Transforming psychology : gender in theory and practice / Stephanie Riger.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Riger, Stephanie.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Feminist psychology.

Physical Description:

x, 217 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2000.

Summary:

Over the last two decades, a rich, diverse, yet sometimes contradictory body of research has been gathered under the general rubric of "psychology of women." This burgeoning literature represents several disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, sociology, political science, and women's studies. To bring sense to this agglomeration of views, for the layperson, academic, and student, Riger looks at research in this area as a social process and challenges the notion that science can be objective about its search for universal truths.

Contesting both traditional and feminist psychology, Transforming Psychology examines how we can create knowledge once we are aware of the distortions of traditional approaches. Research methods in psychology have not produced a value-free, objective science. Often, traditional knowledge in psychology has omitted or distorted women's experience. Once we recognize bias in psychology, how do we research? In our research, how do we take into account the shaping power of the social and historical contexts that guide people's actions? At the same time, how do we create new ways of knowing that view those we study as subjects, actively creating their realities? Although deeply informed by feminist challenges to psychology, Transforming Psychology also questions feminist beliefs. It disputes feminist distinctions between sex (i.e., biology) and gender (i.e., culture), and contests the existence of a uniquely "feminist" methodology.

Throughout this landmark work, Riger reveals how interpretive frameworks shape how we view research findings. By challenging us to transform psychology so that it fully takes into account women and gender, and by questioning deeply rooted disciplinary views, this volume is a powerful explication of theories and methods in psychology in the context of issues ranging from research methods to welfare reform.

Contents:

Part I Knowing Gender

2 Epistemological Debates, Feminist Voices: Science, Social Values, and the Study of Women 7

3 Rethinking the Distinction between Sex and Gender 23

4 From Snapshots to Videotape: New Directions in Research on Gender Differences 39

5 Women's Agency in Context 52

6 Working Together: Challenges in Collaborative Research on Violence against Women 59

7 Ways of Knowing and Community Research 72

Part II Gender, Policies, and Practices

8 Gender Dilemmas in Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures 83

9 What's Wrong with Empowerment 97

10 Women in Management: An Exploration of Competing Paradigms 107

11 Low-Paying Jobs for Women: By Discrimination or by Choice? 119

12 Challenges of Success: Stages of Growth in Feminist Organizations 124

13 The Impact of Welfare Reform on Men's Violence against Women 145.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 157-210) and indexes.

ISBN:

0195074661

OCLC:

42397313