Summary
In this paper the concepts of theoretical psychology and history of psychology are examined. With regard to the former, a case is made for the Koch-Bergmann-Madsen conception of theoretical psychology as metapsychology. It is further argued that theoretical psychology as theory-construction may also be seen as metapsychology. Next, history of psychology is scrutinized. Two main approaches to the field will be dealt with: (1) the social-historical, and (2) the intellectual-historical (intellectual history, Problemgeschichte). It is held that from a systematic point of view the intellectual-historical approach has the advantage over social history that it may have a direct bearing on the discipline. Finally, it is contended that for this reason the link between theoretical psychology and intellectual/problem history is likely to be fragile. So fragile indeed, that the latter may be seen as forming part of theoretical psychology.
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van Rappard, H. (1990). In Praise of ‘Problemgeschichte’. In: Baker, W.J., Hyland, M.E., van Hezewijk, R., Terwee, S. (eds) Recent Trends in Theoretical Psychology. Recent Research in Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9688-8_31
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9688-8_31
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