Summary
The deterioration of empiricist metatheory raises the critical question of whether psychological theorizing is a progressive activity. By considering psychological theories as performative rather than descriptive, a new conception of progress is invited. Theories enable scientists, as social collectives, to carry out a range of activities. During a stabilization phase theories solidify certain ranges of actions within the community. During a transformational stage, they undermine the taken for granted, and open vistas to new forms of activity - both within science and society.
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References
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Gergen, K. J. (1982). Toward transformation in social knowledge. New York: Springer.
Kuhn, T. S. (1962). The structure of scientific revolutions. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
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© 1988 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
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Gergen, K.J. (1988). The Concept of Progress in Psychological Theory. In: Baker, W.J., Mos, L.P., Rappard, H.V., Stam, H.J. (eds) Recent Trends in Theoretical Psychology. Recent Research in Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3902-4_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3902-4_1
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