Putting Psychology in its Place
Critical Historical Perspectives
📘 About This Book
1. Four new chapters: key influencers in psychology from a non-scientific background, the interaction of psychology the visual arts and music, the social life of psychological knowledge, and an examination of the internationalization of psychology. 2. Addition of a new co-author, Paul Stenner, who has a great international reputation and has written extensively in the field. 3. Contains a new list of recommended web-resources.
📖 Summary
Putting Psychology in its Place by Graham Richards, alongside new co-author Paul Stenner, offers a sweeping and critically engaged exploration of the discipline of psychology, spanning an expansive 590 pages. Published in 2022, this substantial volume re-evaluates how psychology has historically positioned itself, how it interacts with the broader world, and how its concepts permeate everyday human culture. Rather than treating psychology as an isolated, purely objective science operating in a vacuum, the authors situate the discipline firmly within historical, social, and cultural contexts. The book investigates the complex web of influences that shape psychological thought, challenging readers to think deeply about the boundaries and definitions that traditionally govern the field. A significant portion of the work is dedicated to entirely new material, including four vital chapters that broaden the scope of inquiry. One of these new chapters focuses on key influencers in psychology who emerged from non-scientific backgrounds, demonstrating how artists, philosophers, and cultural figures have profoundly shaped our understanding of the mind. Another major addition explores the rich, dynamic interaction between psychology, the visual arts, and music, illustrating how creative expression mirrors and informs psychological theories. Furthermore, the text examines the social life of psychological knowledge, looking at how psychological ideas travel, mutate, and influence society at large rather than remaining confined to academic journals and clinical settings. The internationalization of psychology is also thoroughly examined, acknowledging how cultural differences and global dynamics affect the practice and theory of the discipline across different regions of the world. The collaboration with Paul Stenner, an internationally renowned scholar with extensive writing in the field, brings an enriched perspective and deeper academic rigor to these explorations. In addition to these thematic expansions, the book provides practical, modern learning aids, including an updated list of recommended web-resources to guide readers in further independent research. Altogether, Putting Psychology in its Place serves as an indispensable resource for anyone looking to understand the multifaceted nature of psychological inquiry, moving beyond standard textbook narratives to offer a deeply contextualized, critical, and culturally rich appreciation of the science of the mind and its place in human society.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Broadens the conventional scope of psychology by integrating art, music, and social history.
Features valuable new chapters and insights from co-author Paul Stenner.
Provides a comprehensive page count of 590 pages filled with deep critical analysis.
Includes updated web-resources for further independent study and research.
⚠️ Cons
The extensive length and dense academic nature may prove challenging for casual readers.
Focuses heavily on historical and theoretical contextualization rather than clinical application.
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Putting Psychology in its Place? +
The book is written by Graham Richards with new co-author Paul Stenner.
When was this edition published? +
This edition was published in 2022.
How many pages does the book contain? +
The book contains 590 pages.
What are some of the new topics covered in this edition? +
New topics include non-scientific influencers, psychology in the visual arts and music, the social life of psychological knowledge, and the internationalization of psychology.
Does the book include digital learning resources? +
Yes, it contains a newly updated list of recommended web-resources.
