A History of Psychology in Western Civilization (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780521189309)

This book is a re-introduction to psychology. It focuses on great scholarly thinkers, beginning with Plato, Marcus Aurelius and St Augustine, who gave the field its foundational ideas long before better known 'founders', such as Galton, Fechner, Wundt and Watson, appeared on the scene. Psychology can only achieve its full breadth and potential when we fully appreciate its scholarly legacy. Bruce Alexander and Curtis Shelton also argue that the fundamental contradictions built into psychology's history have never been resolved, and that a truly pragmatic approach, as defined by William James, can produce a 'layered' psychology that will enable psychologists to face the fearsome challenges of the twenty-first century. A History of Psychology in Western Civilization claims that contemporary psychology has overemphasized the methods of physical science and that psychology will need a broader scientific orientation alongside a scholarly focus in order to fully engage the future.

Author: Bruce K. Alexander, Curtis P. Shelton
ISBN-10: 0521189306
ISBN-13: 9780521189309
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 07/03/2014
Pages: 559
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.80lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 1.20d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 01/01/2015 pg. 895