2016, Number 1
Psychology. What to investigate?
Ribes IE
Language: Spanish
References: 7
Page: 85-95
PDF size: 125.17 Kb.
ABSTRACT
It is argued that scientific research in psychology can only be grounded on the questions framed in the logic of a general theory. Psychology lacks such a general theory, mainly due to prevailing conceptual confusion in its disciplinary language. Confusion derives from the assumption that psychological terms in ordinary language denote special entities or processes, and from erroneous identification of words with things and events. It is asserted that any scientific research methodology depends upon a general theory, so that there are no autonomous methodologies that by themselves justify or validate the research findings. It is pointed out the existence of at least eight different ontological paradigms and, therefore, eight different, immeasurable psychologies that, although using the same terms, raise different questions about non comparable psychological phenomena. Some problems of psychological research derived from this state of affairs are examined and some initial steps to overcome it are proposed.REFERENCES