Dedication

Oxford University Press eBooks, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. v - vi

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2024

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Why Might a Psychobiography Go Wrong?

Oxford University Press eBooks, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. 244 - 248

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2024

Abstract This chapter provides a short summary of the book and does so in an unusual way. It imagines that poor psychobiography was written about book’s author. The explores what might have gone wrong with study and, process, describes reasons why fail. research may been inadequate. imagined author idealized or loathed subject psychobiography. That misused psychological theory, perhaps by foisting dogmatic theory onto subject’s life, had little understanding cultural surround. skill at analyzing person’s inner due to lacking empathy mindedness. Although obstacles writing sound exist, there are strategies for overcoming those obstacles.

Язык: Английский

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Research, the Foundation of Psychobiography

Oxford University Press eBooks, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. 16 - 36

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2024

Abstract Research is the basis of psychobiography; a work cannot be better than information on which it rests. Materials such as letters, diaries, and interviews with subject about are invaluable. Authors who limit themselves to easily accessible published materials will not do well authors enterprising in obtaining evidence their subjects. One example Leon Edel scouring archives studying novelist Henry James. Another Joseph Ponterotto, who, writing chess champion, Bobby Fischer, managed interview Fischer’s sister’s husband study thick FBI file mother. This chapter provides several examples research experiences psychobiographical authors, including Doris Kearns Goodwin Lyndon Baines Johnson, Sigmund Freud Leonardo da Vinci, Deirdre Bair Simone de Beauvoir, James Anderson William Woodrow Wilson.

Язык: Английский

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Analysis and Interpretation in Psychobiography

Oxford University Press eBooks, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. 168 - 187

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2024

Abstract The ultimate challenge for psychobiographers, once they have gathered information about the subject and guidelines in mind, is to analyze their subjects. There are some interpretative schemes can draw on. best-known one Irving Alexander’s “identifiers of salience,” which Amy Demorest, who has done research on identifiers, explains this chapter. For subjects, it be helpful identify a “prototypical scene,” an important memory that central person’s sense self life experience. also general criteria, developed by William Runyan, determining explanations better than others. chapter describes approach psychobiographers use called “multiplex analysis” results creating explanatory structure interacting, reinforcing whole. Examples using Leon Edel studying Henry James Ruthellen Josselson Carol Gilligan.

Язык: Английский

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Use Psychological Theory, Don’t Let It Use You

Oxford University Press eBooks, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown, С. 109 - 136

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2024

Abstract Foisting a psychological theory onto the subject of psychobiography is fatal mistake. Instead, should open up, not close down; provide new questions, easy answers; complicate, simplify; generate possibilities, reductions. No one be thought as exclusive way understanding subject. William James noted, “[N]either whole truth nor good revealed to any single observer, although each observer gains partial superiority insight from particular position in which he [or she] stands.” Hence psychobiographers can draw fertile concepts body and use them information about seems indicate their applicability. A trap psychiatric diagnosis because it simplifies people when we want gain access complexity. Individuals looked at this chapter include Gandhi, Lincoln, Ingmar Bergman, anti-Apartheid activists Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu Ruth Heloise First.

Язык: Английский

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