Chaos and Complexity in Psychology
The Theory of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

This book reports recent landmark developments and the state of the art in NDS science in psychological theory and research.

Stephen J. Guastello (Edited by), Matthijs Koopmans (Edited by), David Pincus (Edited by)

9780521887267, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 November 2008

552 pages, 65 b/w illus.
23.4 x 15.9 x 3.1 cm, 0.86 kg

'This is an excellent, very useful book. The editors have assembled a stellar international cast of leaders in nonlinear dynamics and psychology, and the book provides both broad and deep coverage of 'hot' areas of contemporary theory and research. Generous and current reference sections, a well-written introductory chapter, and the rigor of the individual contributions combine to make this book useful as a graduate-level text and as a resource for veterans in the field.' David Schuldberg, University of Montana, Missoula

While many books have discussed methodological advances in nonlinear dynamical systems theory (NDS), this volume is unique in its focus on NDS's role in the development of psychological theory. After an introductory chapter covering the fundamentals of chaos, complexity and other nonlinear dynamics, subsequent chapters provide in-depth coverage of each of the specific topic areas in psychology. A concluding chapter takes stock of the field as a whole, evaluating important challenges for the immediate future. The chapters are written by experts in the use of NDS in each of their respective areas, including biological, cognitive, developmental, social, organizational and clinical psychology. Each chapter provides an in-depth examination of theoretical foundations and specific applications and a review of relevant methods. This edited collection represents the state of the art in NDS science across the disciplines of psychology.

1. Introduction to nonlinear dynamics and complexity Stephen J. Guastello and Larry S. Liebovitch
2. Collective intelligence: observations and models William Sulis
3. Neurodynamics and electro-cortical activity Tullio Minelli
4. Psychophysics Robert A. M. Gregson
5. Temporal patterns in perceptual behavior: implications for dynamics structure D. J. Aks
6. Embodied and embedded: the dynamics of extracting perceptual visual invariants Patrice Renaud, Sylvain Chartier and Guillaume Albert
7. Origins of order in cognitive activity Geoff Hollis, Heidi Kloos and Guy C. Van Orden
8. Nonlinear dynamical systems in developmental psychology Paul van Geert
9. Developmental psychopathology: maladaptive and adaptive attractors in children's close relationships Erika S. Lunkenheimer and Thomas J. Dishion
10. Psychopathology: a nonlinear systems view Wolfgang Tschacher and Uli Junghan
11. Coherence, complexity, and information flow: self-organizing processes in psychotherapy David Pincus
12. The dynamics of human experience: fundamentals of dynamical social psychology Robin R. Vallacher and Andrej Nowak
13. Group dynamics: adaptation, coordination, and the emergence of leaders Stephen J. Guastello
14. Organizational psychology Kevin Dooley
15. Complexity, evolution and organizational behavior Peter Allen
16. Agent-based modeling and dynamic network analysis Terrill Frantz and Kathleen Carley
17. Epilogue: psychology at the edge of chaos Matthjs Koopmans.

Subject Areas: Neurosciences [PSAN], Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR], Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology [JMM], Psychology [JM]