The plurality of object versus pluralism of conceptions on psychological theories

Unity (plurality) versus disunity (pluralism) has been a frequent conceptual debate about the existence of one or more psychologies. In literature, the debates have intensified with the series Psychology: A Study of a Science, edited by Sigmund Koch, between 1959 and 1963. At the end of the six publ...

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Bibliographic Details
Author: Gomes, William Barbosa
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2021
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
Repository:Memorandum (Belo Horizonte)
Language:Portuguese
OAI Identifier:oai:periodicos.ufmg.br:article/25462
Online Access:https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/memorandum/article/view/25462
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:unidade teórica
integração teórica
diversidade teórica
theoretical unity
theoretical integration
theoretical diversity
Description
Summary:Unity (plurality) versus disunity (pluralism) has been a frequent conceptual debate about the existence of one or more psychologies. In literature, the debates have intensified with the series Psychology: A Study of a Science, edited by Sigmund Koch, between 1959 and 1963. At the end of the six published volumes, Koch concluded that psychology is not a coherent science but a collection of studies, ranging from greater or lesser scientific rigor. Since then, the theme has been frequent in the few journals open to theoretical psychology, bringing propositions of unifying theories, defense of unification by areas, or claims that the greatness of the discipline lies in diversity. This article argues that the pressing need is not for theories that suggest modes of unity, but for criteria that point to possibilities of moving successfully between theories, taking into account the surprising implicit relationships among them.