A Visual Introduction to Dynamical Systems Theory for Psychology (Science Grontier Express Ser) [Paperback]

Frederick David Abraham (Author), Ralph H. Abraham (Author), Christopher D. Shaw (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Aerial Pr (November 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 094234409X
• ISBN-13: 978-0942344097
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,801,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Seminal Book on Chaos Theory in Psychology, September 12, 2006

By 

Robin Robertson "Psychologist and author" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A visual introduction to dynamical systems theory for psychology (The Science frontier express series)

This was the first book to explicitly describe how non-linear dynamics applied to psychology. In writing it, Fred Abraham drew on the 4-volume series on visual mathematical books on Dynamics, by Fred's brother Ralph Abraham (a pioneer in chaos theory) and Christopher Shaw. As such, it not only applied non-linear dynamical concepts like Attractors, State Spaces, and Bifurcations to psychology, it actually showed what such mathematical concepts looked like. Though chaos theory has been most useful for psychology as metaphor, the metaphor is immeasurably enriched by understanding - and visualizing - the actual under-pinnings of dynamic change. A difficult to find book at present, but well worth it for anyone interested in how non-linear dynamics is important for not only psychology but any of the so-called "soft" sciences.

5.0 out of 5 stars Abraham, not Shaw, September 28, 2011

By 

Robin Robertson "Psychologist and author" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Visual Introduction to Dynamical Systems Theory for Psychology (Science Grontier Express Ser) (Paperback)

This is Fred Abraham's classic visual introduction to chaos theory for psychology. This book was a bible for many of us in the early days when chaos theory was moving into the "soft sciences." Fred was the preacher who revealed its truths to anyone and everyone. Fred is a special person and this was (and is) a special book that anyone interested in chaos theory (or non-linear dynamics in general) should read.