Cultural Psychology and Qualitative Methodology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. Introduction

   • Carl Ratner

   Pages 1-11

3. Shortcomings of Positivistic Methodology for Researching Cultural Psychology

   • Carl Ratner

   Pages 13-52

4. Principles of Qualitative Methodology for Psychology

   • Carl Ratner

   Pages 53-92

5. The Cultural Character of Psychology

   • Carl Ratner

   Pages 93-121

6. Qualitative Methodology for Describing the Cultural Character of Psychology

   • Carl Ratner

   Pages 123-177

7. Qualitative Cultural Psychological Methodology and Science

   • Carl Ratner

   Pages 179-230

8. Sociopolitical Underpinnings of Positivism and Qualitative Cultural Psychological Methodology

   • Carl Ratner

   Pages 231-243

9. Back Matter

   Pages 245-262

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Qualitative methodologies in cultural psychology often lack the objective and verifiable character of quantitative analysis. Author Carl Ratner corrects this shortcoming by rigorously systematizing qualitative methods. The book discusses, for example, means of systematizing such subjective reports as interviews, letters, and diaries, which often yield valuable data that is not easily quantified. Ratner argues that "complex psychological phenomena are expressed through extended responses" and hence are best studied by new, more regularized qualitative methods that go beyond measuring simple, overt responses.

• cultural psychology
• interview
• psychology

• Humboldt State University, Arcata, USA

  Carl Ratner

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