Macropsychology: A Population Science for Sustainable Development Goals

Macropsychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on understanding how social structures, systems, policies, and institutions can promote or erode psychological wellbeing. This volume argues that psychology can contribute more effectively at the macro or societal level by addressing grand challenges and global goals, using big data, and intervening at the population level. Contributors address various areas benefiting from a macropsychology perspective, such as mental health, personality traits and social structure, disability rights, food systems, and humanitarian work psychology. The book aims to recognize and give impetus to a neglected perspective within psychology, inspiring a paradigm-widening to facilitate greater involvement with social justice and human rights.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive volume makes a compelling case for the development of a macro perspective within psychology that effectively integrates social structures, systems, policies, and institutions. It emphasizes the profound impact that social structures and systems can have on psychological well-being, either fostering or undermining it. Macropsychology, as the book suggests, focuses on "understanding up," or how we can influence the settings and conditions of the society we inhabit. In contrast, traditional psychology has primarily been concerned with "understanding down," encompassing the behavior of individuals, groups, inter-psychic processes, intra-psychic processes, and neurological and biological mechanisms.

By adopting a macro perspective, psychology can make a more significant contribution to society at large. The book advocates for addressing grand challenges and global goals, leveraging big data, and intervening at the population level. By bringing together research from social, organizational, cultural, and health psychology, the book showcases a wide range of areas that can benefit from a macropsychology perspective, particularly those that are essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contributors address various sub-topics within the realm of macropsychology, including mental health, personality traits and social structure, disability rights, food systems, and humanitarian work psychology.

Macropsychology: A Population Science for Sustainable Development Goals seeks to recognize and promote a neglected perspective within psychology, while also inspiring a paradigm-widening within the field. It aims to facilitate greater involvement with social justice and human rights, recognizing the interconnectedness of individual and societal well-being. By adopting a macro perspective, psychology can play a vital role in shaping policies, practices, and interventions that promote equity, social cohesion, and sustainable development for all.

Weight: 539g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030501785
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021