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This fully updated fourth edition of Gergen s An Invitation to Social Construction introduces you to a key theoretical movement in contemporary social science through a wide range of multidisciplinary examples.
The fourth edition includes:
- wider consideration of contemporary global challenges,
- increased coverage of media, digital culture, and relevant political issues,
- updated real-world examples of social constructionist theory in action, in research, education, therapy, organizations, and peace building.
This book brings together complex theories that inform and critically build upon social constructionism, such as narratology, deconstruction, dialogism, positivism, and post-structuralism, in a way that is accessible for students and researchers alike. It is a vital resource for those studying social psychology and critical social psychology who are looking for a comprehensive guide to one of the core topics in the field.
Kenneth J Gergen is Senior Research Professor in Psychology at Swarthmore College, and the President of the Taos Institute.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Social Construction and Plural Worlds
Chapter 2: The Language We Live By
Chapter 3: Horizons of Human Inquiry
Chapter 4: The Relational Turn
Chapter 5: Dialogue: Conflict and Transformation
Chapter 6: Education: The Future is Now
Chapter 7: The Helping Professions: Co-Construction in Action
Chapter 8: Co-Creating in Organizations and Governance
Chapter 9: Social Construction: Questions and Consequences
About the author
Kenneth J. Gergen is a Senior Research Professor in Psychology at Swarthmore College, and the President of the Taos Institute. He is internationally known for his contributions to social constructionist theory, technology and cultural change, the self, aging, education, and relational theory and practices. His major writings include, Realities and Relationships: Soundings in Social Construction, The Saturated Self: Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life, and Relational Being: Beyond Self and Community. His most recent work Beyond the Tyranny of Testing: Relational Evaluation in Education (with Scherto Gill) offers a relational constructionist alternative to the destructive practices of testing and grading in education. Gergen lectures throughout the world, and has received numerous awards for his work, including honorary degrees in both the U.S. and Europe.
Summary
This book uses real-world examples to bring together complex theories that are foundational to, and sometimes critical of, social constructionism in a way that is highly approachable for social sciences students.
