Psychology has traditionally examined human experience from a realist perspective, focusing on observable 'facts'. This is especially so in areas of psychology which focus on the body, such as sexuality, madness or reproduction. In contrast, many sociologists, anthropologists and feminists have focused exclusively on the cultural and communicative aspects of 'the body' treating it purely as an object constructed within socio-cultural discourse.This new collection of sophisticated discursive analyses explores this divide from a variety of theoretical standpoints, including psychoanalysis, social representations theory, feminist theory, critical realism, post-structuralism and social constructionism.Body Talk reconciles the divide by putting forward a new 'materialist-discursive' approach. It also provides an introduction to social constructionist and discursive approaches which is accessible to those with limited previous knowledge of socio-linguistic theory, and showcases the distinctive contribution that psychologists can make to the field.
Author(s): Jane M. Ussher
Year: 1997
Language: English
Pages: 272
Book Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Contents......Page 5
Notes on contributors......Page 10
Acknowledgements......Page 12
Introduction: towards a material discursive analysis of madness, sexuality and reproduction Jane M. Ussher......Page 14
Women's bodies, women's lives and depression: towards a reconciliation of material and discursive accounts Janet M. Stoppard......Page 23
Mental health, critical realism and lay knowledge David Pilgrim and Anne Rogers......Page 46
AIDS panic Corinne Squire......Page 63
Screaming under the bridge: masculinity, rationality and psychotherapy Stephen Frosh......Page 83
Adolescent bodies: boy crazy memories and dreams Janet Sayers......Page 98
The discursive construction and regulation of dissident sexualities: the case of SM Gary W. Taylor......Page 119
Framing the sexual 'Other': the regulation of lesbian and gay sexuality Jane M. Ussher......Page 144
Intimacy and love in late modern conditions: implications for unsafe sexual practices Helne Joffe......Page 172
Reading the bleeding body: discourses of premenstrual syndrome Catherine Swann......Page 189
Menopause: bodily changes and multiple meanings Myra S. Hunter and Irene O'Dea......Page 212
Anorexic bodies and the discursive production of feminine excess Helen Malson......Page 236
Index......Page 259
