Psychology and Postmodernism

This groundbreaking book is the first to explore the implications of postmodernist ideas for psychology. It examines central themes of postmodernism as they relate to psychology - for example, the nature of the self, locally situated rather than universal knowledge and the pivotal role of language in social life.

The contributors outline the new possibilities for psychology, setting theoretical reformulations alongside implications for psychological practice and method. The book presents critique as well as support for postmodern perspectives, from feminist critique of postmodern 'deconstruction' to argument with the usefulness of sharp distinctions between a 'modern' and 'postmodern' psychology.

Steinar Kvale is Professor of Educational Psychology and Director of the Centre of Qualitative Research at the University of Aarhus, and adjunct faculty at Saybrook Institute, San Fransisco. He was born in Norway and and graduated from the University of Oslo. He continued his studies at the University of Heidelberg with an Alexander von Humboldt scholarship, and has been a visiting professor at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and West Georgia University, Carrolton, and the University of Bergen. His long-term concern has been with the implications of such continental philosophies as phenomenology, hermeneutics, and dialectics for psychology and education. He has studied examinations and grading, and is the author of Prüfung und Herrschaft (1972). He has edited Issues of Validity in Qualitative Research (1989) and Psychology and Postmodernism (1992). Together with Klaus Nielsen he has edited Mesterlære - Læring som social praksis (Apprenticeship – Learning as Social Practice, 1999) and Praktikkens læringslandskab – At lære gennem arbejde (The learning landscape of practice – Learning through work, 2003)