1. Philosophy of Science Issues What is a theory? Are theories capable of proof? What is a law What is meant by scientific determinism? What is the difference between fatalism and determinism?

3. Jones (1985) Waxing & Waning of Research Topics in Social Psychology Waxing: Social & political Zeitgeist Personal interest and characteristics of the researcher Power of a good theory—heuristic quality Convenient research paradigms Prestige of researcher/laboratory Availability of funding/editorial policies of journals/student interest Freedom offered by a new research area

4. Jones (1985) Waxing & Waning of Research Topics in Social Psychology Waning: Problem is solved Dead end appears Discovery of methodological flaws Research paradigms may be vulnerable to changes in ethical standards and practices

5. Kuhn (1962) The structure of scientific revolutions. Normal science: research based upon previous scientific achievements Paradigms: laws, theories, application, instrumentation providing models for research traditions Revolutions: the rapid discarding of an older paradigm and its rapid replacement by a new paradigm

6. Kuhn’s (1962) Model of Scientific Revolution Revolution Emergence of a new paradigm Normal science Data doesn’t fit ??? New cases appear New technology New measurement New world view Standardization Textbook popularization

7. Ring (1972): “Let’s Get Started: An Appeal to What’s Left in Psychology” Psychology should side with the powerless in society and do research to advance their interests Whose interests does psychology serve? Who funds psychology? Who hires psychologists?

8. Ring (1972): “Let’s Get Started: An Appeal to What’s Left in Psychology” Roles for psychology: 1.Investigation 2.Advocacy Relevant institutions: police, courts, prisons, schools, welfare bureaucracy, gov’t. agencies, mental hospitals, universities, etc.

9. Ring (1972): “Let’s Get Started: An Appeal to What’s Left in Psychology Research should have three components: 1.Description 2.Analysis 3.Criticism

10. Ring (1972): “Let’s Get Started: An Appeal to What’s Left in Psychology Research requirements for psychologists: 1.Journalistic ability to penetrate institutional screen 2.Broad sociological framework 3.An ability to describe and document the psychological effects of the institution upon its clients 4.A concern for systematic data collection 5.Development of alternative institutional arrangements (counter-institutions)

11. Is it psychology? Ring states that activism is OK when: Activism is undertaken for responsible, wealthy clients. It is to the individual’s (or profession’s) financial interest. Activism does not threaten the political order by suggesting an external causation for social problems

12. Kurt Lewin No theory without application, no application without theory Action research Founder of group dynamics Active in experimental psychology, personality theory, developmental psychology, group therapy, and applied social psychology.

13. Kurt Lewin No theory without application, no application without theory Action research Founder of group dynamics Active in experimental psychology, personality theory, developmental psychology, group therapy, and applied social psychology.

14. Qualitative Action Research (1992) Fine & Vanderslice Kurt Lewin is their model: the interconnection between theory and practice Research as change Researchers are passionate, political individuals which suffuse our choice of research questions, methods, interpretations and our writing Do we still believe in a value-free science? How does activist research transform the role of researcher? Is there really a distinction between the objective researcher and one with a position?

15. Qualitative Action Research (1992) Fine & Vanderslice (continued) Activist researcher assumes all research is biased or at least slanted in some political direction. Activist researcher is involved in the change effort. Data collection itself is empowering and a strategy for change—it is an intervention.

16. Activist researchers have these characteristics: Activist researchers assume all research is biased, or at least, skewed in some political direction. Activist researchers are involved in the change effort. Data collection itself is a strategy for change. Data collection itself is an intervention. Activist researchers involve all participants in discussing their inter-relationships and power differences. Researchers do not know more than those participating in the social system under study.

17. Some concepts from Fine & Vanderslice Q-sort methodology: a card sorting task where individuals sort cards (which are printed with personality descriptions) into predetermined piles which have a specific number of cards to be added. A distribution is therefore forced. Grounded theory: a research method in which the theory is developed from the data rather than the other way around Praxis: the act of engaging, applying, exercising, realizing, or practicing ideas. The practical application of a theory