Chaos and Complexity in Psychology: The Theory of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1107680263 ISBN 13: 9781107680265

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

While many books have discussed methodological advances in nonlinear dynamical systems theory (NDS), this volume is unique in its focus on NDS's role in the development of psychological theory. After an introductory chapter covering the fundamentals of chaos, complexity, and other nonlinear dynamics, subsequent chapters provide in-depth coverage of each of the specific topic areas in psychology. A concluding chapter takes stock of the field as a whole, evaluating important challenges for the immediate future. The chapters are written by experts in the use of NDS in each of their respective areas, including biological, cognitive, developmental, social, organizational, and clinical psychology. Each chapter provides an in-depth examination of theoretical foundations and specific applications and a review of relevant methods. This edited collection represents the state of the art in NDS science across the disciplines of psychology.

About this title

Book Description

Nonlinear dynamical systems (NDS) theory is the study of how complex processes unfold over time and is sometimes known as chaos theory or complexity theory. This book reports recent landmark developments and the state of the art in NDS science in psychological theory and research. The introductory chapter covers the basic principles of the NDS and how they relate. Subsequent chapters provide in-depth coverage of areas including neuroscience, psychophysics, sensation, perception, cognition, and developmental, social, organizational, and clinical psychology. The concluding chapter takes stock of the field as a whole.

About the Author

Stephen J. Guastello is Professor of Psychology at Marquette University, where his teaching and research specialize in industrial-organizational psychology, human factors engineering and ergonomics, and statistics. He is the author of Chaos, Catastrophe, and Human Affairs, Managing Emergent Phenomena, and Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics and is the founding editor of the journal Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences.

Matthijs Koopmans is an officer of educational research and evaluation at the Academy for Educational Development, Center for School and Community Services in New York. He has published papers in the journal Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences and served as president of the Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology and Life Sciences from 2005 to 2007.

David Pincus is an Assistant Professor in the psychology department at Chapman University, California, where his teaching, clinical and research interests focus on applications of nonlinear dynamical systems theory to understanding interpersonal processes underlying healthy exchanges of information. He is the author of Guided Imagery for Pain Management and is co-executive producer and writer of - and appears in - Life Right for Kids, a video-based program aimed at helping families address child weight-management.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1107680263
• ISBN 13: 9781107680265
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 552
• Editor: Guastello Stephen J., Koopmans Matthijs, Pincus David