A psycho-societal approach

Single disciplinary approaches tend to reduce the complexity of real-world problems presented to researchers. A psycho-societal perspective focuses on the dialectic between inner experience and the social conditions of people's lives, paying attention to the conflictual and dynamic nature of both psychological and social processes and their mutual effects on social action and change. Our members represent a range of social sciences including sociology, social psychology, psychoanalysis, criminology, cultural studies, education, social work and social policy.


Psycho-societal methodology

The method profoundly influences the understanding of the problems that the researcher addresses and therefore the application of the knowledge so gained. Our psycho-societal approach is able to encompass both people’s capacity for taking action and the constraints on action posed by their conditions of living. It is therefore particularly suitable to address change processes at a time of accelerating globalisation. These processes affect family, work life and leisure, education, health and social care as well as interpersonal relationships. Our research projects are located in these areas. Our methods include specially developed forms of data analysis and data collection, including interviewing, observation and group discussion.