The Task of Theoretical Unification in Psychology

Paul F. Ballantyne,
Master of Arts thesis,
Department of Psychology
University of Victoria, 1991

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to outline a possible program for theoretical unification in psychology. It will be clearly distinguished from the Eclectic and Theoretical Pluralist positions. Part I examines three scientific 'metatheories' (underlying philosophies of science): Positivism, Metaphysical Pluralism, and Naturalistic Emergentism; and their historical influences upon the building of various systems and schools of psychology. The central issues of scientific endeavor in general and their implications for psychological science in particular are highlighted. Part II describes and assesses three recent views of theoretical unification in psychology; linking them to their respective metatheoretical foundations. The over-all attempt is to accomplish a nondogmatic analysis and unification of progressive trends in psychology, particularly those present in the functionalism of William James and John Dewey, the ecological psychology of James Gibson, and the Activity theory approach that has been developed in the Soviet Union and West Germany.

Chapter one outlines the positivist view of science and its influence on the methodology used in structuralism and behaviorism. Chapter two describes metaphysical pluralism which grew out of Kantian influences and which has influenced two recent influential theoretical psychologists (S. Koch and K. Gergen). Chapter three describes naturalistic emergentism (Darwin, Morgan, James, Dewey), and its influence on the early functionalist school and ecological psychology.

Chapter four critically reviews two recent attempts to provide a platform for theoretical unification in psychology Metatheoretical Constructivism (J.R. Royce) and Uninomic Psychology (A.W. Staats). Finally chapter five reviews the concept of Pluralistic Monism (C.W. Tolman) and its supporting influences of activity theory and dialectical materialism. A clear distinction is made among unity of science, unity of subject matter, and unification of theories. It is argued that the concept of activity provides the most satisfactory solution to the problem of relevance of psychological theories by providing a genetic [developmental-evolutionary] theoretical assessment methodology leading to a unified and concrete understanding of the subject matter for scientific psychology.

*Click on the following for selected extracts from the thesis:

Appendix 1: Basic Philosophical Choices, metatheory, and "theory assessment methodology" for a unified 21st century psychology.[Updated September, 2002].

Related Links:

Tolman, C.W. (1988a). Theoretical unification in psychology: A materialist perspective (pp. 29-36). In W.J. Baker, et al. (Eds.). Recent Trends in Theoretical Psychology. New York: Springer-Verlag.

Tolman, C.W., & Lemery, C.R. (1990). How to reconcile theoretical differences in psychology. New Ideas in Psychology, 8, 397-402.

Ballantyne, P.F. (1995). From Initial Abstractions to a Concrete Concept of Personality. In I. Lubek, et al. (Eds.). Recent Trends in Theoretical Psychology. Vol. 4., pp. 151-157. New York: Springer.

What is the proper relationship between History of Science and Philosophy of Science? A bibliographic survey with emphasis on Realism, Naturalism, and Evolutionary Epistemology. [Updated October, 2002]