This book is about the relationship between social psychology and the body. It starts from the assumption that questions to do with the body are of paramount importance for an understanding of social life. At first sight, this is a noncontentious statement to make, and yet a moment's thought shows that social psychology has had very little to say about this subject to date. Why should this be? Is it because the boundaries of the discipline have been drawn very tightly, focusing exclusively upon such things as attitudes and groups? Is it, perhaps, because the body suggests a field of study best left to biologists and physicians? Or is it because social psychology is well advised to steer clear of problems that draw us back from the social toward what are seen as the biological and the prehistory of our discipline? These were some of the questions that were in my mind when 1 decided to write this book. In addition, I was influenced by the experience of researching in the area of chronic illness. There is nothing quite like life threatening disease to point up mortality and the issues that arise from having to live with the constraints of one's body. Looking for theoretical ideas to help with this work led me to read in the literature of medical sociology."

In recent years the study of illness as experienced by patients has emerged as an approach to understanding sickness. Descriptions of the everyday situations of people with particular diseases, provide a commentary upon the nature of symptoms and upon the relation of the body to society. This approach stresses the biographical and cultural contexts in which illness arises and is borne by individuals and those who care for them. It emphasises the need to understand illness in terms of the patients own interpretation, of its onset, the course of its progress and the potential of the treatment for the condition.
Worlds of Illness examines people's experience of illness and their understanding of what it means to be healthy. The contributors are the first to offer this biographic and cultural approach in one volume, redefining the perspective further and drawing attention to its potential for questioning theoretical assumptions about health and illness.

`This book is a "must read" for all students of health psychology, and will be of considerable interest and value to others interested in the field. The discipline has not involved itself with the central issues of this book so far, but Radley has now brought this material together in an accessible way, offering important new perspectives, and directions for the discipline. This book goes a long way towards making sense for, and of, health psychology' - Journal of Health Psychology What are people's beliefs about health? What do they do when they feel ill? Why do they go to the doctor? How do they live with chronic disease? This introduction to the social psychology of health and illness addresses these and other questions about how people make sense of illness in everyday life, either alone or with the help of others. Alan Radley reviews findings from medical sociology, health psychology and medical anthropology to demonstrate the relevance of social and psychological explanations to questions about disease and its treatment. Topics covered include: illness, the patient and society; ideas about health and staying healthy; recognizing symptoms and falling ill; and the healing relationship: patients, nurses and doctors. The author also presents a critical account of related issues - stress, health promotion and gender differences.

This book is about the relationship between social psychology and the body. It starts from the assumption that questions to do with the body are of paramount importance for an understanding of social life. At first sight, this is a noncontentious statement to make, and yet a moment's thought shows that social psychology has had very little to say about this subject to date. Why should this be? Is it because the boundaries of the discipline have been drawn very tightly, focusing exclusively upon such things as attitudes and groups? Is it, perhaps, because the body suggests a field of study best left to biologists and physicians? Or is it because social psychology is well advised to steer clear of problems that draw us back from the social toward what are seen as the biological and the prehistory of our discipline? These were some of the questions that were in my mind when 1 decided to write this book. In addition, I was influenced by the experience of researching in the area of chronic illness. There is nothing quite like life threatening disease to point up mortality and the issues that arise from having to live with the constraints of one's body. Looking for theoretical ideas to help with this work led me to read in the literature of medical sociology.

"Prospects of Heart Surgery: Psychological Adjustment to " "Coronary Bypass Grafting" reports on a study of how patients and their spouses adjusted to the prospect, and then to the outcome, of coronary graft surgery. The focus upon patients' social relationships rather than upon individuals reveals that the way people bear their illness, and adapt to symptom removal, is part of a wider adjustment involving both the spouse and other individuals. The book offers, as one of its main contributions, a social-psychological approach to the study of illness in general. It sets out a new methodology which might be applied in a number of illness contexts. Using both qualitative and quantitative analyses, "Prospects " "of Heart Surgery" describes differences between smooth and problematic approaches to surgery as well as variations in the experience of rehabilitation afterwards.

Alan Radley has written a comprehensive book on the zen of dumbbell training. Developed is a thoughtful approach to dumbbell practice, with emphasis on natural movement patterns, deep concentration and technically informed practice. You will learn how to spice-up your routine with 50 "lost" exercises; including shoulder, body and triceps circles and various pressing, curling, squatting and bending moves etc. Both men and women can use the Zen of Dumbbell Training to attain their fitness goals. The how and why of dumbbell training is explained in greater detail than ever before, and laid-out is a well-defined path to physical perfection.

Incorporating material from medical sociology, health psychology, and medical anthropology, Making Sense of Illness explores the ways we cope with both short-term and chronic health problems. Author Alan Radley identifies--and assesses the impact of--our responses to illness, considering the possible mitigating effects of such elements as personal beliefs and emotionally supportive relationships; he also acknowledges the negative effects that stress, resulting from a variety of cultural as well as personal factors, may cause. With its clear and lucid style, this keen work relates to the reader's own experience. A comprehensive introduction to relevant research--and a critical commentary on explanations of health and illness in social life, this book will be essential reading for students of health sciences, psychology, and sociology "It is hard to imagine a more important project for nurses that trying to understand how people make sense of health and illness. This is a book that will certainly be of assistance in achieving such and understanding. . . . It is written in a clear accessible style but does not trivialize the issues, and the author provides a wealth of suggestions for further reading." --Nursing Times Agenda