Originally published in 1985, this book was an attempt at a comprehensive review of the psychology of action in various areas of psychology. It is also an attempt to bridge two languages and traditions in psychology: German and Anglo-American. Although Anglo-American psychology had had an enormous influence on German psychology, the influence had not gone the other way around at least not in recent years. Therefore, this book attempts to get the two traditions to speak with each other. The main article, from one language area, and the following discussion, from the other language area, together result in an extensive treatment of an action-theoretic approach in the respective psychological area; thus, both the main article and "discussion" should be read together.
Originally published in 1985, this book was an attempt at a comprehensive review of the psychology of action in various areas of psychology. It is also an attempt to bridge two languages and traditions in psychology: German and Anglo-American.
Preface. Action Theory: An Introduction Michael Frese and John Sabini.
Part 1: Historical Traditions and Phylogenesis of Action
1. " Purposive
Behavior" in Psychology and Philosophy: A History Maury Silver
2. Stages in
the Development of Tool Behavior in the Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Volker
Schurig
3. An Action-Theory Perspective of the Tool-Using Capacities of
Chimpanzees and Human Infants Kim G. Dolgin Part 2: Fundamentals of Action
Theory
4. Motivation, Intention, and Emotion: Goal Directed Behavior from a
Cognitive-Neuroethological Perspective Charles R. Gallistel
5. Anticipation
as a Basic Principle in Goal Directed Action Michael Stadler and Theo Wehner
6. Perception and Action Claes von Hofsten
7. The Role of Invariant
Structures in the Control of Movement Ulric Neisser
8. Thinking and Action
Franz Reither and Thea Stäudel
9. Action: Decision Implementation Strategies
and Tactics Lee Roy Beach
10. From Wishes to Action: The Dead Ends and Short
Cuts on the Long Way to Action Heinz Heckhausen and Julius Kuhl
11. The
Dynamics of Intention Virginia Blankenship
12. Goal Directed Behavior as a
Source of Stress: Psychological Origins and Consequences of Inefficiency
Wolfgang Schönpflug
13. Toward an Understanding of Efficiency and
Inefficiency in Human Affairs: Discussion of Schönpflugs Theory Richard S.
Lazarus
14. Action in DevelopmentDevelopment in Action Michael Chapman and
Ellen A. Skinner
15. Action-Theory Perspective in Research on Social
Cognition Rainer K. Silbereisen
16. The Role of Power in Social-Exchange
Relationships Michael Athay and John M. Darley
17. Some Contributions of
Action Theory to Social Psychology: Social Action and Social Actors in the
Context of Institutions and an Objective World John Sabini, Michael Frese and
Debra Kossman Part 3: Application of Action Theory
18. Activity: A Fruitful
Concept in Industrial Psychology Winfried Hacker
19. Multiple Goals and
Flexible Procedures in the Design of Work Donald E. Broadbent
20. Action
Theory in Clinical Psychology Norbert Semmer and Michael Frese
21. Missing
Links in Action Theory Eric Klinger
22. Rational Plans, Achievement, and
Education Jonathan Baron
23. On Problems of Rationality in Education
Wolfgang Schnotz Part 4: Postscript Epilogue Walter Volpert. References.
Author Index. Subject Index.
