Exploring the Complexities of Human Action offers a bold theoretical framework for thinking systematically and integratively about what people do as they go about their lives. Raeff sets the stage for conceptualizing human action by first constructively questioning some conventional practices and assumptions in psychology, such as fragmenting, aggregating, and objectifying. She then articulates an alternative systems conceptualization of action that emphasizes multiple and interrelated processes, and characterizes human action in terms of the complexities of holism, dynamics, variability, and multi-causality. The book also applies this theoretical framework to varied human issues, including mind-body connections, art, diversity, extremism, and freedom. This approach provides a vision of humanity that promotes complex and empathic understanding of human beings that can bring people together to pursue common goals.

About the Author
Catherine Raeff is Professor of Psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her publications include the books Always Separate, Always Connected: Independence and Interdependence in Cultural Contexts of Development and Exploring the Dynamics of Human Development: An Integrative Approach.

Reviews
Human action is famously anything but simple, a situation made abundantly clear by Raeff in this ambitious, scholarly, and introspective work... Worth remarking are two chapters in part 3 delivering, arguably, the core of Raeff's message: "Evidence and Research Implications" (chapter 11), and "Complex and Empathic Understanding" (the final chapter, 13). These chapters alone should entice the philosophically inclined to explore this interesting work, a must-read for scholars of action theory and research. * R. E. Osborne, CHOICE *



Book Information
ISBN 9780190050436
Author Catherine Raeff
Format Hardback
Page Count 456
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 771g
Dimensions(mm) 157mm * 239mm * 38mm