Vivien Burr Books

Person centred psychology developed from the work of Carl Rogers, an American psychotherapist and psychologist, who died in 1987. Over the last 50 years the "Person Centred Approach" (PCA)has become one of the most influential approaches to understanding and helping people. Its theory and philosophy, originally developed in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, has been extended to include applications to education, social and community work and the exploration of interpersonal and international conflict. This book poses a series of everyday questions, such as, What makes us tick? Where do my values come from? How did I become who I am? Why are relationships so important? and then explores each of these issues showing how and why person centred psychology takes an optimistic view of human nature. In the process it also provides some novel ideas to help us explain why people behave in the way they do.

The third edition of this book offers a comprehensive introduction to social constructionism, exploring key debates on knowledge, truth, and reality. It includes updated discussions on psychology, neuroscience, and psychosocial studies, while critically analyzing the theory's strengths and weaknesses. A valuable resource for social science students.

Challenging traditional views, this book presents a fresh perspective on social psychology, proposing that individuals are shaped by their social contexts rather than merely influenced by them. Vivien Burr integrates micro-sociology and contemporary European theories to argue that the social environment is fundamental to the formation of identity. By re-examining concepts like norms and roles, the author establishes a radical new framework for understanding the interplay between individuals and their social worlds, offering a transformative agenda for students in the field.

Introduction to Social Constructionism is a readable and critical account of social constructionism for students new to the field. Focusing on the challenge to psychology that social constructionism poses, Viven Burr examines the notion of 'personality' to illustrate the rejection of essentialism by social constructionists. This questions psychology's traditional understanding of the person. She then shows how the study of language can be used as a focus for our understanding of human behaviour and experience. This is continued by examining 'discourses' and their role in constructing social phenomena, and the relationship between discourse and power. However, the problems associated with these analyses are also clearly outlined.Many people believe that one of the aims of social science should be to bring about social change. Viven Burr analyses what possibilities there might be for change in social constructionist accounts. She also addresses what social constructionism means in practice to research in the social sciences, and includes some guidelines on undertaking discourse analysis.Introduction to Social Constructionism is an invaluable and clear guide for all perplexed students who want to begin to understand this difficult area.

The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between psychology and gender studies, critically assessing how psychological theories and research influence our understanding of key issues like parenting and educational inequalities. It presents complex concepts in an accessible way, making it suitable for readers interested in the impact of psychological perspectives on gender-related topics.