Theoretical Issues in Psychology

`As will be evident, this is a wide conspectus in textbook mode (cited authors are frequently characterized and ascribed dates). The treatment is generally clear and up-to-date. It is eclectic with a welcome inclusion of European as well as American authors.... Positive features are the introductions to and summaries of sections; and the glossary (which will certainly be found useful by students). The English is virtually impeccable.... The book is similar in scope to Bechtel's Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of Science, and my own Conceptual Issues in Psychology, being more comprehensive and less partisan than Bechtel, and more philosophical and less psychological than Valentine. I am in a particularly good position to appreciate Bem and Looren de Jong's achievement and I salute them' - History and Philosophy of Psychology Newsletter

This major new textbook provides a clear and comprehensive guide to the theoretical issues at the heart of contemporary psychology. The authors have organized the text around two key questions: What is science, and to what extent does psychology exemplify scientific characteristics? What is `the mind', and what do philosophy and psychology have to say about its nature?

Exploring problems raised by philosophy, psychology and cognitive science, the authors guide the reader through the major topics in these fields, including reductionism, functionalism, relativism and the nature of consciousness. Significant figures in the philosophy of science (including Popper, Kuhn and Lakatos) as well as in the sociology and psychology of science are also introduced.