In this volume, Gudykunst applies his world-renowned approach to intercultural communication to the specifics of Japanese/North American communication. After laying out the basic theories of intercultural communication, the authors explain the similarities and differences in patterns of communication in Japan and the United States. They then demonstrate how an understanding of these contrasting patterns can help Japanese and North Americans communicate more effectively. By examining issues such as attitudes and stereotypes, ways to deepen the understanding of Japanese behaviour are suggested. Also discussed are the factors that influence motivation, knowledge and skills to increase communication effectiveness.
This lucidly argued volume covers the key philosophical revolutions that are shaping contemporary psychology. Harr[ac]e and Gillett herald a new paradigm in psychology, dissolving the Cartesian distinction between mind and body in favour of the discursive turn in psychological theory. The authors explore the discursive origins of the self, the problem of agency and social understanding of personality. In the process, they elevate the emotions to a significant place in our understanding of mind, action and being. The theoretical breadth of the book is matched by its treatment of a wide range of subjects, including: consciousness; the brain; perception; thought; personality; and the emotions.
This volume explores the correlation between drug abuse and crime. In examining the thinking and behavioural patterns common to both, it proposes a new explanatory model. Seeing involvement in drug abuse and crime as overlapping lifestyles, the author considers four primary factors: conditions, choices, cognitions and change. By comparing this new model with existing models, Walters provides new insight into drug abuse, crime and their overlap.
"Constructing the Social" provides a clear overview on how to do social constructionist research and analysis and an understanding of the concrete implications of social constructionist theory. Each chapter analyzes the historical and cultural contexts of a wide range of key issues including anxiety, the family, intelligence, ageing and depression. The contributors demonstrate that human beings are social agents rather passive reactors or mere processors of information.
These stimulating companion volumes reflect an expansion of the coverage of Wrightsman's earlier book Personality Development in Adulthood. They encourage readers to look at the evolving nature of their own lives, and include case studies throughout to illustrate concepts in a thought-provoking, non-technical manner.
This collection makes an important contribution to contemporary feminist and psychological debates on identities and racisms. It addresses issues of commonalities, differences, subjectivities and the contradictory nature of positionings which are central concerns for feminist and anti-racist politics. Leading feminists examine: the ways in which psychology has reproduced racism; the complexity of issues of identities and racisms which are shown to be multiple, constantly variable and renegotiable; the need to problematize and unpack `whiteness'; and the problems of identity politics both in terms of explanatory power and political action.
In his exploration of the interaction between religion and worldwide social and cultural change, the author examines the major theories of global change and discusses the ways in which such change impinges on contemporary religious practice, meaning and influence. Beyer explores some of the key issues in understanding the shape of religion today, including religion as culture and as social system, pure and applied religion, privatized and publicly influential religion, and liberal versus conservative religions. He goes on to apply these issues to five contemporary illustrative cases: the American Christian Right; Liberation Theology movements in Latin America; the Islamic Revolution in Iran; Zionists in Israel; and religious environmentalism.
Designed to help beginners estimate and test structural equation modelling (SEM) using the EQS approach, this book demonstrates a variety of SEM/EQS applications that include both partial factor analytic and full latent variable models. Beginning with an overview of the basic concepts of SEM and the EQS program, the author works through applications starting with a single sample approach through to more advanced applications, such as a multi-sample approach. The book concludes with a section on using EQS for modelling with Windows.
Organizational and Human Resource Management Dimensions
Over the past decade, many companies have adopted new strategies for manufacturing, which have taken their competitiveness on to new planes. A whole array of initiatives, such as FMS, JIT, TQM, CIM, and MRP II, have been introduced. This book deals with the far-reaching significance of these new approaches - collectively labelled "new wave manufacturing". Considerable research evidence as well as practitioners' own experiences make one crucial point time and time again. The organizational as well as the human resource management aspects of these new strategies are critical to their success or failure. The underlying theme which is tackled in this book, therefore, is to what extent do these new operational strategies require a matching set of organizational and HR strategies? By looking at the issues through the joint eyes of production and behavioural analysts, this book provides an unique introduction to the new developments in manufacturing as well as providing an up-to-date assessment of the organizational and H R dimensions to these methods. New Wave Manufacturing Strategies has a vision which goes beyond the "new technology"/advanced manufacturing technology discussions. The chapters have been written in a clear, accessible manner by leading experts from Europe, the USA and Australia as well as from the UK.