What′s Behind the Research?: Discovering Hidden Assumptions in the Behavioral Sciences - Softcover

Slife, Brent D.; Williams, Richard N.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0803958633 ISBN 13: 9780803958630

Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc, 1995

Synopsis

This volume encourages students to engage in critical thinking by exploring the main assumptions upon which behavioral science theories are based and offering some alternatives to these assumptions. The text begins with a review and critique of the major theoretical approaches: psychoanalysis, behaviorism, humanism, cognitivism, eclecticism, structuralism and postmodernism. The authors then discuss the key assumptions underlying these theories - knowing, determinism, reductionism and science. They trace the intellectual history of these assumptions and offer contrasting options. The book concludes by examining ways of coming to terms with some of the inadequacies in the assumptions of the behavioral sciences.

About this title

About the Author:

Richard N. Williams is founding Director of the Wheatley Institution. From 2001 through 2008, he served as an Associate Academic Vice President for Faculty and Professor in the department of Psychology at Brigham Young University. His specialty areas include the philosophical, theoretical and historical foundations of psychology, with concentration on issues related to human agency, as well the science of psychology and research methods and statistics. Williams has authored, co-authored, or edited numerous journal, articles, and books. He has been a visiting faculty member at Duquesne University and at Georgetown University. He holds an M.S. and Ph.D. from Purdue University in Psychological Science and is a summa cum laude graduate of Brigham Young University. Williams and his wife Camille have 5 children and 18 grandchildren. Click here to see a full professional curriculum vitae.

About this edition

• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0803958633
• ISBN 13: 9780803958630
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264