Chaos theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences


Book Description

This book represents the best of the first three years of the Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology conferences. While chaos theory has been a topic of considerable interest in the physical and biological sciences, its applications in psychology and related fields have been obscured until recently by its complexity. Nevertheless, a small but rapidly growing community of psychologists, neurobiologists, sociologists, mathematicians, and philosophers have been coming together to discuss its implications and explore its research possibilities. Chaos theory has been termed the first authentic paradigm shift since the advent of quantum physics. Whether this is true or not, it unquestionably bears profound implications for many fields of thought. These include the cognitive analysis of the mind, the nature of personality, the dynamics of psychotherapy and counseling, understanding brain events and behavioral records, the dynamics of social organization, and the psychology of prediction. To each of these topics, chaos theory brings the perspective of dynamic self-organizing processes of exquisite complexity. Behavior, the nervous system, and social processes exhibit many of the classical characteristics of chaotic systems -- they are deterministic and globally predictable and yet do not submit to precise predictability. This volume is the first to explore ideas from chaos theory in a broad, psychological perspective. Its introduction, by the prominent neuroscientist Walter Freeman, sets the tone for diverse discussions of the role of chaos theory in behavioral research, the study of personality, psychotherapy and counseling, mathematical cognitive psychology, social organization, systems philosophy, and the understanding of the brain.




Chaos Theory in Psychology


Book Description

This is a collection on the uses of chaos theory in the whole field of psychology including: theory; experimental perception; neurophysiology; clinical, organisational, social, personality, research, therapy and literature analysis; educational, developmental and gender issues; and more.




Chaos And Complexity


Book Description

The nature of this book is to emphasize the inherent complexity and richness of the human experience of change. Now, the author believes there to be an acceptable "scientific" explanation for this phenomona. Explored here are 30 years of studies to describe nonlinear dynamics, today termed either chaos theory or complexity theory. The connotations of both theories are discussed at length. Offering social scientists validation in their attempts to describe and define phenomona of a previously ineffable nature, this book explores chaos' implications for psychology and the social sciences. It describes the benefits psychology can glean from using ideas in chaos theory and applying them to psychology in general, individual psycho-therapy, couples therapy, and community psychology, and also considers possible directions for research and application.




Chaos and Complexity in Psychology


Book Description

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.




The Chaos Theory of Careers


Book Description

The Chaos Theory of Careers outlines the application of chaos theory to the field of career development. It draws together and extends the work that the authors have been doing over the last 8 to 10 years. This text represents a new perspective on the nature of career development. It emphasizes the dimensions of careers frequently neglected by contemporary accounts of careers such as the challenges and opportunities of uncertainty, the interconnectedness of current life and the potential for information overload, career wisdom as a response to unplanned change, new approaches to vocational assessment based on emergent thinking, the place of spirituality and the search for meaning and purpose in, with and through work, the integration of being and becoming as dimensions of career development. It will be vital reading for all those working in and studying career development, either at advanced undergraduate or postgraduate level and provides a new and refreshing approach to this fast changing subject. Key themes include: Factors such as complexity, change, and contribution People's aspirations in relation to work and personal fulfilment Contemporary realities of career choice, career development and the working world




The Psychological Meaning of Chaos


Book Description

Annotation The Psychological Meaning of Chaos: Translating Theory Into Practice introduces practicing psychologists to the concepts, implications, and applications of the chaos theories that have revolutionized scientists' concept of the physical world over the past 30 years. This new way of seeing - variously called chaos, nonlinear dynamical systems theory, deterministic chaos, and the broader sciences of complexity - stands in sharp contrast to the linear, reductionistic models that have dominated most psychological thinking. In this new model, unpredictability and instability are accepted as intrinsic to complex systems and essential in any transformative process. Chaos is seen as a healthy and essential part of the creation process, without which new order is impossible. The implications of this new model of systems dynamics for understanding the human change process are enormous. In this book, group and family therapists, developmentalists, and researchers describe the impact that chaos and complexitytheories have on their understanding of human change and their work to promote it. Chaos theory represents the greatest challenge to scientific thinking in this century. It has great potential for psychology, because it offers a model for complex behavior that resonates more closely with psychologists' understanding of the vicissitudes of human change.




Indra's Net


Book Description

In this clear, engaging book, Robin Robertson draws parallels between alchemy and chaos theory and shows how to apply them to our inner development. He is not proposing they replace traditional spiritual paths, but rather that they reflect deep structures in the psyche that any inner journey awakens. The model they provide necessarily underlies all paths of spiritual transformation and describes a framework for the stages through which any seeker goes. No matter what your particular calling, these insights enrich understanding of the transformative process, whether outside in the world, or within your life.




Chaos and Order in the World of the Psyche


Book Description

‘I don’t know what’s the matter with me – everything’s upside down; the whole world seems chaotic’ Chaos may erupt in our lives in many different ways – through death, divorce, conflict with family, friends or colleagues. It is a frightening and negative experience, destabilizing the individual and provoking feelings of insecurity. Originally published in English in 1992, the author, through her work as a Jungian analyst, frequently acted as a companion, support and guide to those whose lives were in chaotic turmoil. She describes how therapy helps people to meet chaos, to accept and see it in a different way – as a starting point for a new kind of order in their lives. This ‘organic’ order is better suited to their own personal needs and personality and provides the strong and flexible basis necessary to meet the chaos that belongs to life. Drawing upon the myths, tales and rites of ancient cultures, upon modern chaos theory, and upon her experience as an analyst the author shows the way through the chaos to a fuller, happier and more satisfying life.




Putting A New Spin on Groups


Book Description

Putting a New Spin on Groups: The Science of Chaos, Second Edition continues to challenge orthodoxy and static ideas about small group dynamics. A primary goal is to offer an alternative model of group development that addresses three factors: *The model integrates old ideas from previous models of group development with new concepts from chaos theory and the work of Arthur Young. *The book emphasizes the importance of conflict in group development and recognizes that group growth--while progressive--is neither linear or unidimensional. *Particular attention is focused on how groups change, evolve, and mature. In addition, this book highlights certain group phenomena that have been given only cursory attention in many group textbooks, including women in authority, group metaphors, regressive groups, and the transpersonal potential of small groups. This book has been revised in response to feedback from reviewers and colleagues and includes new ideas, applications of chaos theory in social sciences, and thinking about group behavior. It is an intellectually challenging read with just the right amount of world application.




Law, Psychology, and Justice


Book Description

A provocative critique of the relationship between the legal system and psychology that uses chaos theory to offer a more humane alternative.