Routledge A Handbook of Visual Methods in Psychology: Using and Interpreting Images in Qualitative Research

This comprehensive volume explores the set of theoretical, methodological, ethical and analytical issues that shape the ways in which visual qualitative research is conducted in psychology. Using visual data such as film making, social media analyses, photography and model making, the book uniquely uses visual qualitative methods to broaden our understanding of experience and subjectivity. In recent years, visual research has seen a growing emphasis on the importance of culture in experience-based qualitative methods. Featuring contributors from diverse research backgrounds including narrative psychology, personal construct theory and psychoanalysis, the book examines the potential for visual methods in psychology. In each chapter of the book, the contributors explore and address how a visual approach has contributed to existing social and psychological theory in their line of research. The book provides up-to-date insights into combining methods to create new multi-modal methodologies, and analyses these with psychology-specific questions in mind. It covers topics such as sexuality, identity, group processes, child development, forensic psychology, race and gender, and would be the ideal companion for those studying or undertaking research in disciplines like psychology, sociology and gender studies. Review Praise for the previous edition: 'A Handbook of Visual Methods in Psychology establishes a major contribution to the growing body of theories on visual methods in psychology. ... The reader is presented with a great diversity of practices and methods of visual data ... [which] expands our understanding of the broad range of possibilities, constraints and of caveats that are in involved in visual practices in research methodology. ... The overall composition of the book is framed as an interpretive guideline by the editor, that enables students, practitioners, researchers and scientists easy access to the content. ... The wide-ranging content of this work offers a diverse spectrum of empirical studies and theories about the intrinsic strengths of visual approaches in psychology research methods that could be invaluable to social work educators and students.' - Kees J.M Van Haaster, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands, in The International Journal for Social Work and Social Care Education 'This book brings something genuinely new to the rapidly growing field of visual research. In fact, as a collection it provides a real step change in our understanding of the nature, the roles and the potential of visual research methods.' - Alan Bryman, Professor of Organizational and Social Research, The University of Leicester, UK 'The scope of this text is impressive. It spans a good range of approaches to analysis and theoretical approaches, and covers an engaging array of areas of psychology. What is really commendable is the interpretive framework provided by the editor in framing why and how visual materials have now – eventually – come into use within psychological research. This makes it a very welcome volume that addresses a current gap in methodological debates within psychology.' - Erica Burman, Professor of Education, University of Manchester, UK About the Author Paula Reavey is Professor of Psychology and Mental Health at London South Bank University, UK, and Director of Research and Education for the Design in Mental Health Network, UK. She has used a variety of visual-qualitative methods to examine lived experiences of memory, mental health and distress.