Chaos theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences

Chaos theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences
Author: Robin Robertson
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 414
Release: 2014-07-10
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1317780086

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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 and the Life Sciences

Chaos theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences
Author: Robin Robertson
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 571
Release: 2014-07-10
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1317780078

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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.

Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences

Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
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ISBN:

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Features the Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences (SCPLS), based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Posts the Society's purpose statement, a call for annual meeting papers, Society publications, and membership information. Discusses upcoming meetings and conferences and offers general information on chaos, nonlinear dynamics, and complexity. Provides access to related journals and resources on the WWW.

Chaos and Complexity in Psychology

Chaos and Complexity in Psychology
Author: Stephen J. Guastello
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 1020
Release: 2008-11-10
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1139867261

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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.

Chaos Theory in Psychology

Chaos Theory in Psychology
Author: Fred Abraham
Publisher: Praeger
Total Pages: 410
Release: 1995-04-25
Genre: Psychology
ISBN:

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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 Life

Chaos and Life
Author: Richard J. Bird
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 335
Release: 2003-11-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0231501552

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Why, in a scientific age, do people routinely turn to astrologers, mediums, cultists, and every kind of irrational practitioner rather than to science to meet their spiritual needs? The answer, according to Richard J. Bird, is that science, especially biology, has embraced a view of life that renders meaningless the coincidences, serendipities, and other seemingly significant occurrences that fill people's everyday existence. Evolutionary biology rests on the assumption that although events are fundamentally random, some are selected because they are better adapted than others to the surrounding world. This book proposes an alternative view of evolving complexity. Bird argues that randomness means not disorder but infinite order. Complexity arises not from many random events of natural selection (although these are not unimportant) but from the "playing out" of chaotic systems—which are best described mathematically. When we properly understand the complex interplay of chaos and life, Bird contends, we will see that many events that appear random are actually the outcome of order.

Indra's Net

Indra's Net
Author: Robin Robertson
Publisher: Quest Books
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2014-05-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0835631044

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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.

Seven Life Lessons of Chaos

Seven Life Lessons of Chaos
Author: John Briggs
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 278
Release: 2009-05-22
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 0061930733

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If you have ever felt your life was out of control and headed toward chaos,science has an important message: Life is chaos, and that's a very exciting thing! In this eye-opening book, John Briggs and F. David Peat reveal sevenenlightening lessons for embracing the chaos of daily life. Be Creative: engage with chaos to find imaginative new solutions and live more dynamically Use Butterfly Power: let chaos grow local efforts into global results Go With the Flow: use chaos to work collectively with others Explore What's Between: discover life's rich subtleties and avoid the traps of stereotypes See the Art of the World: appreciate the beauty of life's chaos Live Within Time: utilize time's hidden depths Rejoin the Whole: realize our fractal connectedness to each other and the world Life is impossible to control--instead of fighting this truth, Seven Life Lessons of Chaos shows you how to accept, celebrate, and use it to live life to its fullest.

Chaos And Complexity

Chaos And Complexity
Author: Michael R. Butz
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 310
Release: 1997-09-29
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9781560324195

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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.

Clinical Chaos

Clinical Chaos
Author: Linda Chamberlain
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2016-01-28
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1317714768

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Psychology and the social sciences are in need of a new foundation, one that provides a better model for understanding complex behavior. Chaos theory and its newest permutation, complexity theory, offers an innovative, exciting and potentially revolutionary leap forward in the evolution of scientific thought. In Clinical Chaos, therapists and theoreticians from various areas in the social sciences will explore the relevance and implications for non-linear dynamics in observing, explaining, and understanding human behavior. At last, the scientific search can again encompass surprise, transformation, unpredictability, and pattern. This book is intended to introduce social scientists to chaos through paths that are already familiar. By linking chaos theory with existing psychological theories and established areas of clinical pursuit, Clinical Chaos emphasizes the relevance of this new science in providing a more flexible useful model for complexities of life.