Ecological Psychology in Context: James Gibson, Roger Barker, and the Legacy of William James's Radical Empiricism (Resources for Ecological Psychology Series)

Heft’s book is one of a kind as it weaves together a very satisfying mix of philosophy and psychology. Going all the way back to the roots of American Naturalism and the great William James, he traces the steps in the emergence of the groundbreaking -- and I use this term sparingly -- psychology of Gibson. While there are other clear expositions of ecological psychology, Heft’s contribution is unique in that he looks for common themes and areas of overlap between the work of Gibson and others in psychology and cognitive science. Thus, as the title suggests, what is most original about Heft’s book is how it situates ecological psychology in a larger theoretical context, before its emergence, as well as after. The writing is lucid and clear, especially since the author has the rare gift of being keenly aware of the aspects of ecological psychology that can be hard to grasp or unintuitive.For my part, I do have a minor complaint: the extensive treatments of Edwin Holt and Roger Barker could have been shortened. While interesting thinkers in their own right, neither is half as brilliant and original as William James or Gibson. Perhaps some of that saved space could be devoted to Dewey?The book was written fifteen years ago. I suppose it could be said that, as far as ecological psychology is concerned, the landscape of psychology has changed for the better, for many of its ideas has been absorbed into movements such as enactivism and situated cognition. Thus, the final chapter on the connection between ecological psychology and sociocultural theories would need an overhaul if the book were written today. Nevertheless, the theoretical connections Heft makes and the contextualization of ecological psychology is a joy to read. In sum, I highly recommend the book if you are as dissatisfied with the lamentable condition conventional psychology is in today. Heft has managed to bring together a most fascinating crowd of mavericks who can give you a few ideas.

very special book.