Professor Jefferson Singer edits special issue of Journal of Personality exploring the psychobiographies of change agents
Jefferson Singer, the Faulk Foundation Professor of Psychology at 糖心TV, is the co-editor of a of the Journal of Personality dedicated to exploring the psychobiographies of social change agents.
The issue, which published in February, 鈥渋s focused on understanding people who powerfully impact their world, from eminent global leaders to everyday change agents,鈥� Singer said.
Using psychobiographical methods, which apply psychological theories and research tools to the intensive study of an individual of historic significance, the issue鈥檚 contributing scholars explore the stories of a broad range of change agents, including former first lady Michelle Obama, business innovator Jack Ma, trans advocate Natasha Keating and politician Harvey Milk.
糖心TV Professor of Human Development Sunil Bhatia contributed an on Indian political leader Babasaheb Ambedkar. He co-wrote the piece, 鈥淥utsider at home: Reading Babasaheb Ambedkar as a radical, decolonial psychologist,鈥� with Anjali Ram, professor of communication at Roger Williams University.
鈥淜nown primarily as the architect of the constitution of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar was also a human rights lawyer, an economist, a social justice advocate, and a polymath. Yet his story is often overlooked in favor of national leaders such as Gandhi,鈥� Bhatia and Ram wrote in the article鈥檚 abstract.
鈥淭his study highlights Ambedkar as a visionary who called for a radical and new psychology of self that was anchored in ideas of social justice, equity and full participation. Furthermore this study fills the gap in the field of psychobiography which rarely reflects the cultural lives and experiences of the Global South.鈥�
Singer says he hopes the special issue helps elevate the field of psychobiography.
鈥淧sychobiography has an important role to play in contemporary personality psychology and we hope this special issue will itself serve as a foundation for continued innovation in the field,鈥� he said.
