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In Over Our Heads: The Mental Demands of Modern Life,Used
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If contemporary culture were a school, with all the tasks and expectations meted out by modern life as its curriculum, would anyone graduate? In the spirit of a sympathetic teacher, Robert Kegan guides us through this tricky curriculum, assessing the fit between its complex demands and our mental capacities, and showing what happens when we find ourselves, as we so often do, in over our heads. In this dazzling intellectual tour, he completely reintroduces us to the psychological landscape of our private and public lives.A decade ago in The Evolving Self, Kegan presented a dynamic view of the development of human consciousness. Here he applies this widely acclaimed theory to the mental complexity of adulthood. As parents and partners, employees and bosses, citizens and leaders, we constantly confront a bewildering array of expectations, prescriptions, claims, and demands, as well as an equally confusing assortment of expert opinions that tell us what each of these roles entails. Surveying the disparate expert 'literatures,' which normally take no account of each other, Kegan brings them together to reveal, for the first time, what these many demands have in common. Our frequent frustration in trying to meet these complex and often conflicting claims results, he shows us, from a mismatch between the way we ordinarily know the world and the way we are unwittingly expected to understand it.In Over Our Heads provides us entirely fresh perspectives on a number of cultural controversiesthe 'abstinence vs. safe sex' debate, the diversity movement, communication across genders, the meaning of postmodernism. What emerges in these pages is a theory of evolving ways of knowing that allows us to view adult development much as we view child development, as an openended process born of the dynamic interaction of cultural demands and emerging mental capabilities. If our culture is to be a good 'school,' as Kegan suggests, it must offer, along with a challenging curriculum, the guidance and support that we clearly need to master this coursea need that this lucid and richly argued book begins to meet.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'In Over Our Heads'? A: 'In Over Our Heads' explores the mental demands of modern life, examining how contemporary culture's expectations challenge our mental capacities and the psychological landscape of our lives.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The book is authored by Robert Kegan, a well-respected psychologist known for his work on human development and consciousness.
- Q: What kind of condition is the book in? A: This is a used book in good condition, specifically rated as 'VeryGood'.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'In Over Our Heads'? A: The book was published on January 1, 1994.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: 'In Over Our Heads' contains 414 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in hardcover binding.
- Q: What categories does this book fall under? A: 'In Over Our Heads' is categorized under Psychology & Counseling.
- Q: Is this book suitable for understanding adult development? A: Yes, the book provides insights into adult development, comparing it to child development, and offers a theory of evolving ways of knowing.
- Q: What kind of insights can readers expect from this book? A: Readers can expect fresh perspectives on cultural controversies and a comprehensive understanding of the complex demands of modern life.
- Q: Does the book address any specific cultural debates? A: Yes, it discusses cultural debates such as the 'abstinence vs. safe sex' debate and the diversity movement, providing a unique analysis of these issues.