A New Narrative for Psychology focuses on how we study and think about persons and the goals of psychological understanding. By critiquing contemporary variable-centered and statistical methods, this book investigates what these approaches leave unexplored by presenting a cutting-edge perspective for theorizing and studying the thorny problem of human meaning making.

Acknowledgements Dedication PART ONE Introduction: What's the Problem? Chapter 1: Out of Context Chapter 2: Out of the Head PART TWO Chapter 3: Turning to Narrative Chapter 4: How Narrating Functions Chapter 5: Making It SoEL PART THREE Chapter 6: Interpreting Interpretations Chapter 7: Interpreting Ben's Survival Chapter 8: Interpretation in Practice Chapter 9: Reasoned Interpretations Conclusion: Unity in Psychology? References

"Schiff's book has the ambitious aim to re-introduce narrative as the general theory and method for psychological research... The work's greatest strength is its vividness. By using examples of everyday life, couple stories, or a conversation between a mother and her son, Schiff involves the reader and gives him a clear understanding of his advocated manner of working. An important contribution to the debate on contemporary psychology's future." -- KULT Online "Readers with a more philosophically and historically grounded understanding of what scientific psychology can and should be (and, in some relatively small circles, has long been and continues to be) will find Schiff's perspective on narrative psychology at once theoretically invigorating and methodologically liberating. In the present author's view, this makes A New Narrative for Psychology a most commendable addition to the literature." -- Theory & Psychology "In this lucid and thoughtful book, Brian Schiff makes a forceful argument for why a narrative perspective is necessary for scientific psychology. His ideas are provocative, timely, and sure to evoke lively debate." --Ruthellen Josselson, Professor of Psychology, Fielding Graduate University "Brian Schiff embarks on rejuvenating the famous project of narrative psychology; and while doing so, he manages to reshape the entire discipline of psychology. Schiff 's argument is brilliant and provocative, as it is convincing and called for. This book inspires and launches discussion about the future of psychology, and narrative studies in all corners of human sciences." --Matti Hyvärinen, Professor of Sociology, University of Tampere "An insightful, eminently readable critique of the modus operandi of mainstream psychology, and a clarion call for the discipline to tackle its central mission, how, as persons, we make and re-make meaning of our lives and our relationships day in and day out-a process that is nothing if not narrative at heart." --William L. Randall, Professor of Gerontology, St. Thomas University "Across the professions, we now place a premium on 'evidence-based practice.' In academic life, we now place a premium on the scholarship of teaching and learning. Professor Schiff's [book] articulates a liberal arts AND sciences method to deepen [students'] adventure in learning." --Thomas V. McGovern, review in PsycCRITIQUES "The book by Brian Schiff reminds us that the debate over the nature of psychology as a science, and as having a potential contribution to solving many human problems, continues...The continuing dominance of positivist approaches within psychology can for some be dispiriting, but the parallel growth of interest in qualitative methods is surely a sign that that the debate continues. However, as the discipline has grown in diversity, there is the prospect of it splintering into different disciplines. Schiff's book is an enthusiastic call for a form of integration based upon placing narrative meaning making at its centre. Narrative is the spectre which is haunting psychology, and Schiff argues that it offers the prospect of a refreshed discipline...Schiff's book...is a call for a psychology which is human centred but is self-critical and concerned about its potential impact in the world. While much of contemporary psychology attempts to strengthen its foundations with ever more concern for detailed statistical methods, Schiff offers a more imaginative and exciting guide." --Narrative Works

Selling point: Presents the argument that narrative study opens the door to meaning in context as a core component of scientific psychology Selling point: Offers a solid and compelling history of narrative psychology to ground contemporary research and understanding Selling point: Engages mainstream psychologists in a conversation about the importance of narrative psychology as a scientific discipline

Brian Schiff is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Director of the George and Irina Schaeffer Center for the Study of Genocide, Human Rights and Conflict Prevention at the American University of Paris. A graduate of The University of Chicago's Committee on Human Development, Schiff's research uses narrative in order to examine the meeting place between person, social relationships and culture. Schiff is the 2016 recipient of the Theodore Sarbin Award from the American Psychological Association. He is editor of Rereading Personal Narrative and Life Course, New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, and co-editor of Life and Narrative: The Risks and Responsibilities of Storying Experience.

Selling point: Presents the argument that narrative study opens the door to meaning in context as a core component of scientific psychology Selling point: Offers a solid and compelling history of narrative psychology to ground contemporary research and understanding Selling point: Engages mainstream psychologists in a conversation about the importance of narrative psychology as a scientific discipline