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Psychology Research & Methodology

Psychology and the Liberal Consensus

by (author) Charles Anderson & L. Travis

Publisher
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Initial publish date
Nov 1983
Category
Research & Methodology, Methodology, Education & Training
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781554584383
    Publish Date
    Nov 1983
    List Price
    $32.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780889208995
    Publish Date
    Jan 2006
    List Price
    $32.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Out of print

This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.

Description

This volume presents a carefully reasoned, rigorous critique of mainline academic psychology. From the professional beginnings of their discipline, contend the authors, American psychologists have made two promises: that psychology would be treated as a natural science and that its application to social—mainly educational—reform would be as effective as that of the more physical sciences to technological change. Underlying these promises is the “liberal consensus,” the belief that social problems are to be solved by improvements in educational methods. Put to the test during the affluence of the 1950s and 1960s—the years of the liberal consensus—these promises were never kept, maintain the authors. Their provocative study provides a variety of reasons why the goal was unattained, and is even unattainable.

The book will be of interest to psychologists, sociologists, professional educators, and students of social change.

About the authors

Rolli (aka Charles Anderson) is an author/illustrator hailing from Saskatchewan, Canada. His work has appeared in literary magazines across North America--Quarterly West, The New Quarterly, subTerrain, The Antigonish Review, Grain, Byline, Stickman Review, Feathertale Review, and many others. Rolli was the recipient of the 2007 John Kenneth Galbraith Literary Award; and as a winner of the 2008/2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition, his work has been broadcast in over 30 countries.

Charles Anderson's profile page

LeRoy D. Travis, Department of Educational Psychology, University of British Columbia, has published professional papers on memory development, personality, and educational psychology.

L. Travis' profile page