Re-Envisioning Psychology

In the twentieth century, the practice of psychology has usually been based on a scientific or objective theory of human behavior. Today, an influential countermovement, often called social constructionism, argues that there is no basis for our beliefs or values beyond the swirl of meanings and practices in a particular community or era. Re-envisioning Psychology examines the increasing dissatisfaction with both scientific and social constructionist viewpoints and presents a sweeping new vision of theory and practice in psychology.

"Re-envisioning Psychology is a breath of fresh air, a clear and resounding voice that provides an intellectual and moral direction that, if heeded and built upon, could lead psychology out of the confusion and political collusion in which it is currently mired. Richardson, Fowers, and Guignon have imaginatively applied interpretive and dialogic concepts to the most troubling aspects of theory and practice. If psychology is going to be saved from its own worst tAndencies, this book will be an indispensable element in its turning."
--Philip Cushman, associate professor, California School of Professional Psychology and author of Constructing the Self, Constructing America: A Cultural History of Psychotherapy

Acknowledgments

Introduction 1

Part 1 Ethical Underpinnings of Modern Psychotherapy

1 Dilemmas of Modern Culture 25

2 Freedom and Commitment in Modern Psychotherapy 53

3 Individualism, Family Ideology, and Family Therapy 73

4 The Challenge of Psychotherapy Integration 91

5 Existential Psychotherapy: A Reassessment 114

Part 2 Beyond Scientism and Constructionism

6 Cognitive Theory of Aggression: A Case Study 141

7 Individualism, Marital Research, and the Good Marriage 156

8 Clashing Views of Social Inquiry 173

9 What Is Hermeneutics? 199

Part 3 Toward an Interpretive Psychology

10 Rethinking Psychotherapy 239

11 Social Theory as Practice 277

References 307

About the Authors 325

Name Index 327

Subject Index 333

FRANK C. RICHARDSON is professor, Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas, Austin.

BLAINE J. FOWERS is associate professor, Department of Educational and Psychological Studies at the University of Miami.

CHARLES B. GUIGNON is professor, Department of Philosophy at the University of Vermont.

A powerful new view of psychology

Re-envisioning Psychology offers a provocative examination of contemporary psychology and its role in society and presents a bold new philosophical perspective from which clinicians and researchers can re-imagine their work.

“Re-envisioning Psychology is a breath of fresh air, a clear and resounding voice that provides an intellectual and moral direction that, if heeded and built upon, could lead psychology out of the confusion and political collusion in which it is currently mired. Richardson, Fowers, and Guignon have imaginatively applied interpretive and dialogic concepts to the most troubling aspects of theory and practice. If psychology is going to be saved from its own worst tendencies, this book will be an indispensable element in its turning.”
—PHILIP CUSHMAN, associate professor, California School of Professional Psychology, and author of Constructing the Self, Constructing America: A Cultural History of Psychotherapy

“Richardson, Fowers, and Guignon bring together a valuable integrated examination of psychology’s entanglements with twentieth century ideologies. The book provides a cogent argument for the importance of social theory in the understanding of the cultural and moral underpinnings of modern psychology and psychological practice. A commendable ethical imperative drives the authors’ ideas and provides a model for others.”
—RACHEL T. HARE-MUSTIN, diplomate in clinical psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology, and coauthor, Making a Difference: Psychology and the Construction of Gender

“This book is a frank and insightful assessment of the unacknowledged culture and moral values that pervade modern psychotherapy practice and theory. This book not only diagnoses the problem but offers us an ‘interpretive psychology’ as a thought-provoking treatment.”
—BRENT D. SLIFE, professor of psychology, Brigham Young University, and author, What???s Behind the Research? Discovering Hidden Assumptions in the Behavioral Sciences