psychology-of-belief

Archive / Cultural References

Healing Sounds from the Malaysian Rainforest: Temiar Music and Worldview – Marina Roseman – 1996

This book explores the rich musical traditions and healing practices of the Temiar people of Malaysia, revealing a deeply symbolic worldview where sound is integral to well-being.
It emphasizes the holistic connection between music, ritual, and cosmology in an indigenous Southeast Asian culture.
Roseman’s work serves as a vital ethnographic record and contributes to interdisciplinary fields like ethnomusicology and medical anthropology.

Read More Healing Sounds from the Malaysian Rainforest: Temiar Music and Worldview – Marina Roseman – 1996
Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Heraclitus: The Cosmic Fragments – Geoffrey Stephen Kirk – 1962

This work presents a meticulous examination of the fragments of Heraclitus, exploring his philosophy of change, the unity of opposites, and the concept of the Logos.
It provides historical context and explores the philosopher’s influence on Western thought.
This is a scholarly resource best suited for those with an existing background in philosophy or classical studies.

Read More Heraclitus: The Cosmic Fragments – Geoffrey Stephen Kirk – 1962
Archive / Historical Sources

Huainanzi – Liu An – Various editions, often dated to the 2nd century BCE, with modern scholarly editions and translations available.

The Huainanzi is a comprehensive Han dynasty compilation of cosmology, mythology, philosophy, and practical knowledge. It reflects the syncretic intellectual climate of the era, showcasing a diversity of thought and offering insights into ancient Chinese worldview.

Read More Huainanzi – Liu An – Various editions, often dated to the 2nd century BCE, with modern scholarly editions and translations available.
Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

How Emotions are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain – Lisa Feldman Barrett – 2017, Pantheon

This book challenges the conventional understanding of emotions as innate biological responses, arguing instead that they are constructed by the brain based on experience and cultural context.
It bridges neuroscience, psychology, and cultural studies to offer a novel perspective on the origins of human feeling.
Barrett’s work has implications for understanding mental health, social interactions, and the nature of consciousness.

Read More How Emotions are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain – Lisa Feldman Barrett – 2017, Pantheon
Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Ignorance: A Case Study – Peter Burke – 1987

Peter Burke’s Ignorance investigates the social and cultural history of not-knowing, challenging the notion of ignorance as merely an absence of knowledge. It positions ignorance as an active, socially constructed phenomenon with complex functions within societies.

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Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Heidegger: The Question Concerning Technology – Martin Heidegger – 1977, Harper & Row

Heidegger’s seminal work challenges conventional understandings of technology, arguing that it’s not merely a tool but a fundamental way of revealing the world. It raises crucial questions about the nature of truth and the future of humanity in an increasingly technological age.

Read More Heidegger: The Question Concerning Technology – Martin Heidegger – 1977, Harper & Row
Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Images of Deviance – Stanley Cohen – 1972, Penguin Books

Cohen’s seminal work explores the social construction of deviance, demonstrating how media and societal reactions shape perceptions of subcultures like the Mods and Rockers.
The book is a foundational text in labeling theory and continues to be relevant for understanding moral panics and social control.

Read More Images of Deviance – Stanley Cohen – 1972, Penguin Books
Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Implicit Meanings: Selected Essays in Anthropology – Mary Douglas – 1975, Routledge & Kegan Paul

Mary Douglas’s collection of essays examines how cultures construct meaning through systems of classification and symbolism, shaping perceptions, social boundaries, and behavior.
This work offers an anthropological perspective on the underlying logic of cultural beliefs and their impact on social order.

Read More Implicit Meanings: Selected Essays in Anthropology – Mary Douglas – 1975, Routledge & Kegan Paul
Archive / Cultural References

Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Kids Living and Learning with New Media – Mizuko Ito, Sonja Baumer, Matteo Bittanti, Danah Boyd, Rachel Cody, Becky Hayes, Amanda Lenhart, Sandra Calvert – 2009, MIT Press

This ethnographic study examines how young people engage with new media, identifying core modes of engagement such as ‘hanging out,’ ‘messing around,’ and ‘geeking out.’ It provides a nuanced perspective on the role of technology in youth culture.

Read More Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out: Kids Living and Learning with New Media – Mizuko Ito, Sonja Baumer, Matteo Bittanti, Danah Boyd, Rachel Cody, Becky Hayes, Amanda Lenhart, Sandra Calvert – 2009, MIT Press
Archive / Books & Scholarly Works

Goddesses in Everywoman – Jean Shinoda Bolen – Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2014 (originally published 1984)

This book explores the archetypes of Greek goddesses and their influence on contemporary women’s psychology, providing a framework for self-discovery and understanding feminine energies.
It contextualizes the work within the second-wave feminist movement and Jungian psychology.
It appeals to readers interested in mythology, psychology, and women’s studies.

Read More Goddesses in Everywoman – Jean Shinoda Bolen – Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2014 (originally published 1984)