Perspectives In Male Psychology

PERSPECTIVES IN MALE PSYCHOLOGY Discover a balanced perspective on men’s psychology in this accessible new resource Male psychology is a new field within the discipline of psychology, which focuses on men and boys. Male psychology moves us towards a more scientific and balanced understanding of the ­psychology of men and of boys, drawing on a range of perspectives, and away from an overreliance on social constructionism and preoccupations with notions such as patriarchy and privilege, too often seen in the narrative about men. In Perspectives in Male Psychology: An Introduction, two of the most prominent authors in this new field, Louise Liddon and John Barry, introduce and deliver an insightful exploration of some of today’s most hotly contested issues regarding men and masculinity. This book puts forward a balanced perspective that has been missing from academic and media narratives around topics such as child development, education, sport and exercise, the workplace, crime, the military, health and wellbeing, mental health, therapy, masculinity, and sex differences, and considers the role that evolution, biology, and culture play in shaping male behavior. This book will also help readers to better understand some key issues such as: Why there are controversies around sex differences research How bias in research has led to a distorted view of the psychology of men and boys The ways in which the mental health and other needs of men and boys are routinely overlooked In turn this helps us ask some important questions such as: If there are more similarities than differences between men and women, does that mean the differences are unimportant? How can we un-distort our understanding of men and masculinity? What are the best ways of identifying and meeting the psychological needs of men and boys? Readers, whether students or lecturers, will also benefit from the inclusion of our companion Wiley website containing additional resources to support the development of knowledge and understanding of male psychology. Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, medicine, and sociology, as well as established professionals in these and related fields, Perspectives in Male Psychology: An Introduction will also earn a place in the libraries of anyone interested in the psychology of sex and gender differences in various aspects of mental health and human behaviour.

"A lot has been happening in the world of male psychology in recent times and we are really pleased that you want to find out more and are joining us in exploring the psychology of men and boys from a fresh perspective. This book came into being as the result of conversations with psychologists at conferences and public lectures. Although I (JB) initially saw male psychology as primarily a mental health topic, it soon became apparent that the core issues in male psychology were themes that recurred all areas of psychology. For example, I was presenting research on the specific needs of men in therapy, and one of the findings was that men tended to want to just fix their problems, whereas women wanted to explore their feelings about the problem. A neurologist specialising in traumatic brain injury said this resonated exactly with what she saw in the sex difference in the recovery of her clients - all patients wanted to get their life back on track, but the female clients were more inclined to talk about their feelings during the process, whereas the men just wanted to get themselves fixed"--

What does it really mean to say that boys will be boys, men are from Mars, or that contemporary men are in crisis? Does modern psychology support or refute these notions? And how is psychological theory and research about boys and men used in society? The Psychology of Men in Context is an essential introduction to the field which challenges readers to examine psychological research on men, masculinity, and gender, and consider its impact on daily life, through everyday speech, popular media, political rhetoric, and more. The authors offer a range of lenses for studying masculinity, including biology, social learning, social constructionism, feminism, and intersectionality. Demonstrating how these frameworks can be used to understand research on pressing topics such as violence, health, and relationships, the book also considers masculinity in its broader philosophical and historical contexts, equipping readers with the tools needed to connect the psychology of men with other areas of social science. Exercises and prompts to help students relate the research to their own lives are included throughout. Designed for students at undergraduate and graduate level, but suitable for anyone curious about understanding the field from a more critical social scientific perspective, The Psychology of Men in Context is a valuable introduction to the history, current scholarship, and social implications of the psychological study of men and masculinity.

This Handbook represents the first concerted effort to understand male mental health in a way that facilitates a positive step forward in both theory and treatment. An alarming number of men experience serious mental health issues, as demonstrated by high rates of suicide and violent offending. Despite these problems, the study of male psychology has either been overlooked, or viewed as a problem of defective masculinity. This handbook brings together experts from across the world to discuss men’s mental health, from prenatal development, through childhood, adolescence, and fatherhood. Men and masculinity are explored from multiple perspectives including evolutionary, cross-cultural, cognitive, biological, developmental, and existential viewpoints, with a focus on practical suggestions and demonstrations of successful clinical work with men. Throughout, chapters question existing models of understanding and treating men’s mental health and explore new approaches, theories and interventions. This definitive handbook encapsulates a new wave of positive theory and practice in the field of male psychology and will be of great value to professionals, academics, and those working with males through the lifespan in any sector related to male mental health and wellbeing.

This volume synthesizes and evaluates major theories, research, and applications in the psychology of men and masculinities--a thriving, growing field dedicated to the study of how men's lives shape, and are shaped by, sex and gender.

Inspired by feminist scholars who revolutionized our understanding of women's gender roles, the contributors to this pioneering book describe how men's proscribed roles are neither biological nor social givens, but rather psychological and social constructions. Questioning the traditional norms of the male role (such as the emphasis on aggression, competition, status, and emotional stoicism), they show how some male problems (such as violence, homophobia, devaluation of women, detached fathering, and neglect of health needs) are unfortunate by-products of the current process by which males are socialized. By synthesizing the latest research, clinical experience, and major theoretical perspectives on men and by figuring in cultural, class, and sexual orientation differences, the authors brilliantly illuminate the many variations of male behavior. This book will be a valuable resource not just for students of gender psychology in any discipline but also for clinicians and researchers who need to account for the relationship between men's behavior and the contradictory and inconsistent gender roles imposed on men. This new understanding of men's psychology is sure to enhance the work of clinical professionals-including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses-in helping men reconstruct a sense of masculinity along healthier and more socially just lines.

This psychology textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the central themes and issues in lesbian and gay male studies. The volume reviews the published literature - from classical to the most recent sources - and compiles a collection of primary-source articles representing the best current research and theory. The text pays particular attention to identity development, gender differences, ethnic and racial variation, long-term relationships, adult development and aging. A conclusion calls attention to the need for new models in clinical practice, research and public policy.

"As Fresh as today’s headlines, as scholarly as cutting-edge research, as clinically useful as any volume can be, Men and Sex is a well-written compendium that is essential reading for academics and clinicians. It is the last word on this most intriguing and socially relevant subject of men and their sexual desires." —William S. Pollack Director, Center For Men, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School Coauthor of In a Time of Fallen Heroes: The Re-creation of Masculinity "A bold and informative book on a topic too long neglected by psychologists and other social scientists." —Lucia Gilbert Professor of Educational Psychology and Director of Women’s Studies. University of Texas at Austin "This is a truly important book. Turning conventional psychological wisdom on its head, these authors reveal that what we have long considered ‘normal’ male sexuality is, actually, a collage of pathologies — objectifying, nonrelational, aggressive." —Michael Kimmel Professor of Sociology, Suny at Stony Brook Author of Manhood in America: A Cultural History "In this excellent book, Levant and Brooks have taken a courageous and necessary step in exposing the pitfalls for men of nonrelational sex, and offer, in its place, a model of intimate and engaged sexuality. Just as women are learning to embrace their power, men can learn to embrace the nurturant and caring aspects of themselves. Ultimately, both genders will benefit from having a greater range of emotions and behaviors available to them, and their sexual experiences will be more gratifying and complete." —Dorothy W. Cantor Coauthor of Women in Power: The Secrets of Leadership