Introduction to Ecological Psychology

Introduction to Ecological Psychology is a highly accessible book that offers an overview of the fundamental theoretical foundations of Ecological Psychology. The authors provide a broad coverage of the topic, including discussion of perception-action as well as cognition, social interaction, and application to real world problems.

Introduction to Ecological Psychology is a highly accessible book that offers an overview of the fundamental theoretical foundations of Ecological Psychology. The authors, Julia J.C. Blau and Jeffrey B. Wagman, provide a broad coverage of the topic, including discussion of perception-action as well as development, cognition, social interaction, and application to real world problems.

Concepts are presented in the book using a conversational writing style and everyday examples that introduce novice readers to the problems of perception and action and demonstrate the application of the ecological approach theories to broader philosophical questions. Blau and Wagman explain how ecological psychology might be pertinent to both classic and newer issues in psychology. The authors move beyond the traditional scope of the discipline to effectively illustrate concepts of dynamics, evolution, self-organization, and physical intelligence in ecological psychology.

This book is an essential guide to the basics for students and professionals in ecological psychology, sensation and perception, cognition, and development. It is also indispensable reading for anyone interested in ecological and developmental studies.

Autorentext

Julia J. C. Blau is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, USA. Her research focuses on the fractality of event perception, as well as the Ecological approach to film theory and aesthetics. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society for Ecological Psychology.

Jeffrey B. Wagman is a Professor of Psychology at Illinois State University, USA. His research focuses on perception of affordances and perception by touch. He is a recipient of the Illinois State University Outstanding University Researcher Award and a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Invitation Fellowship for Research in Japan. He is an Associate Editor of the journal Ecological Psychology.

Zusammenfassung

Introduction to Ecological Psychology is a highly accessible book that offers an overview of the fundamental theoretical foundations of Ecological Psychology. The authors, Julia J.C. Blau and Jeffrey B. Wagman, provide a broad coverage of the topic, including discussion of perception-action as well as development, cognition, social interaction, and application to real world problems.

Concepts are presented in the book using a conversational writing style and everyday examples that introduce novice readers to the problems of perception and action and demonstrate the application of the ecological approach theories to broader philosophical questions. Blau and Wagman explain how ecological psychology might be pertinent to both classic and newer issues in psychology. The authors move beyond the traditional scope of the discipline to effectively illustrate concepts of dynamics, evolution, self-organization, and physical intelligence in ecological psychology.

This book is an essential guide to the basics for students and professionals in ecological psychology, sensation and perception, cognition, and development. It is also indispensable reading for anyone interested in ecological and developmental studies.

Inhalt

Contents

List of Illustrations

Foreword: Resources for Ecological Psychology

Acknowledgements

Foreword: Introduction to Ecological Psychology, by Claudia Carello

Part One. Introduction to Theory

Chapter 1. Starting the Conversation

Chapter 2. Where We Went Wrong

Chapter 3. Starting Over

Chapter 4. What is Ecological Theory?

Part Two. Reconceptualizing Old Problems in an Ecological Way

Chapter 5. AffordancesWhat is Perceived?

Chapter 6. Ecological Optics and Visual PerceptionGetting Light Into Muscle

Chapter 7. Ecological Acoustics and Auditory PerceptionGetting Sound Into Muscle

Chapter 8. Ecological Haptics and Perception by TouchMuscles as the Medium

Chapter 9. Action and Coordination

Chapter 10. Development of Perceiving and Acting Abilities

Chapter 11. Perceiving and Acting With Others: An Ecological Social Psychology

Chapter 12. Thinking, Learning, and Remembering

Chapter 13. Applications of Ecological Psychology

Part Three. Zooming Out

Chapter 14. Dynamical Systems

Chapter 15. Evolution

Chapter 16. Self-Organization

Chapter 17. Intelligent Life

References

Index