, models, assumptions, methods of enquiry etc. Thus our scientific cognitive equipment not only provides the format in which cognition in other people is expressed, it also exemplifies, in some abstract sense, this cognition. The first part of the book deals with the concept of development in relation to the structure of developmental theories. It is argued that theories originate from (implicit) conceptual analyses of (implicit) final state definitions. Starting from this specific view on the nature of developmental theories, the second part of the book discusses perception and perceptual development.

Originally published in 1983, the aim of this book was to discuss some fundamental problems of cognitive developmental psychology at the time. The theme which underlies the discussion is that scientific knowledge of the cognitive characteristics of other people starts from the cognitive instruments that we psychologist employ, viz. our theories, models, assumptions, methods of enquiry etc. Thus our scientific cognitive equipment not only provides the format in which cognition in other people is expressed, it also exemplifies, in some abstract sense, this cognition. The first part of the book deals with the concept of development in relation to the structure of developmental theories. It is argued that theories originate from (implicit) conceptual analyses of (implicit) final state definitions. Starting from this specific view on the nature of developmental theories, the second part of the book discusses perception and perceptual development.

This is the first of a two-volume work in the Annals series devoted to developmental psychology. The project was originally conceived in 1985 when Paul van Geert, who had just completed his Theory building in developmental psychology (North Holland, 1986), agreed to col­ laborate on anAnnals volume examining foundational issues pertaining to the concept of development. The project attracted considerable interest and, in view of the length of the resulting manuscript, a decision was made to publish it in two volumes. Fortunately, the contributors provided coherent perspectives on two relatively distinct developmen­ tal themes which served to facilitate our task of dividing their contribu­ tions into two volumes. The first volume deals with the foundations of developmental theory and methodology; the second volume -to appear as Volume 8 of the Annals -with theoretical issues in developmental psychology. In this first volume, the contributions by Willis Overton and Joachim Wohlwill were completed in 1988, those by Roger Dixon, Richard Lerner, and David Hultsch, and Paul van Geert in 1989. Commentaries followed quickly and replies to commentaries were completed in 1990. Paul van Geert provides a general framework within which the founda­ tional issues of development are discussed. He is especially concerned with the nature of transition models and the structure of time in developmental theory. The relationship between methods and framework, or theory, is the topic of Joachim Wohlwill's contribution.