Chaos and Complexity in Psychology: The Theory of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

Cambridge University Press
Edition: Reprint, 12/22/2011
EAN 9781107680265, ISBN10: 1107680263

Paperback, 552 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 3.2 cm
Language: English

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.

1. Introduction to nonlinear dynamics and complexity Stephen J. Guastello and Larry S. Liebovitch
2. Collective intelligence
observations and models William Sulis
3. Neurodynamics and electro-cortical activity Tullio Minelli
4. Psychophysics Robert A. M. Gregson
5. Temporal patterns in perceptual behavior
implications for dynamics structure D. J. Aks
6. Embodied and embedded
the dynamics of extracting perceptual visual invariants Patrice Renaud, Sylvain Chartier and Guillaume Albert
7. Origins of order in cognitive activity Geoff Hollis, Heidi Kloos and Guy C. Van Orden
8. Nonlinear dynamical systems in developmental psychology Paul van Geert
9. Developmental psychopathology
maladaptive and adaptive attractors in children's close relationships Erika S. Lunkenheimer and Thomas J. Dishion
10. Psychopathology
a nonlinear systems view Wolfgang Tschacher and Uli Junghan
11. Coherence, complexity, and information flow
self-organizing processes in psychotherapy David Pincus
12. The dynamics of human experience
fundamentals of dynamical social psychology Robin R. Vallacher and Andrej Nowak
13. Group dynamics
adaptation, coordination, and the emergence of leaders Stephen J. Guastello
14. Organizational psychology Kevin Dooley
15. Complexity, evolution and organizational behavior Peter Allen
16. Agent-based modeling and dynamic network analysis Terrill Frantz and Kathleen Carley
17. Epilogue
psychology at the edge of chaos Matthjs Koopmans.

Advance praise: 'Just as did Henri Bergson's L'Evolution Créatrice in 1907, James Gleick's Chaos in 1987 crystallized a community of concern for nonlinear dynamic systems. Major progress thereafter is documented in this collection of essays. The term 'nonlinear' designates any departure from the bedrock of human experience in linear causality and expresses the fact that, while there is neither a single nonlinear science, nor can there be, there is mutual enrichment. The fundamental insight endures, that given the right initial conditions, order emerges from disorder in defiance of the laws of thermodynamics. These chapters provide a new set of initial conditions for the growth of shared knowledge and competence among scholars addressing 'NDS' in psychology.' Walter J. Freeman, University of California, Berkeley