A New Unified Theory of Psychology [Hardcover]

Concern about psychologys fragmentation is not new, but there has for the past decade been increasing calls for psychologists to acknowledge to the costs associated with fragmentation and to search for ways to unify the discipline.

A New Unified Theory of Psychology introduces a new system that addresses psychologys current theoretical and philosophical difficulties. The new theory consists of four interlocking pieces that together providefor the first timea macro-level view that clarifies the nature of psychologys problems and offers a clear way to unify the various elements of the field. The unified theory provides the field of psychology with a well-defined subject matter, allowing both academic and professional psychologists will be able to develop a shared language and conceptual foundation.

With grand, inclusive theories of psychology such as Freuds now largely discredited, psychological enquiry is focused more narrowly and empirically. This book aims to change the status quo and offer a new, redefining and unified theory of psychology.

I.-Introduction and Background.-From Racing Horses to Seeing the Elephant.-The Problem of Psychology.-The Tree of Knowledge System.-Behavioral Investment Theory.-The Influence Matrix.-The Justification Hypothesis.-II.Applying the Unified Theory to Psychotherapy and Psychological Phenomena.-Unifying Psychotherapy.-Depression as a State of Behavioral Shutdown.-A Conceptual Map of Well-Being.-Integrating Perspectives on Intimate Partner Violence.-III.Conclusion.-Toward the 5th Joint Point.

From the reviews:

...the author takes on the extremely ambitious challenge of defining psychology, articulating conceptually its relations with other sciences, identifying its key theoretical principles, and resolving its various schisms (research/practice, neuroscience/social science, animal/human, bewildering lã-