"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.
This is the study of a major change in American middle-class emotional culture. It took place between the end of World War I and the 1950s. Becoming a cool character meant adopting an air of nonchalance, an emotional mantle, to shield the whole personality from embarrassing excess.
Basic techniques for achieving group success are described in the latest edition of this popular handbook for group facilitators, which clearly details when, how and why to use each technique. Concrete examples are provided for each technique, and its application to a wide range of topics is discussed. These include contract negotiation, mediation, confrontation, gatekeeping, focusing, responding to feelings, rewarding effort and achievement, information management and summarizing. Completely revised and updated, this edition includes improved practice exercises, an expanded discussion on the nature of group success, and a new section which relates leadership techniques to group-specific cases.
Unheard Melodies: a Third Principle of Mental Functioning
As social animals, each of us can only be partly understood through insights into our individual psychodynamics. There is, within us, another principle at work: to preserve the group, even at the expense of the individual. This title constructs a necessary bridge between individual psychodynamics and group dynamics.
This volume explores the impact of social, cultural, structural, network and dynamic transactional processes on the conduct of relationships. In so doing, it makes a compelling case for research to be directed away from over-application of individual perspectives and towards inclusion of contextual factors. Confronting the practical realities against which individuals may struggle to manage relationships, contributors focus on such issues as: limits on opportunity and freedom; coercive family norms; responsibilities; poverty; and prejudice.
This volume explores the impact of social, cultural, structural, network and dynamic transactional processes on the conduct of relationships. In so doing, it makes a compelling case for research to be directed away from over-application of individual perspectives and towards inclusion of contextual factors. Confronting the practical realities against which individuals may struggle to manage relationships, contributors focus on such issues as: limits on opportunity and freedom; coercive family norms; responsibilities; poverty; and prejudice.
I speak the truth, not so much as I would, but as much as I dare....-- Montaigne All cruel people describe themselves as paragons of frankness.' -- Tennessee Williams Truth and deception--like good and evil--have long been viewed as diametrically opposed and unreconcilable. Yet, few people can honestly claim they never lie. In fact, deception ......
Family communication is a topic of central interest in a large number of fields across the social and behavioural sciences - for instance, in the domains of language acquisition, cognitive development and socialization. This concise, readable book is the first to offer an interdisciplinary integration of current research on parent-child interaction in the `traditional' family structure. Examining the important variables of self-control, self-concept and communication competencies in childhood, this volume functions as a research heuristic and a vehicle for conversation between theorists, researchers and practitioners.
