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The Storied Nature of Human Life

The Life and Work of Theodore R. Sarbin

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Explores the life and work of Theodore Sarbin

  • Provides a commentary on changes taking place in the world of psychology

  • Focuses on the future of psychological theory

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
  2. The Life and Work of Theodore R. Sarbin

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. A Sketch of Theodore R. Sarbin’s Life

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 3-37
    3. Sarbin’s Way: Markers on a Long Career Pathway in Psychology

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 39-82
  3. A Selection from the Later Harvest of Sarbin’s Work

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 83-83
    2. The Narrative as the Root Metaphor for Contextualism

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 85-105
    3. The Narrative Turn in Social Psychology

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 107-125
    4. Believed-In Imaginings: A Narrative Approach

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 127-146
    5. The Role of Imagination in Narrative Construction

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 147-164
    6. Emotions as Narrative Emplotments

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 165-186
    7. The Poetics of My Identities

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 201-228
    8. Hypnosis: A 50-Year Perspective

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 229-249
    9. The Deconstruction of Stereotypes: Homosexuals and Military Policy

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 251-262
    10. Honor as a Moral Category: A Historical-Linguistic Analysis

      • Karl E. Scheibe, Frank J. Barrett
      Pages 263-288
  4. Back Matter

    Pages 289-321

About this book

This book sheds new light on the life and the influence of one of the most significant critical thinkers in psychology of the last century, Theodore R. Sarbin (1911-2005). In the first section authors provide a comprehensive account of Sarbin’s life and career. The second section consists in a collection of ten publications from the last two decades of his career. The essays cover topics such as the adoption of contextualism as the appropriate world view for psychology, the establishment of narrative psychology as a major mode of inquiry, and the rejection both mechanism and mentalism as suitable approaches for psychology. The book is historically informed and yet focused on the future of psychological theory and practice. 

It will engage researches and scholars in psychology, social scientists and philosophers, as well general readership interested in exploring Sarbin’s theories.





Authors and Affiliations

  • Wesleyan University, Middleton, USA

    Karl E. Scheibe

  • Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, USA

    Frank J. Barrett

About the authors

Karl E. Scheibe is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, USA. His publication record includes a wide range of topics from verbal learning, to theoretical studies on self and identity and in recent years, theoretical essays connecting psychology to the language of drama and the techniques of theatre.


Frank J. Barrett is Professor of Management and Organizational Behavior at the Naval Postgraduate School in California, USA. He has written and lectured widely on social constructionism, appreciative inquiry, organizational change, jazz improvisation and organizational learning. 


Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access