The psychobiographer's handbook : a practical guide to research and ethics / Joseph G. Ponterotto.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ponterotto, Joseph G., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Psychology--Biographical methods.

Psychology.

Biography--Psychological aspects.

Biography.

Psychohistory.

Psychology--methods.

Medical Subjects:

Psychology--methods.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 399 pages)

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, [2025]

Summary:

"A comprehensive and practical guide on conducting rigorous, ethical, and impactful psychobiographical research. Psychobiography is the intensive psychological study of an individual within their unique socio-cultural-historic context. This engaging and exciting approach challenges researchers to apply psychological theories and knowledge of history to understand the inner emotional life of a particular person, usually a prominent historical figure. This book is intended for a broad audience, inclusive of advanced undergraduate and graduate students, new professionals in psychology, and seasoned and experienced psychobiographers. This book guides the reader through all the steps of the psychobiography process: planning a psychobiographical study, choosing an appropriate subject of historic significance, setting the major research questions, engaging the data collection and research process, attending to ethical considerations, interpreting and writing up the psychobiography, and presenting and publishing the study for a broad audience. The book is organized along two major parts and 14 chapters. Part I defines psychobiography, locates this specialty in the broader psychology profession, reviews its history and evolution from antiquity to the present, and outlines its current status and likely trends for the next decade. Part I also provides the methodological and ethical foundations central to psychobiographical study. Part II covers the nuts and bolts of conducting and writing up a psychobiography. The book also includes a chapter on psychobiographer self-care, given the challenges, emotional involvement, and reader reactions that often go into this research endeavor. It concludes with a brief epilogue highlighting the top 10 characteristics of a strong psychobiography." --Preface (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Contents:

Introduction: The Evolving Journey of Psychobiography

Defining the Field of Psychobiography

Historical Perspectives in Psychobiography

Current Status and Emerging Trends in Psychobiography

Research Paradigms and Inquiry Approaches

The Psychobiographer's "Relationship" and Positionality to the Historic Subject

The Psychobiographical Subject in Socio-Cultural-Historic Context

Ethical and Legal Issues in Psychobiography

Ethical Best Practices: A Checklist and Decision-Making Model

Overview of the Process and Steps of Psychobiographical Research

Selecting a Subject, Deciding Whether to Work With a Team, and Establishing Initial Research Goals

Choosing and Using a Psychological Theory to Guide Your Analysis

Engaging the Research: Locating, Evaluating, and Integrating Data on Your Subject

Writing and Disseminating the Psychobiographical Report

Psychobiographer Self-Care

Epilogue: Top 10 Characteristics of a Strong Psychobiography.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Electronic reproduction. Washington, D.C. : American Psychological Association, 2025.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

Other Format:

Print version: Psychobiographer's handbook

ISBN:

9781433837975

1433837978

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.